National professional examinations update - January 2012

The GMC's Postgraduate Board has agreed to the way forward proposed by the Academy Assessment Committee.

In April 2011, the GMC asked the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) to lead discussions on national professional examinations relating to the currency, timing and number of attempts at the examinations.

In the meantime, we said that doctors already in specialty training, or who entered specialty training by 31 October 2013 would be able to have any valid passes in previously approved national professional examinations counted towards a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), even if they were obtained outside approved training.

In November 2011, the AoMRC, through its Assessment Committee, proposed an approach to national professional examinations, setting out a backstop position on the currency and number of attempts.

The GMC’s Postgraduate Board has agreed to this way forward.

For details of what examinations can now be counted towards a CCT, how many attempts will be allowed to pass an examination, and next steps, see national professional examinations.