Making an application to sit an RCEM exam
To prepare for any RCEM exam, it is recommended that you review the relevant page(s) in this section, Glossary of terms used in RCEM examinations and engage with relevant material on RCEM Learning. Candidates agree to abide by all exam regulations and policies, including the Code of Conduct for examination candidates and applicants.
All exam applications must be made online during the published application window. A link to the application form will be made available at 10am UK time on the application opening date listed on the Exam Calendar and will close at 4pm on the listed closing date. Applications must be completed and submitted before 4pm on the closing date, late applications will not be accepted. You can sign up to receive email reminders about application window opening dates by clicking here.
All applications must be submitted online. The College does not accept paper applications, payment by cheque or card payments by telephone.
The application process takes some time to complete, so please apply well in advance of the given deadlines.
Before starting an application, please ensure you have familiarised with the ‘Before you apply’ section of our website and have all information and evidence available to complete the application. This includes:
Please ensure you complete all parts of the application form.
Please help us with our application approval process by ensuring your personal details (email, address, phone number and date of birth) and employment history is up to date in your RCEM account. Please also ensure that you have uploaded the correct documents (current medical registration certificate and internship certificate/UK Foundation Certificate) to your RCEM account. If you have not submitted them yet, they can be uploaded in your account. You would be also able to check you have uploaded the correct version of your documents and delete any duplicates or expired documents. This is also to remind you that they must be in English or a verified English translation.
Upon receipt, your eligibility for the exam will be checked in line with the published eligibility criteria. Confirmation will be sent within 4 weeks of the application window closing. This allows our team time to individually review each submitted application.
New exam fees and a revised fee structure have been introduced for 2025. There are now different fees for candidates based on membership status (member or non-member) and location (UK or international). Members of the College are eligible for reduced exam fees. To qualify for this benefit, exam candidates must be active members in good standing and have settled any outstanding membership fees. You can apply for membership online; once approved, you will receive a confirmation email. Your subscription will then be available for payment through your online account. Please be aware that it may take up to 24 hours for payment updates to reflect in your account. To take advantage of the reduced exam fees, it is strongly recommended that you apply for membership before the next exam application window.
There are currently no restrictions on the number of candidates that can take RCEM theory exams. Theory exams are delivered as computer-based exams through Pearson VUE’s network of test centres, see full details of online exams .
Once applications have been reviewed and had their eligibility confirmed, details for booking a Pearson VUE test centre will be shared.
Please see details about the exam’s Eligibility criteria.
There are a limited number of spaces for OSCE exams. If the number of applicants for OSCE exams is greater than the number of spaces available, candidates will be allocated using our Oversubscription Criteria. This will be undertaken once eligibility has been reviewed and we will contact you by email to confirm if you have been allocated a space, with information on how to make payment and the required deadlines. Please note that if your payment is not completed by the deadline, the exam space will be offered to the next candidate in order of the Oversubscription Criteria.
Please see details about the exam’s Eligibility criteria.
The link to all application form(s) will be made available below on the application opening date published on the Exam Calendar.
No spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis – there is no advantage in applying early.
During busy periods, you may be temporarily redirected through a virtual queueing system to help ensure a smooth application process for all candidates. Our systems may be slower than usual when busy, so applying later in this application window may give you a better experience.
Upon receipt, your eligibility for the exam will be checked in line with the published Eligibility Criteria.
Application outcome will be sent by Monday 27 January 2025 to all candidates. This allows our team time to individually review each submitted application. Candidates offered a space for the exam will be requested to pay their fees by 4pm, on Friday 31 January 2025.
A full list of exam and application dates
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Regulations and policies including appeals, conduct & misconduct
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We run hundreds of examinations each year, supporting thousands of candidates across the world. For more information and how to apply follow the link below.
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