Examinations and the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
Update - January 2012
In April 2011, we asked the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) to reach a consensus on national professional examinations relating to the currency, timing and number of attempts at the examinations with medical Royal Colleges, Postgraduate Deaneries, trainees, patients and the public and representatives of the NHS.
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 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.
What examinations can now be counted towards a CCT?
From now on, any valid passes in national professional examinations can be counted towards a CCT – even if obtained outside approved training - provided that the candidate enters, or where appropriate, re-enters, approved training within seven years of the examination pass.
This limit of seven years will be applied flexibly in individual cases subject to a detailed review of the circumstances. Examinations will not be counted towards a CCT if they are taken after doctors have completed their training programmes.
How many attempts will be allowed to pass an examination?
No candidate will normally be allowed more than six attempts at an examination, although individual Colleges may decide to set a lower limit. In order to sit an examination once the limit of six has been reached (or, if appropriate, the College’s lower limit) a candidate will have to demonstrate additional educational experience for each re-sit. Colleges will determine what sort of evidence will count in these circumstances but it will have to be relevant for all candidates including those who are not in UK training schemes.
Next Steps
The AoMRC is now working on a plan for implementing these proposals, which will set out details on issues relating to flexibility and where in the process the limits will apply.
Please contact your College for further details on their plans for implementing these policies and how they'll affect you.
Background documents