One of the requirements for the Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) in Histopathology is passing the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) examination.

The FRCPath examination assesses your knowledge of your specialty and your ability to apply that knowledge in practice. The tests of theory, taken as MCQ or EMQ, short answer or essay papers in Part 1 of the examination, are designed to test the core body of knowledge underpinning your ability to practise in your chosen specialty.

The practical examinations, largely taken at Part 2, are designed to your practical skills and understanding of the specialty, and may include written tests in some specialties. These examinations are designed to test whether you can apply knowledge appropriately and safely to the practice of your specialty.

The FRCPath examination is taken in two parts – Part 1 and Part 2. When you have passed both parts you are deemed to have the necessary professional competence to practice unsupervised.

The Part 1 FRCPath examination is normally taken after two years of training in your specialty (or when your trainer thinks you are ready), while the Part 2 is taken after at least 4.5 years.

The Royal College of Pathologists accepts applications as soon as the forms are published on its website, which is always at least one month before the closing date for the exams. Information about exams in the following year is published at the end of November. The RCP confirms exam entry at the end of January for Spring exams and the end of July for Autumn exams.

For further information about this exam please visit the Royal College of Pathologists website www.rcpath.org.