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.

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 affiliate account

What is Diplomate membership? 

Diplomate membership is available to those who have passed the FRCPath Part 1 examination, biomedical scientists working in the field, and former Associate College members.  

Diplomate membership recognises these individuals and their contribution to the profession through use of post-nominals. Anyone who is eligible to take up Diplomate membership of the College will be entitled to use DipRCPath after their name for as long as they remain a Diplomate of the College. 

Diplomates can also access an extensive range of member benefits to support them throughout their career.  

The following groups are eligible to become Diplomates of the College: 

• Anyone who has passed the FRCPath Part 1 examination.
• Anyone who has passed the Certificate exams in Medical Genetics or the Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE). 
• Biomedical scientists who are current members of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), and have passed the Advanced Specialist Diploma in one of the following: 
  • Specimen Dissection 
  • Cervical Cytology 
  • Non-Gynaecological Cytology 
  • Ophthalmic Pathology 
  • Histopathology Reporting - Dermatopathology 
  • Histopathology Reporting - Gastrointestinal Tract 
  • Histopathology Reporting - Gynaecological Pathology 

Please note that Diplomate membership will be automatically offered to any individual who passes one of the FRCPath Part 1 or CICE examination. Candidates will receive notification of this with their pass letter from the College. 

Those who have passed the ASD from IBMS will need to contact the College and submit evidence as part of their application. 

Benefits of Diplomate membership 

As a Diplomate member of the College, you can access a variety of benefits to support you in your professional development. These include: 

• Post-nominals: You will be entitled to use the post-nominal letters DipRCPath, globally recognised credentials that showcase your commitment and expertise in pathology. 
• Member Handbook: search the College’s Member Handbook to find information and contact details for fellows and diplomates in your College network.  
• CPD support: UK Diplomates can use our bespoke CPD portfolio to record and report on your CPD activity, and access guidance from our dedicated CPD team.  
• Stand for College roles: With the exception of Council, Diplomates are eligible to stand for a variety of College governance roles, including on Special Advisory Committees.  
• College publications: Receive our quarterly journal the Bulletin, the monthly President’s Newsletter to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and events. 
• Useful resources: Access the College’s vast library of educational resources, including professional guidelines and webinars. 
• Discounts: Enjoy discounted rates for College conferences, events, and selected medical publications. 
• Pathology Portal: Support your continued professional development by accessing a range of useful resources through the College’s Pathology Portal.
• Professional representation: Benefit from the College’s representation in consultations with the UK government and other key stakeholders. 

How to Apply 

FRCPath Part 1 

If you pass the FRCPath Part 1 Examination, Combined Infection Certificate Examination or Certificate in Medical Genetics Examination, you will automatically be offered Diplomate membership. 

If you have previously passed the FRCPath Part 1 or Certificate examinations (in Medical Genetics/Combined Infection) and are not currently a member of the College, please email [email protected] with your enquiry. If you are eligible, your Diplomate membership will be confirmed upon receipt of an application form and online payment. 

Biomedical scientists

If you have passed an Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) from the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), you must submit the following to the College: 

• Letter/certificate confirming a pass in the relevant ASD examination 
• Evidence of current membership of the IBMS 

Once the letter/certificate and evidence of current IBMS membership has been verified, you will be sent an application form to complete and can then pay online. Diplomate membership will be confirmed upon ratification by Council. 

The deadlines for submission of evidence for IBMS members is as follows: 

• Friday 18 January 2024 for February Council 
• Friday 12 April for 2024 May Council 
• Friday 12 July for 2024 August Council 
• Friday 18 October 2024 for November Council 

Want to contact us?

If you have any questions which haven’t been answered here, please get in touch with us so that we can help. All enquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

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.

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.

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.

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.