In this work we present new results which illustrate the impact of hot carrier (HC) degradation on the low frequency (1/f) noise behaviour of submicron p channel MOSFETs. Submicron p channel MOSFETs were subjected to HC stress at a range of gate bias conditions, and the response of the low frequency noise was recorded. The results obtained are in marked contrast to the reported influence of HC stress on nMOSFETs l/f noise, and indicate that the measurement of 1/f noise is a useful tool for investigating HC induced aging effects in submicron p channel devices. The significance of these results to the use of pMOSFETs in analog applications is briefly discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.