Full MRCP not required for ST3 training

28 October 2011

JUNIOR doctors applying for specialty training year 3 (ST3) places in England and Wales will no longer have to have passed all the examinations for membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) to be able to accept an offer of a post.

Candidates offered a post beginning in August 2012 only require passes in parts one and two of the written MRCP exams but not the part two clinical examination (PACES), BMJ Careers has reported.

But trainees will need to secure a pass in all three parts of the MRCP, including PACES, before the ST3 post actually starts.

A new results process to be introduced later this year will allow candidates to view their PACES results online within around 10 working days of sitting the examination (around 15 working days for overseas examinations). This move is part of a commitment to allow trainees enough time to take all parts of the MRCP and receive results in time to be eligible for ST3 entry in August 2012.

The college has also announced that fees for the MRCP examinations will rise from January 1, 2012 by 4.4 per cent, in line with the consumer price index. For candidates taking the MRCP in the UK next year, part 1 and part 2 will each cost £408 and PACES will cost £640.