Membership exams

In order to complete specialty training you will need, in some cases, to pass relevant membership exams. These are widely regarded as challenging, and some candidates may need to sit exams more than once to be successful. You must also be aware of the demands of combining a full-time job with the level of study required to pass these exams.

Membership exams are offered by the following Royal Colleges, colleges and faculties responsible for groups of specialties. You are required to pass membership exams to gain the qualifications indicated below.

• anaesthetics (FRCA) [1]
• emergency medicine (MCEM) [2]
• general practitioners (nMRCGP) [3]
• obstetrics and gynaecology (MRCOG) [4]
• occupational medicine (MFOM [5])
• ophthalmology (MRCOphth) [6]
• paediatrics and child health (MRCPCH) [7]
• pathologists (FRCPath) [8]
• physicians (MRCP) [9]
• psychiatry (MRCPsych) [10]
• public health (MFPH) [11]
• radiology (FRCR) [12]
• surgeons (MRCS) [13]

(M = member, F = Fellow, n = new)

• What are the exams like?

  The majority of exams consist of a:

  • written exam – to test your knowledge of the science behind a particular specialty
  • clinical exams – to assess your competency in history-taking, communication skills and examination of patients. These use real patients, actors or video.  

• How much will it cost?

  Check individual Royal Colleges, colleges and faculties for fees.