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Minimising cost

The College is committed to minimising the cost of training, assessment and examinations commensurate with maintaining the high quality of training programmes and an appropriate standard for trainees completing training and entering the professions.

The Royal College of Pathologists is almost uniquely placed among medical Royal Colleges in that it has a long history of running examinations and providing membership for both medical and non-medical trainees, including Clinical Scientists, veterinary pathologists and oral pathologists. It is one of the very few multi-professional medical Royal Colleges. Therefore the issue of the cost of training affects both medical trainees and all other trainees for whom the College provides a service. The general principles operated by the College in respect of trainees are as follows:

  • The cost of the Fellowship examination (equivalent to one attempt each at the FRCPath Part 1 and FRCPath Part 2) is the same for each specialty and profession.
  • Only medical trainees are required to pay a registration fee which includes provision of an e-portfolio.  Trainees are only expected to pay one fee at a time to the College. Therefore if a registered trainee chooses to become a Diplomate after passing FRCPath Part 1, they are not also required to pay the Registered Trainee fee although they will continue to maintain this status with the College. Trainees should note that it is not mandatory to become a Diplomate upon passing the FRCPath Part 1 examination.
  • The Registered Trainee fee is capped at a maximum of 5 years to ensure that less than full-time trainees do not pay more than their full-time colleagues. The cap does not apply however if a trainee chooses to become a Diplomate.
  • Trainees on maternity leave can have some or all of their Registered Trainee fee removed for the respective period while continuing to maintain this status with the College.
  • Pathology specialty registrars who are UK tax payers are eligible for full tax relief for both trainee registration fees and examination fees following an application from the College to HMRC. Clinical Scientist trainees in an HSST programme are also eligible for tax relief on their examination fees. More information is available on the tax deductibility page.

In addition to the general principles above, the College also provides a range of other savings for trainees.  These include:

  • Notification of College scientific meetings and conferences at reduced rates and free attendance at a New Trainee Welcome day at the beginning of training.
  • A free copy of the quarterly Bulletin and all College mailings (including the monthly e-newsletter) for the duration of training.
  • Discounts on pathology titles.
  • Access to a TOTUM PRO card which offers discounts across a range of over 200 retailers.