Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) is a common membership shared between the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Physicians of London.

In the UK, the MRCP examination is recognised as an entry qualification for higher specialist training for doctors willing to become specialists’ registrars. It does not confer specialist status.

The MRCP(UK) Examination consists of three parts. In the UK it is usually taken during the period of general professional training (GPT) in medicine which follows registration with the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. GPT normally lasts at least two years. The MRCP(UK) Diploma does not, therefore, confer specialist status: in the UK it is recognised as an entry qualification for higher specialist training.

For further information please visit the MRCP website or contact us. You can also view the Frequently Asked Questions.

Membership of the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health (MRCPCH) is the examination for the Diploma of Membership of the RCPCH and is usually taken during the period of basic specialist training, which in the UK normally lasts for 2-3 years.

The MRCPCH is the normal entry requirement for Higher Specialist Training in Paediatrics. Each examination is taken in sequence, with success in one leading to a timed registration period of entry into the next examination.  Successfully completing the MRCPCH Clinical allows for entry to membership of the College. There are three sittings of each examination per year.

The MRCPCH does not confer specialist status. In the UK, it is recognised as an entry qualification for higher specialist training.

The MRCPCH examination replaced the MRCP (UK) examination in paediatrics and since June 1999 the MRCPCH Part 1 has been run and offered only by the RCPCH. However, the Part 2 paediatric examination will continue to be a joint examination between RCPCH and UK RCPs until the end of 2003 to accommodate those doctors who have passed Part 1 of the MRCP (UK) Paediatrics and have been given seven years to pass.

For further information please visit the RCPCH Website or contact us.

You can also view the Frequently Asked Questions.