Benefits of membership
The Royal College of Pathologists is a professional membership organisation with charitable status, concerned with all matters relating to the science and practice of pathology. It is a body of its fellows, diplomates, affiliates and trainees, supported by the staff who are based at the College's London offices.
Fellowship of the College is a widely respected indicator of specialist status and evidence of a commitment to high professional standards in the science and practice of pathology. Belonging to the College strengthens its ability to act on behalf of all pathologists.
Membership benefits vary by membership type, such as use of post-nominals or taking part in College elections and roles. The full range of benefits are listed below.
We support all members through the delivery of high-quality member services
Recognising your professionalism
- Receive a membership certificate
- Use of post-nominals, including FRCPath and DipRCPath
- Benefit from voting rights
- Listed on our professional register
- Invitation to an admissions ceremony
- Eligible for tax relief on annual subscriptions
Supporting your continuing professional development (CPD)
- Guidance and support on your CPD through online resources and a direct line to our CPD team
- A CPD portfolio tool to record and report on your CPD activity
- Appraisal and revalidation resources and support
Professional guidance at your fingertips
Benefit from a range of professional guidance to help you deliver the highest level of care, including:
- NICE-accredited clinical guidelines
- Best practice recommendations
- Cancer datasets and tissue pathways
- Patient safety awareness programme
- Patient safety bulletins
College publications
You can stay up to date on developments in pathology and access a range of publications from the College, including:
- Discounts on medical publication and journals
- Cross-specialty publications
- Specialty-specific publications
- Archived guidance and best practice documentation
- EQA reports
- The Bulletin, our College magazine
Related services include:
- Benefit from National Quality Assurance Advisory Panels (NQAAPs)
- Access specialty advisors
- Monthly President's e-newsletter
Events and webinars
Members can access our growing programme of events and webinars.
- Discounted access to a range of events and webinars
- Access to regional surgeries
- Attend our annual dinner
- Attend our medical examiner annual conference
We develop and maintain high standards of education, training and research across all pathology specialties
Professionalism
Voting members can help shape the work of the College.
- Stand for College Honorary Officer positions
- Stand for membership of the Trustee Board and Council
- Join the College’s specialty advisory committees
- Standing for the College’s regional councils
- Acting as an examiner for the College
- Author clinical guidelines as lead or co-author
Curricula and certifications
The College services the future of the pathology profession through:
- Delivery of up-to-date regulated curricula
- Training standards/guidance
- Recommend award of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)
- Guidance on trainees' Annual Review of Competence Progression
- New trainee welcome day/resources
- Undergraduate and foundation resources
- Foundation doctor taster scheme
- Medical elective small grant scheme
- Our pathology summer school
- Careers advice
- Recognition for Totum Pro card (NUS)
Examinations
The College provides internationally recognised exams.
- We deliver a range of examinations, by specialty
- Provide guidance and advice on College examinations
- Offer feedback on examination performance and appeals service
- Offer workplace-based assessments, and guidance and advice
- Provide educational resources through our Pathology Portal
Research
Members can contribute to the work of the College and support the profession.
- Contribute to the Pathology Portal
- Enter Hugh Platt foundation essay prize competition
- Enter Paola Domizio undergraduate essay prize competition
- Apply for the Percy Oliver Memorial Award
- Apply for the Percy Oliver Trainee Travel Bursary Award
We promote excellence and advance knowledge in pathology
Representation of the profession
Members can represent the College and are eligibe to apply for our award and bursary schemes.
- Represent the College on an advisory appointments committee
- Represent the College on outside bodies or organisations
- Benefit from the professional performance committee
- Eligible for entry to RCPath achievement awards
- Eligible to apply for trainee research medal awards
- Apply for Dr Neera Patel Travelling Bursary funds
- Access information on external funding opportunities and awards
- Eligible to apply for Foundation Fellowship status
Workforce support
Members benefit from the College's workforce and workload planning. This includes:
- Staffing and workload guidance
- Model job descriptions and guidance
- Terms and conditions schedules for roles
- Our job description review service
- Eligibility to act as an appointment committee assessor
- Access to interview panel assessor attendance service
- Access to invited reviews service to evaluate a service/practice
International support
The College has a dedicated International team who provides a range of services for our international members, which include:
- Acting as a professional sponsor for the medical training initiative
- Assisting with applications to the international sponsorship scheme
- Providing a range of resources, including webinars and lecture series
- Supporting international events and meetings
We increase the College’s influence through a clear, coherent, professional voice
Publications
Members can contribute to the College and share their expertise and work.
Professional engagement
The College works for the collective voice of its members by engaging with:
- UK government consultations
- National Institue for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) consultations
- Governmental bodies and organisations
- Non-departmental government bodies
- External medical profession bodies/agencies
The College also conducts an annual workforce survey and produces workforce data and reports.
Public engagement
The College celebrates and promotes pathology and the contribution pathologists make to healthcare. Members can access a range of resources.
- Guidance on running online events
- A range of event templates
- A range of free pathology resources and activity packs
- Advice on working with local media
- Marketing materials, including A–Z fliers, factsheets, handouts, posters
- Photography consent forms
- Guidance on giving presentations and running quizzes
- A range of public engagement promotional videos
- Guidance on evaluating your public engagement event
- Event attendance certificate templates
- Feedback questionnaires, and a comment card template
- Eligible for entry to science communication prize award
- Volunteer for our Pathology Ambassador Scheme
Please use the links below to find out more about becoming a member of the College.
Membership types and how to apply
Tax relief for your membership subscription
You can also contact the Membership team by email or by calling 0207 451 6756 / 0207 451 6750 if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to the College.