Part 1 FRCPath Microbiology

Updated June 2024
Please note - this information is given here in good faith. I checked the information from the RCPath website at the time of writing and put some of my experience working with examinees for many years. However, the information changes regularly, and the best place to check it is the RCPath website. I tried to provide references to the pages where the information was taken. Please ensure you cross-check for most uptodate information.

What is the FRCPath Microbiology examination?

FRCPath Microbiology is an examination organised by the Royal College of Pathologists to assess the trainees in the UK training programme (also called the infection training programme) who want to become microbiologists, virologists, or infectious diseases doctors/practitioners. Biomedical scientists (BMS) pursuing the HSST route also take this exam.

Microbiologists from other countries can take this exam as well.

What is the exam like?

There are two types of Part 1 examination: FRCPath Medical Microbiology and FRCPath Part 1 in Infection/ Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE).

1. Part 1 Examination in Medical Microbiology & Virology: This is for overseas-based microbiologists and scientifically qualified candidates. The Part 1 examination consists of 125 multiple-choice questions (MCQ). The three-hour examination is designed to test both knowledge and understanding.
2. FRCPath Part 1 in Infection/ Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE): The examination will consist of two three-hour papers of 100 single-best-answer (essentially, MCQ) questions. This is for trainees who are in the UK training in a UK training programme. Candidates can attempt this examination towards the end or after completion of combined infection training (CIT) or equivalent if training outside of the UK is required.

Reference:
Infection (rcpath.org)
Medical Microbiology (rcpath.org)
Regulations, Guidelines and Policies Documents (rcpath.org)

Am I eligible to take the FRCPath examination?

A. Requirement for FRCPath Medical Microbiology

If you are an overseas candidate, this is more appropriate, in my opinion, but please read all the RCPath guidelines and make your own decision. RCPath says-

• Medically qualified candidates are required to have trained in a recognised regional higher specialist training (HST) programme in microbiology for a period of normally not less than 12 months.
• Non-medically qualified candidates are required to have trained in a recognised training programme in microbiology for a period of normally not less than 12 months.

Reference: Entry requirements (rcpath.org)

The recognised regional training programmes are MD, DNB, PhD in Microbiology, etc.

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B. Requirement for FRCPath part 1 in infection or Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE),

Those who are training in the UK or wish to take FRCPath part 1 in infection or Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE), RCPath says -

"Candidates can attempt this examination towards the end or after completion of Combined Infection Training (CIT) or equivalent if training outside of the UK."

RCPath suggests that the following training is expected before a trainee plans to take CICE. If you are from overseas, assess yourself against this, as you will likely be tested on this knowledge or experience.

6 months of clinical infection consult duties

6 months of appropriate infection-related clinics where the major focus of the clinic is managing patients with infection. A combination of clinics could include:

• HIV clinic
• Viral hepatitis clinic
• General Infectious Disease (ID) clinic
• Travel clinic (pre-travel advice and/or returning traveller clinic)
• TB clinic
• GUM clinic
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome clinic

6 months of clinical inpatient care of patients with infection. During this period the trainee should have continuity of care of patients with infection and should be under the clinical supervision of an infectious disease consultant who is taking clinical responsibility for the patients (up to 2 months of this experience could be obtained at a specialised inpatient HIV unit).

Entry requirements (rcpath.org)

Can I ask RCPath if I am eligible?

Unfortunately, RCPath will not answer your email on this (see here); however, they will return your money if they think you are not eligible.

I am an overseas candidate; which exam should I take?

On your application page, you will see this information:

It suggests you should go for highlighted exams if you wish to do part 2

How long should I take to prepare for the examination?

This is a difficult question, as everyone is different regarding their background and knowledge of UK practice and the time they can devote to preparing for the examination. So I would say if you are familiar with UK practice, give yourself six months. From my experience working with overseas microbiologists, I consider 1 year safer. You will need good guidance on what to read.

Is there a curriculum/syllabus for this exam?

Yes.

Yes. It is the RCPath curriculum. You can find it here –

https://www.rcpath.org/trainees/training/training-by-specialty/medical-microbiology-2021.html

It is not easy to navigate. I have made a summary of the curriculum. You can download it here. Go to file, make a copy or download -

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Oj7lTeodg5CBvE6x2p4Vhtk8gDQCqO2rxWpsEObHnUo/edit?usp=sharing

Which book should I read?

A very important question.

I have made a list for you on this page.

Where can I find past papers?

This is an examination where you may not find a lot of question banks.

Look here for a list of sources where you can find questions.

What other documents and guidelines do I need to read?

This is an important question. If you are an overseas candidate, you must know how we practice in the UK. All the questions are made based on what is important in the UK. Answers are expected based on how we will manage the problems in the UK.
This is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. From my experience, you have little chance of passing if you ignore this fact.
You HAVE TO read UK guidelines and books.
Find a list on this page.

Is there a course?

1. RCPath offers an international trainee support scheme. It is not always available, so you must keep an eye on the site when registration opens. I have heard good reviews about this programme. You can find it here. https://www.rcpath.org/international/international-medical-graduates/international-trainee-support-scheme.html
    
2. Some individuals provide courses and mentoring. You can find this information by joining WhatsApp forums and asking about it there. Joining the WhatsApp forum is restricted. You can access it via our Facebook group.
   I neither recommend nor dissuade you from attending these courses - as I personally have not attended them.
    
3. Microregistrar.moodlecloud.com
   This is my effort to provide you with a website where you can find all the necessary materials for the examination and practice questions in one place. This is not a typical short course; it is more like a mentorship programme.
   You will find more information here.
   Microregistrar.moodlecloud.com

Can you give me any more tips to help me prepare for the exam?

• Learn about the exam well. How many questions, types of questions, how long will you get, what are the guidelines and recommendations for the exam, and what type of exam setting does RCPath suggest? Make sure there is nothing unexpected about the exam before the day you sit for it.
• Read the curriculum—make sure you list topics to read. Unless you do, you may forget something.
• Read the Oxford handbook thoroughly. It is your base. You must read it at least 2 - 3 times, every line. Supplement each topic of the Oxford Handbook with additional notes from guidelines, SMI, EUCAST, microregistrar moodle (if you subscribed)
• Do questions - past papers, learn infection, Moore's book, tutorial topic and moodle. Do each of these more than once. When doing questions, time yourself. I suggest 1 minute max for 1 question.
• When you do questions, try to pick up the hints in the stem to help you reach the answer. These hints are important. Highlight these hints in your book (Oxford/your note) or write down against the topic.
• Remember, this is a UK exam. Questions are based on UK problems; answers are expected to reflect how we manage cases in the UK. Even if you do something entirely different in your country, that will not be applicable here. Read UK guidelines and books. You can read US-based guidelines, but beware: US practice, in some cases, is different from the UK. Don't read CLSI, use EUCAST.
• Make your notes. When revising for the second time, it is easier to read your notes than the book. However, if your prep strategy is different, use that.
• Make a study group or study partner. You can discuss the subjects you read. Your partner might help you pick up points that you have missed.
• You must get as much help as possible if you are from outside the UK. Use social media, but cautiously.

Will working in the UK or a clinical observership improve my chances of passing the examination?

Certainly, you will know our common problems and how we manage them. This knowledge is extremely helpful. However, you must balance this advantage with the expense and difficulty of getting such a post.

I know many candidates who passed the exam without working in the UK. You have to be thorough and diligent. In my experience, being active in the forums (WhatsApp, Facebook) is important. Ask questions, and clear your doubts. Making a mistake in the forum is much better than making it in the exam.

Yes. It is an online examination.

Do I need to travel to the UK for the examination?

Please read this page carefully.
https://www.rcpath.org/trainees/examinations/regulations-and-guidelines/frequently-asked-questions.html

You will find answers to a lot of questions on this page

• How and when to apply.
• Fees and payment methods
• When will you find the date of the exam?
• How will you get your result?

There is also a section on that page for overseas candidates - "Additional Information for Overseas Candidates". Read it carefully.

Who can be my sponsor?

When you apply, you will need a sponsor. For trainees in the UK training programme, it is your educational supervisor.

As per RCPath, a sponsor should be your educational supervisor or the head of the department, or someone who has a similar level of involvement with your training. Ideally, he/she should be a fellow of the college. However, a fellowship of the college is not compulsory.

Signed sponsorship forms must be uploaded with your application form. Find up-to-date information here – https://www.rcpath.org/trainees/examinations/regulations-and-guidelines/frequently-asked-questions.html

Do I need IELTS or OET for the FRCPath examination?

No.

GMC registration is not needed for this exam. It is only required if you plan to work in the UK as a doctor.
PLAB and IELTS (or similar English language tests) would be necessary for GMC registration. It is not needed for this exam.

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Will FRCPath Microbiology help me to get a job as a microbiologist in the UK?

Finishing FRCPath Microbiology will not get you a job, but it will make it easier for you to get one.

Let me explain my understanding:
(One word of caution—the rules change constantly, and although I try, I may not know all of them. You must do your research. A good employment agency may help you as they direct you to the right path.

First, you will need GMC registration to work as a doctor in the UK.

By finishing FRCPath Microbiology, you can apply for GMC registration;
Every doctor practising in the UK must have GMC registration. There are various ways of getting a GMC registration - PLAB, sponsorship, FRCPath, other qualifying examinations, etc. Look at this page for more information. Completing FRCPath is one of these routes.
You may also look at the RCPath MTI scheme & sponsorship scheme.

Once you have GMC registration, you can join the UK training programme. However, in that case, you have to compete with local graduates in an interview process. Whichever level you wish to enter, you have to show equivalent competency. To become a consultant, you have to have CESR, which shows that you have equivalent competency to someone who finished their training in the UK training programme.

If you do not want to or manage to get into the training program, you can access the service route. Here, you can find a job as a trust grade or speciality/specialist doctor. Each has its requirements. See the RCPath position here.

Hospitals, when they advertise these posts, they set the criteria/requirements for you based on some national criteria.

These posts are advertised by individual hospitals when they are short of microbiologists. You can find the job adverts on BMJ and NHS Jobs website.
You must also apply for a suitable job and go through the interview process to get a job.

From these jobs, you can progress to become a consultant if you can get CESR, or you can continue to work as long as you want, or the hospital needs your service.

These rules and requirements may change; hence, you must check yourself for up-to-date rules and regulations. Some links that can help you -

• https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/working-and-training-nhs
• https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/before-you-apply/working-as-a-doctor-in-the-uk
• Search Results (rcpath.org)
• https://www.rcpath.org/profession/employing-pathologists/employing-bodies-information-for-the-rcpath-sponsorship-and-mti-schemes.html

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Do you have any more questions?
Please put your questions and comments below.