Specialty Certificate Examinations - SCE in Palliative Medicine launched
The Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK is pleased to announce that the Federation, in partnership with the Association for Palliative Medicine, is developing the Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) in Palliative Medicine. The first examination will take place in 2011.
With the launch of the examination in 2011, the SCE in Palliative Medicine will become a requisite for attainment of CCT for trainees in Palliative Medicine in the UK.
For more information about the SCEs, please see here.
The curriculum is published by the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board.
Specialty Certificate Examinations - UK trainees: postnominals
Trainees with MRCP(UK) who pass the Specialty Certificate Examination in their specialty and who are recommended for a CCT are granted the postnominal MRCP(UK) (Specialty).
Trainees who have joined a higher specialty training programme with a diploma from an alternative UK Royal College, e.g. MRCGP, MRCPCH, who pass the Specialty Certificate Examination in their specialty and who are recommended for a CCT are also granted the postnominal MRCP(UK) (Specialty).
Trainees who have joined a higher specialty training programme with non-PMETB-approved training, passed the Specialty Certificate Examination and are recommended for a CESR(CP) and in addition have passed MRCP(UK) are also granted the postnominal MRCP(UK) (Specialty).
Trainees who are recommended for a CESR(CP) but who have not passed the MRCP(UK) are not granted the use of the postnominal. They may decide to take MRCP(UK) and if successful will then become eligible for the postnominal.
For more information about CCT and CESR(CP) please see the PMETB website.
Specialty Certificate Examinations - A Whole World Of Choice: Overseas Applications Are Changing
Wider Selection – You Decide Where You Sit!
The Federation is offering a much wider choice of overseas venues for the SCEs. Previously, candidates who wished to sit the SCE outside the UK were able to choose from a small number of centres. Candidates are now able to request to sit an SCE anywhere in the world. Please note that, in the unlikely event that the Federation and Pearson Vue are unable to deliver an SCE in the specific location requested, candidates will be offered an alternative location.
Earlier Application Period – More Time To Prepare!
We recognise that candidates need as much notice as possible when sitting an SCE. Booking leave, arranging travel, not to mention revision for the exam itself, all take precious time. The new SCE application period gives you 2 months between the day you book and the day of the exam.
When Do The Changes Take Effect? – Endocrinology & Diabetes Go First!
The first application period to benefit from this new and improved system will be the 2010 sitting of the SCE in Endocrinology & Diabetes, which will open for overseas applications on Monday, 1 March 2010. Applicants to the SCEs in Respiratory Medicine and Neurology will be able to take advantage of this service from 2011.
What If I Don’t Pass First Time? – Free Resits!
We offer one free resit to every candidate who fails their first SCE. If you have failed in your first attempt at any SCE, take the next available sitting in the same specialty for free. This offer ends at the end of 2010, and free resits must be taken up by the end of 2011.
Notice to candidates in UK Training
Important information for all Core Medical Trainees applying for ST3 posts commencing August 2011:
CORE MEDICAL TRAINEES MUST HAVE FULL MRCP(UK) PRIOR TO ENTRY TO ST3 POSTS FROM AUGUST 2011
The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) have accepted that from August 2011, possession of the full MRCP(UK) will become a mandatory requirement for ST3 entry into any of the medical (physicianly) specialties. Candidates currently in UK training should note that doctors entering CMT from August 2009 will not be able to exit successfully from the programme until they have the full MRCP(UK). Candidates expecting confirmation of any MRCP(UK) Examination results in time for application to ST3 posts will need to refer to the MRCP(UK) website for information about result release dates.
The last opportunity for candidates to sit and receive their results by April 2011 is expected to be:
MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination: 2010/3 diet (24 & 25 November 2010)
MRCP(UK) PACES: 2011/1 diet (main assessment period: mid February - March 2011)
Junior doctors may wish to note this information when planning their attempts for MRCP(UK) Examinations. Regulations for MRCP(UK), including entry requirements, can be found at www.mrcpuk.org.
MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examination - 2010/1 Diet Results Release Dates
For all candidates* taking the 2010/1 PACES Examination between 2 February and 19 March 2010 with the exception of Chennai:
- Results will be published on the results page of this website on 29 March 2010
- Results letters will be posted to candidates on approximately 9 April 2010
For all candidates* taking the 2010/1 PACES Examination between 27 and 30 March 2010 in the UK it is anticipated that results will be made available on this website on approximately 9 April 2010.
* with the exception of any candidate who requested that their result not be published.
For candidates taking PACES in Chennai and Kuwait examination centres, it is anticipated that results will be made available on this website on approximately 16 April 2010.
For candidates taking PACES at City Hospital, Birmingham on 19 April, it is anticipated that results will be made available on this website on approximately 30 April 2010.
For candidates taking PACES in Oman examination centres, it is anticipated that results will be made available on the website on approximately 7 May 2010.
MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES): Notice to candidates based in Myanmar
In order to meet demand, candidates based in Myanmar are advised to apply to sit the PACES Exam in the Chennai centre, where a limited number of places will be made available. Candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible following the opening date in order to secure a place as these are offered on a first-come first-served basis. Candidates should refer to the Centre contact details page for information regarding the submission of applications.
MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination - 2010/1 Results now available
The results of the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination 2010/1 (held on 19 January 2010) are now available on the website.
Candidates who have a MyMRCP(UK) online account may check their results within the Exam History section of their account. Candidates who do not have a MyMRCP(UK) account may register for one. Candidates who have chosen to have their result published on the website may check their results via the Results page.
Candidates who have now successfully completed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination may go on to apply for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written and/or MRCP(UK) Clinical Examination (PACES).
Results letters will be posted to candidates week ending Friday 19 February 2010.
Results will not be given out by telephone, fax or email. Please wait two weeks before contacting us if you do not receive your letter.
Specialty Certificate Examinations - Sample Questions
Sample questions for the Specialty Certificate Examinations can be found on the individual specialty pages.
They are available for the following specialties: Dermatology; Endocrinology and Diabetes; Gastroenterology; Geriatric Medicine; Infectious Diseases; Nephrology; Neurology; and Respiratory Medicine. Sample questions for other specialties are being developed and will be uploaded when ready.
MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination – Changes to the way candidates’ results are processed and reported
In April 2010 a process called equating will be introduced for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination, resulting in significant changes in the way we process and report candidates’ results.
Please note that equating will not affect the examination itself, and there will be no changes to the content, format or timings of the exam as a result.
For more detailed information please refer to: 
Equating MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination & FAQs
MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examination: Change to Application Period
This is to remind all candidates that as of 2010 all application periods for the MRCP(UK) PACES Examinations will need to be submitted within a three week application window. The opening and closing dates for upcoming diets can be found on the website examination dates page.
Candidates sitting the MRCP(UK) PACES examination in Chennai on 16-20 March 2010, Kuwait on 22-25 March 2010 and Oman on 18-20 April 2010 should note that they will be permitted to submit a prospective application for the June/July 2010 PACES Examination. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis and candidates who pass in Chennai, Kuwait and Oman in 2010/01 will not be subject to any administration fee for withdrawal if they have submitted a prospective application.
MRCP(UK) Part 1 and MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination - To be taken to India (New Delhi)
The Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians is pleased to announce that the MRCP(UK) Part 1 and MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination will now be held in India (New Delhi) at all diets. This will start from and include the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination to take place in April 2010
Doctors living and working in India, doctors with Indian nationality or doctors who can obtain a visa to enter India are eligible. Please note that obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the candidate and refunds will not be made for any candidate wishing to withdraw after an exam closing date due to visa related problems.
Please refer to the Exam Dates pages of this website for opening and closing dates for applications and for the actual exam dates. Candidates must apply online or send paper applications and fees to the MRCP(UK) Central Office by the relevant closing date. Application forms can be downloaded from this website.