Specialty Certificate Examination Frequently Asked Questions
UK trainees first become eligible to sit the Specialty Certificate Examination after entering year 3 (ST3) of specialist training but would usually take it during their penultimate year. Overseas candidates are eligible to sit the Specialty Certificate Examination after successfully completing all parts of the MRCP(UK).
The following specialties are involved in the Specialty Certificate Examinations: Acute Medicine; Dermatology; Endocrinology and Diabetes; Gastroenterology; Geriatric Medicine; Infectious Diseases; Medical Oncology; Nephrology; Neurology; Palliative Medicine; Respiratory Medicine; and Rheumatology.
No. There are no plans to cancel the MRCP(UK) Examination. Any rumours you hear which say otherwise are unfounded and untrue. The MRCP(UK) is an exam in General Medicine, testing both knowledge and clinical skills. The Specialty Certificate Examinations test knowledge in certain Specialties.
Yes, you must be logged into your own personal area of the website. You should then go to the Upcoming Exams page. Use the Apply button next to the Specialty Certificate Examination for which you wish to apply. If you are eligible to apply for the Specialty Certificate Examination you will prompted to update your current address and contact details before proceeding to complete the online application. If the Apply button is not active the application period is not yet open and we are currently not accepting applications for that exam.
You will be reassigned a new password if you enter your user details (current email address) into the Password Reset section of the My MRCP(UK) Sign In page. You will then be able to continue with your application.
What has changed about applying to sit the SCE overseas?
In the previous overseas application system, candidates were given a small number of specific centres and asked to select one. From 1 March 2010, candidates are given a wider choice of regions from which to select, and then asked to nominate a particular city in that region as the location for their test.
How soon after applying to sit the SCE overseas will I receive confirmation of my exam venue?
The Federation and Pearson VUE will confirm details of the test location within 4 weeks of the closing date for overseas applications. 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.
Do these changes mean the SCE will cost more?
There will be no alterations made to the fees, acceptable payment methods, or exam structure of any of the SCEs as a result of these changes.
How do these changes affect candidates sitting in the UK?
The application process for candidates wishing to sit their SCE in the UK has not changed.
Pearson VUE doesn’t recognise my RCP Code. What should I do?
Pearson VUE recognises your RCP Code in a slightly different format than that which you are used to. If you have a 5-digit RCP Code, prefix it with RCP00. A candidate with the RCP Code 12345 would thus quote “RCP0012345” to Pearson VUE. If you have a 6-digit RCP Code, prefix it with RCP0. A candidate with the RCP Code 123456 would thus quote “RCP0123456” to Pearson VUE. If they still don’t recognise your RCP Code, contact the SCE department.
The Specialty Certificate Examinations cover all areas of knowledge acquired throughout the training period. There are no specific textbooks but you should review what you have learned throughout higher specialist training. There are published curricula for specialties on the GMC website.
The questions are multiple choice 'best of five' format where a candidate chooses the best answer from five possible answers. The questions will usually have a clinical scenario, may include the results of investigations and may be illustrated. Questions are asked about the diagnosis, investigation, management, and prognosis of patients.
Sample questions are available for the following specialties: Acute Medicine; Dermatology; Endocrinology and Diabetes; Gastroenterology; Geriatric Medicine; Infectious Diseases; Nephrology; Neurology; Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology. To view the questions go to your Specialty page.
Sample questions for other specialties are being developed, and will be uploaded when ready.
The GMC website provides a list of acronyms and terminology. You might find what you’re looking for there.
Computer-based testing (CBT) is a method of presenting tests where the responses are electronically recorded, usually via a computer or a computerised electronic device. The computer replaces paper and candidates answer by using a mouse or keyboard. The results are also electronically stored and assessed.
Each Specialty Certificate Examination will be held throughout the UK at Pearson VUE test centres and in overseas venues not less than once each year.
Pearson VUE is the company with which the Federation has signed up to provide the Specialty Certificate Examinations. The Specialty Certificate Examinations are held at Pearson VUE test centres.
Yes, the test is exactly the same at the overseas centres.
Candidates are not allowed to take anything into the exam room. Pearson VUE will make a wipe-clean board and pen available for each candidate. For reasons of security you will not be allowed to use paper or pens/pencils.
Each Specialty Certificate Examination currently takes place once a year.
No, refreshments are not always available. You are advised to take your own snacks and water. These cannot be taken into the exam room but must be kept in a locker which you can access during the exam.
Payment for the Specialty Certificate Examination can be made via your My MRCP(UK) account with a credit/debit card, cheque or cash.
You will prompted to select your preferred payment method during the online application process. If you choose to pay by credit/debit card you will be taken to the page of our online payments partner, Streamline, where you will be prompted to enter your card details. It is very important that you do not click the 'back' button or close the browser window during the payment process. Doing so will cancel your payment and will cause your application to be incomplete. You would then need to contact us to arrange for us to take the Examination fee payment as you will not be able to make additional attempts at paying the Examination fee online.
If you choose to pay the Examination fee by cheque, send your cheque made payable to the 'Royal College of Physicians' with a covering note to the Specialty Certificate Examination Office. Write your name, RCP code and the Specialty Certificate Examination you are applying for on the back of the cheque.
Please do not send cash by post. You should instead visit the Specialty Certificate Examination Office in person to make any cash payments for which you will be given a receipt.
The fees received reflect that this is a high stakes exam. Many processes are involved to ensure the exam is of high quality, reliable, valid, secure and accurate and the fees cover these costs.
We are looking into this matter. The issue is not straightforward and is taking time to resolve. When a conclusion is reached the information will be made available.
The Federation has introduced a second sitting free of charge to candidates who fail their first attempt during 2008-2010.
Therefore all candidates who take the exam for the first time in 2008, 2009 or 2010 and who fail their first attempt will automatically be offered a retake at no extra charge. This offer applies to all candidates, in the UK and overseas, and has been backdated and made available to all candidates who have already taken the examination and did not pass.
What qualification will I receive for passing the Specialty Certificate Examination?
Candidates who pass the Specialty Certificate Examination will receive a certificate.
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-GMC-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.
When will the Specialty Certificate Examination in my Specialty be delivered?
The Specialty Certificate Examinations are being prepared and will be introduced from 2008 to 2011. They will be delivered on an annual basis. Please see your Specialty page and the Exams Dates section for more details about when the SCE in your specialty will be held.
When will the results for my Specialty Certificate Examination be released?
Within 2 weeks of the exam date, the results release date will be published in the Exam Dates section of the website. Results are usually released no more than 4 weeks after the exam date.
The Specialty Certificate Examinations were established in response to PMETB’s requirement to include an assessment of knowledge in higher specialty training (August 2007). Specialist Societies have worked in partnership with the Federation to develop a Specialty Certificate that meets this need.
Candidates are welcome to attempt the Specialty Certificate Examination as many times as they wish, subject to continuing satisfaction of the eligibility criteria.