THE cost of sitting membership examinations for the Royal College of Physicians has been frozen for 2014.
Fees for other royal colleges, however, are set to rise by up to five per cent.
The Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK has announced fees for part 1, part 2 and part 2 clinical examination (PACES) of its membership exam will stay the same from 2013-2014. Parts 1 and 2 cost £419 while part 2 clinical stays at £657.
The college said the decision was taken in acknowledgement of the difficult financial situation facing junior doctors.
The biggest rise in fees is being introduced by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The fee for their foundation of practice (part 1A) exam and applied knowledge in practice (part 2) exam is increasing by 5 per cent from £399 to £419. The theory and science (part 1B) exam and clinical exam fees are going up by 4.9 per cent to £405 and £639 respectively.
The RCPCH told BMJ Careers the increase was due to rising costs. The college’s Simon Newell said: “As with any exam of this calibre, the cost of hosting and facilitating increases year on year to meet rising secretarial, travel, and accommodation costs.”
He said the RCPCH’s move from written exams to computer based testing had also incurred costs.
The Royal College of Surgeons is increasing its part A exam fee by 2.7 per cent (to £493) and part B by 2.8 per cent (£894).
Other royal colleges have still to announce next year’s fees.
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