Yes. The transitional curriculum will only be phased out once the last trainee completes training.

No. All curricula and examinations are approved separately by the GMC.

We are still working on the project aspect of the FRCPath with the GMC. For the time being, and until further notice, trainees are still required to complete the project as a requirement for completing the FRCPath. The current FRCPath guidance on the website is still correct and trainees should continue to adhere to this guidance.

The guidance is based on the GMC transitional guidance which outlines how the curriculum transition should happen. The College only has two years to transition trainees to a new curriculum. The CCT date of 31 July 2023 is based on the release date of the new curriculum which was implemented from August 2021.

Written guidance will be available in due course. Also, instructional videos will be made available later this year. The new platform is very similar to the previous platform in appearance, however, the new platform is even more user-friendly with additional new functionalities.

In the new transitional curriculum/2021 curriculum there are no stages anymore.

Regarding the projects, the advice is to follow the guidance that is already available on the website. Trainees need to ensure that they get their project proposal agreed as soon as possible and start working on your project. The College cannot confirm Fellowship until both the FRCPath Part 2 exam, and the project has approved. If the project will not be approved until after the expected CCT date, then the CCT date will have to be extended as a result.

Guidance is available on the Project section of the website: Clinical Biochemistry (rcpath.org) (see Part 2/Module 3 – Written Component Module)

Yes, as this follows the CCT date. If the CCT date is after the 31 July 2023, despite the ARCP taking place in December, the trainee will still transfer after their December ARCP.

Guidance will be provided about this for the new curriculum but for trainees completing their training on the Chemical Pathology (Metabolic Medicine) curricula, they should continue to follow the existing guidance.

If a trainee’s provisional CCT date is around 1^st or 2^nd August 2023, the College will allow some flexibility as to whether the trainee is required to transfer curriculum. The trainee/educational supervisor should contact the College Training Department (training@rcpath.org) to discuss further prior to confirming arrangements.

The new curriculum for Chemical Pathology incorporates both Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine and therefore indicative guidance will be the same for all trainees. It will be ensured that for trainees moving over, there will be indicative guidance for clinics.

For those completing training on the 2010 curriculum, it should be completed it within the rules of that curriculum and ARCP derogation guidance.

Trainees who have spent additional time in Stage C while waiting to complete their FRCPath Part 2 examination may, if they are on track to complete their training satisfactorily, spend reduced time in Stage D (a minimum of six months), and/or may accumulate evidence of competences during an acting up position within a defined training and development plan. Six months is the minimum period allowable for Stage D in order to ensure that trainees have been able to obtain suitable competencies in independent reporting prior to the award of the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and taking up a consultant post.  Please see the ARCP derogation guidance for further information.

The College cannot make any changes to the curriculum/exam without the GMC approval. Once the GMC have approved the changes, they will be communicated out to everyone.

Guidance is available in the Part 2 Written Projects Guidance on  the website: Regulations, Guidelines and Policies Documents (rcpath.org) and is reproduced below for ease of reference.

A PhD/MD thesis or equivalent may be submitted, together with confirmation of the award from the relevant university, as an option for the Part 2 examination in Clinical Biochemistry, Genetics, Haematology Clinical Science, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, Immunology, Molecular Pathology, Reproductive Science and Toxicology.

A thesis submitted as part of the Part 2 examination in any specialty should normally have been awarded during, or immediately before entering, training in the specialty and must demonstrate an ability to make use of laboratory and/or clinical techniques that are of relevance to the specialty.

Candidates should first submit the PhD/MD abstract, along with a full CV, for assessment of its suitability for the Part 2. Once the abstract is approved, candidates will need to submit confirmation of the award from the relevant university, a completed application form, and one copy of the thesis if requested. 

Candidates are advised to submit the abstract as soon as possible after registering for the Part 1 examination, to ensure that, should it not be acceptable, there is sufficient time to plan and undertake a dissertation.