Become a member

Becoming a member of the Royal College of Pathologists means joining our community of 11,000 members worldwide across 17 pathology specialties. We provide a range of membership categories to be inclusive of those who are working in or interested about pathology.

To find out more about the different membership categories, key benefits, eligibility and how to apply:

Undergraduate

Eligibility
Undergraduate membership of the Royal College of Pathologists is open to all undergraduates currently studying a relevant degree in the UK and Republic of Ireland for the entire length of their course. 

Key benefits

  • Access to members' area of the website (MyRCPath)
  • Discount for College conferences
  • Receive the monthly President's Newsletter
  • Access to Science Communication training
  • Access to the digital Bulletin, released quarterly

How to apply
Undergraduate membership is free for those who are eligible. If you would like to apply for Undergraduate membership, please complete the form below and return by post or email to [email protected]

Click here to find out more information on how the College supports undergraduates.

Affiliate

Eligibility
Affiliateship of the Royal College of Pathologists is open to anyone who wishes to be linked with the activities of the College. Examples of those who may wish to affiliate include: clinical scientists, research academics, biomedical scientists, and members of specialist societies. This list is not exhaustive; others working in a pathology discipline are welcome to affiliate, including overseas-qualified pathologists working in the UK.

Please note: those eligible for another category of membership (e.g. Fellowship or Diplomateship) are not eligible for Affiliate membership.    

Key benefits

  • Stand for College roles (excluding Council)
  • Bulletin
  • Discounts on College conferences and selected medical publications
  • Access to CPD portfolio (subject to conditions*)
  • See more...

*UK-based medically qualified pathologists, research academics, and scientists in career grade positions (grade B or C or AfC >=7) not actively involved in completing their training for the FRCPath will be eligible to participate in the College's Continuing Professional Development scheme. 

Create an account

Diplomate

Eligibility
Diplomateship of the Royal College of Pathologists can be obtained by either:

  • Completing FRCPath Part 1
  • Completing Certificate exams in Medical Genetics or the Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE)
  • Completing the IBMS & RCPath Conjoint Board Advanced Specialist Diploma
    • You would need current membership of IBMS and to have completed the Advanced Specialist Diploma Examination in one of following:
      • Specimen Dissection
      • Cervical Cytology
      • Non-Gynaecological Cytology
      • Ophthalmic Pathology
      • Histopathology Reporting - Dermatopathology
      • Histopathology Reporting - Gastrointestinal Tract
      • Histopathology Reporting - Gynaecological Pathology
  • Completing Diploma examinations in Dermatopathology or Forensic Pathology 

If you have passed FRCPath Part 1 and subsequently pass the FRCPath Part 2 examination you will become eligible for Fellowship of the College. You will therfore no longer be eligible for Diplomateship.

Key benefits

  • Use of post-nominals (DipRCPath*)
  • Access to the CPD portfolio (subject to conditions**)
  • Stand for College roles (excluding Council)
  • Access to the digital Bulletin, published quarterly
  • Discounts on College conferences and selected medical publications
  • Access to the RCPath research publishing gateway
  • See more...

*For holders of the Diploma in Dermatopathology or Forensic Pathology post-nominals will be denoted as DipRCPath Dermatopathology or DipRCPath Forensic Pathology

**UK-based medically qualified pathologists, research academics, and scientists in career grade positions (grade B or C or AfC >=7) not actively involved in completing their training for the FRCPath will be eligible to participate in the College's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme. 

There have been changes to the eligibility criteria for Diplomate membership. If you think you are now eligible for this category based on the above eligibility criteria, please email [email protected]

 

Fellow

Eligibility
Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists can be obtained through:

  • Examination (FRCPath Part 1 and Part 2)
  • Published Works 
  • Fellows by election (for accomplished medical practitioners or scientists):
    • Admission to fellowship under this route cannot be used as an alternative to fellowship by examination or published works for whom one of these would be appropriate.

Key benefits

  • Use of post-nominals (FRCPath)
  • Access to the CPD portfolio
  • Vote in and stand for College elections
  • Receive the digital Bulletin, published quarterly
  • Access to the RCPath research publishing gateway
  • Discounts on College conferences and selected medical publications
  • See more...

Honorary Fellowship may be granted by the College to those who have made notable contributions to pathology, and other persons who have shown distinction of a nature fit to be recognised by the College.

Medical Examiner

Eligibility
Medical Examiner membership of the Royal College of Pathologists is only open to individuals practising in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Gibraltar. It can be obtained through the following steps:

  • Completion of 26 eLfH Medical Examiner e-learning modules (Nov 2018 revision).
  • Completion of RCPath Medical Examiner face to face or virtual training
  • Demonstration of GMC registration

Key benefits

  • Use of post-nominals (RCPathME*)
  • Receive the President's Newsletter, published monthly
  • Discounts on College conferences and selected medical publications
  • Access to the digital Bulletin, published quarterly
  • Access to RCPath research publishing gateway
  • See more...

Medical Examiners practising in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Gibraltar will be invited to apply for membership upon completion of the RCPath face to face or virtual training.

Find more details about becoming a medical examiner here.

Medical Examiner Officer

Eligibility

Medical Examiner Officer membership of The Royal College of Pathologists is only open to individuals practising in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Gibraltar. It can be obtained through:

  • Completion of 26 e-learning modules and attending a face-to-face or virtual training day.

Key benefits

  • Use of post-nominals (RCPathMEO)
  • Receive the President's Newsletter
  • Discounts on College conferences and selected medical publications
  • Access to the digital Bulletin, published quarterly
  • Access to RCPath research publishing gateway
  • See more...

Medical examiner officers practising in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar will be invited to apply for membership upon completion of the RCPath face to face training.

Find more about becoming a medical examiner officer here.

Retired

Eligibility
To be eligible for Retired membership of the Royal College of Pathologists, you must have retired completely from remunerative employment and previously been a Fellow or Diplomate member of the College. You will continue to pay a reduced subscription fee. 

Key benefits

  • Continued use of post-nominals (FRCPath or DipRCPath)
  • Vote at a General Meeting and in Honorary Officer elections (Fellows only)
  • Attend the annual retired members' luncheon
  • Access to the digital Bulletin, published quarterly
  • Receive the President's newsletter
  • See more...

How to apply
If you are retired or about to retire, you must let the College know. Please email [email protected] to discuss your change of circumstances.

Please note that Associate membership is no longer available to new members. 

If you have any questions about your Associate membership please email [email protected]. If you would like to enquire about Diplomate membership please email [email protected]

Benefits of membership

There are a range of benefits to becoming a member of the College, including access to discounts on events and conferences, guidance and support on many aspects of professional practice, and access to the Bulletin and other regular publications.