The first exam in the FRCPath Histopathology series...  International histopathologists (or cellular or anatomical pathologists as commonly known) looking to secure a job in the NHS via the postgraduate qualification route will need to attain Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists. This can also be commonly referred to as FRCPath Histopathology.  The completion of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Royal College of Pathology qualification for Histopathology results in eligibility for GMC registration (with the addition of the English language component). The FRCPath qualification is recommended for overseas pathologists looking to securing senior jobs in the NHS.  The exams can be taken by IMGs from all over the world, provided certain eligibility criteria have been met. Here we’ll take a closer look into these and other important questions through the following topics:  An overview of FRCPath Histopathology What is FRCPath Part 1 and how is it structured? Changes to FRCPath Part 1 delivery Am I eligible to sit this exam? How much will the exam cost and how do I apply? What is the best way to prepare for the exam? #IMG Tips I’ve passed the FRCPath Part 1 exam, what’s next? Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you’re looking for.  An overview of FRCPath Histopathology  The FRCPath Histopathology exams are administered by the Royal College of Pathologists to test a doctor's knowledge and ability to apply this in the practice of histopathology within the scope of the Specialty Training Curriculum for Histopathology.  The exams are as follows:  FRCPath Part 1  FRCPath Part 2  To read more about the full FRCPath examination suite via our IMG resources, please click here.  Please note that only full FRCPath satisfies the requirements for GMC registration for overseas doctors taking the postgraduate route.   Alternative routes to GMC registration include PLAB and other licensing exams such as USMLE. You can find out more about alternative routes here.  For doctors who are interested in more senior roles in the NHS that are reflective of their current practice, we advise that FRCPath is the best route to take to GMC registration. Histopathology in the UK is consultant-led specialism; and many NHS job postings will have FRCPath as a requirement for doctors who are not on the Specialist Register.  FRCPath Part 1 breakdown  FRCPath Part 1 is the first exam in the Royal College of Pathologists qualification. It is broken down into three sections as follows:  The three-hour exam is designed to assess candidates’ overall knowledge and understanding of histopathology or cytopathology, including the full range of autopsy practices undertaken in a district general hospital in the UK and the basic science underpinning pathology, including molecular biology.  FRCPath Part 1 delivery  In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal College of Pathologists has migrated the FRCPath Part 1 exam online.  This means FRCPath Part 1 may be taken from the comfort of your own home. This development allows the College to continue to offer the FRCPath Part 1 exam to both UK trainees and overseas pathologists.   For full details about the online FRCPath Part 1 exam, please see our blog here.  Eligibility  Candidates for FRCPath Part 1 will generally require experience of Histopathology specialty training to reach the standard required to pass the exam. The Royal College advise that candidates take this exam after one year of specialty training.  Exam dates, applications and cost  The cost of the exam is £673 and the exam are usually held twice a year, in spring and in autumn/winter.  Applications for each sitting open a few months prior and close after around 6 weeks. While waiting for exam dates to be finalised the College advise that candidates should apply early and will be able to withdraw their application for a full refund should the date be unsuitable.  For up-to-date information on exam and application dates, keep an eye on the College website here.  Preparation  There are many resources available to help you prepare for your FRCPath Part 1 exam. As always, we recommend that the best starting point for your study is the Royal College website, particularly the Curriculum for Specialty Training in Histopathology. Your exam is based on this curriculum so familiarising yourself with it as soon as possible will give you the best chance of success.  Other helpful resources for your study include:  Regulations and guidelines – before applying for FRCPath exams, the College recommends you read both the general and specialty-specific regulations and guidelines, found below:  General Regulations and Guidelines  Histopathology Regulations and Guidelines  Social media study groups – there are multiple study groups available across different platforms such as Telegram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. IMG Connect hosts study groups for FRCPath Part 1 – these forums bring together overseas histopathologists in one communicative, constructive, and moderated space for learning, sharing, and support.  If you are interested in joining the IMG Connect FRCPath Part 1 study group, please email info@imgconnect.co.uk to speak to request your admission.  Online courses, videos and other resources - there are some great online courses and resources available to prepare for the FRCPath Part 1 exam. These include everything from full mock exams to flashcards and YouTube videos. We’ve compiled all these which you can access here, through our IMG Resources library.  FAQs - There is also a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which the Royal College has compiled to help applicants who have questions about online examinations. You can read this here.  #IMG Tips  Prepare early – getting your revision going as soon as possible will help you avoid those last-minute cramming sessions and increase your chances of passing first time.  Speak to your colleagues and peers – there are so many study materials to choose from - who better to ask for recommendations than histopathologists who have been through the process or are going through it with you?  Familiarise yourself with the online format – there’s no bigger headache than a bad connection – go through your IT checks well in advance to avoid (most) hiccups on the day  Join the online histopathology community – connect with like-minded histopathologists and dedicated pathology recruiters in the IMG Histopathologists Facebook group.  I’ve passed the FRCPath Part 1 exam, what’s next?  Congratulations – this is a massive achievement! After a well-deserved break, it’s time to look forward to FRCPath Part 2. For more information on the final exam in the examination suite, take a look at our blog where we explore FRCPath Part 2 and everything you need to know about how to sit the exam, including syllabus, dates, results, fees and preparation.  For more useful blogs & articles on the FRCPath exams, registrations & qualifications to help you find your dream job in the NHS - take a look at our IMG library.  Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:             

The final exam in the FRCPath Histopathology series...  International specialists in histopathology, cellular pathology or anatomic pathology looking to secure a job in the UK via the postgraduate qualification route will need to obtain Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists or FRCPath Histopathology by examination only.   The completion of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Royal College of Pathology qualification for Histopathology results in eligibility for GMC registration (with the addition of the English language component). The FRCPath qualification is recommended for international pathologists looking to securing senior jobs in the NHS.   The exams can be taken by IMGs from all over the world, provided certain eligibility criteria have been met. Here we’ll take a closer look into these and other important questions through the following topics - skip to one of these sections if you know what you're looking for: An overview of FRCPath Histopathology What is FRCPath Part 2? Am I eligible to sit this exam? How is the exam structured and marked? As an international histopathologist, where can I sit the exam? How much will the exam cost? How do I apply for the exam? What is the best way to prepare for the exam? #IMG Tips I’ve passed the FRCPath exams, what’s next? An overview of FRCPath Histopathology  The FRCPath Histopathology exams are administered by the Royal College of Pathologists to test a doctor's knowledge and ability to apply this in the practice of histopathology within the scope of the Specialty Training Curriculum for Histopathology.   The exams are as follows:  FRCPath Part 1  FRCPath Part 2  To read more about the full FRCPath examination suite via out IMG resources, please click here.  Please note that only full FRCPath satisfies the requirements for GMC registration for overseas doctors taking the postgraduate route. Alternative routes to GMC registration include PLAB and licensing exams such as USMLE. You can find out more about alternative routes here.  For doctors who are interested in more senior roles in the NHS that are reflective of their current practice, we advise that FRCPath is the best route to take to GMC registration. Histopathology in the UK is consultant-led specialism; and many NHS job postings will have FRCPath as a requirement for doctors who are not on the Specialist Register. In most cases, and FRCPath qualification will help you to attain a locum consultant role.  What is FRCPath Part 2?  FRCPath Part 2 is the last exam in the FRCPath qualification. It is designed to recognise candidates who are close to the end of their training who can demonstrate an appropriate approach to independent practice. The assessment consists of six components which are take over a period of two days. The components include both written and face-to-face elements with an examiner where candidates are expected to demonstrate both clinical and practical knowledge as well as special techniques and complex diagnoses. Every section assesses a distinct set of professional skills which are all essential to effective performance ad an independent histopathologist and cytopathologist.  Am I eligible to sit this exam?  The FRCPath Part 2 Histopathology exam is open to candidates from every country, provided they have met certain criteria. This includes the expectation that most trainees will sit the Part 2 exam after at least 3 years of specialty training in Histopathology. There should also normally be a 12-month wait between passing the Part 1 exam and attempting Part 2.   For full details, please see the Royal College website here.  How is the exam structured and marked?  The six stations of FRCPath Part 2 are detailed below:  Surgical Histology   Format: 20 x 20 mins stations, 20 cases over 3 hours and 20 minutes.   This will include twenty cases presented in H&E stained slides in 20-minute slots over 3 hours and 20 minutes. The cases are selected according to a blueprint and include a balanced mix of neoplastic and non-neoplastic material, drawn from a wide range of organ systems. The cases will vary in difficulty from straightforward cases to cases not capable of diagnosis through a single H&E, prompting the use of further techniques and specialist opinions.  Cytopathology   Format: 8 x 20 mins stations, 16 cases  Eight non-gynaecological cases in pairs, in 20-minute slots and will be marked according to pre-determined criteria.  Macroscopic Pathology  Format: 2 x 20 mins stations, 4 cases; 20 mins discussion  Candidates will be provided with photos of 4 cases in the form of gross pathology specimens. Candidates will be provided with clinical information and asked to prepare responses to specific questions and mark on the photos where they would take blocks. There will be two 20-minute slots given to view two cases per slot, followed by a 20-minute discussion with two examiners. The exercise is designed for candidates to show their capabilities in discussing gross pathology and familiarity with block selection in relation to the RCPath Minimum datasets.  OSPEs  Format: 2 x 20 mins stations  The objective structured practical examination (OPSE) includes two 20-minute stations, one of which is a written exercise and the other is conducted face-to-face with two examiners. Topics may include management/ clinical governance type and MDT-type cases, amongst other topics.  Long Cases  Format: 4 x 20 mins stations  Four 20-minute stations of cases which cannot usually be covered by a single H&E section, requiring additional stains. These may include histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, among other cases.  Frozen Sections  Format: 2 x 20 mins stations, 6 cases; 20 mins discussion  Six cases for review in two 20-minute stations where candidates should make notes, including a ‘bottom line’ diagnosis only, before discussing these with a pair of examiners in a face-to-face 20-minute station.  Exam marking   Each section of the exam is marked against a pre-determined specimen answer with a pass or fail awarded per section. Due to the importance of cellular pathology in medical practice, only a small margin of inaccuracy is allowed. Failure to distinguish across the benign/ malignant boundary (or other similar errors of equal significance in terms of affecting patient outcome) in 15-25% of cases in any section of the exam will result in a failure of the entire exam, regardless of performance in other areas with no leeway to compensate. Final marks will be approved by the Examinations Committee.  Candidates attempting the FRCPath Part 2 exam have four attempts within which to pass the exam, and 7-years between each sitting to pass the full qualification.  As an international histopathologist, where can I sit the exam?  The exam currently takes place twice a year in Spring and Autumn and are held in the UK and in one overseas centre in Irbid, Jordan.   For up-to-date information on exam centres, visit the Royal College website here.  How much will the exam cost?  The FRCPath Part 2 exam costs £1,416. A breakdown of the cost of the 2019 sitting of the exam can be found on the Royal College website here.  How do I apply for the exam?  Applications for each sitting of the exam open months in advance and are currently closed for the Autumn 2021 sitting. Applications for the Spring 2022 sitting will open in late 2021. Late applications are not accepted. Keep an eye on the Royal College website for up-to-date information on applications here.  What is the best way to prepare for the exam?  There are several resources available to help you prepare for your Histopathology FRCPath exam. As always, we recommend that the best starting point for your study is the Royal College website, particularly the Curriculum for Specialty Training in Histopathology. Your exam is based on this curriculum so familiarising yourself with it as soon as possible will give you the best chance for success.  Other helpful resources for your study include:  Regulations and guidelines – before applying for FRCPath exams, the College recommends you read both the general and specialty-specific regulations and guidelines, found below:  General Regulations and Guidelines Histopathology Regulations and Guidelines Social media study groups – there are multiple study groups available across different platforms such as Telegram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. IMG Connect hosts study groups for FRCPath Part 2 – these are forums that bring together international doctors from all over the world in one communicative, constructive, and moderated space for learning, sharing, and supporting international histopathologists.  If you are interested in joining the IMG Connect FRCPath Part 2 study group, please email info@imgconnect.co.uk to speak to our histopathology specialist and request your admission.  Online courses, videos and other resources - there are some great online courses and resources available to prepare for the FRCPath Part 2 exam. These include everything from full mock exams to mock exams targeting specific sections of FRCPath Part 2 and YouTube videos. You can find a full list of these here, through our IMG resources library.  FAQs - there is also a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which the Royal College have compiled to help applicants who have questions about online examinations. You can read this here.  #IMG Tips  Prepare early – getting your revision going as soon as possible will help you avoid those last-minute cramming sessions and increase your chances of passing first time.  Speak to your senior colleagues and peers – there are so many study materials to choose from - who better to ask for recommendations than histopathologists who have been through the process or are going through it with you?  Food and drink – there are multiple stations on both days of the exams so make sure you’re prepared with lots of fuel for the day as there may be no access to food.  Hire a microscope – for applicants for the UK sitting, examination centres will not have microscopes for you to use so you will need to hire one in advance. There are a few companies who rent microscope and you can find these through a quick web search!  Join the conversation – for news and updates on all things histopathology for IMGs, click here follow IMG Connect on social media and join the conversation.  I’ve passed the FRCPath exams, what’s next?  Firstly, congratulations! The FRCPath exams are not easy so this is an incredible achievement. Once you have passed both passed of the FRCPath in Histopathology, your postgraduate qualifications satisfy the requirements for GMC registration. You can now apply for full registration with license to practice.  Get in touch with our IMG Connect histopathology specialist to discuss your options for specialist jobs in the UK or to find out more about where you fit into the NHS as a histopathology specialist with FRCPath.   FRCPath also plays a big part in the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) application, the alternative route to the Specialist Register for overseas doctors who did not complete their training in an approved UK training programme. You can find out more about CESR in our guide for international doctors here.  The team at IMG Connect hope you find this article helpful and wish you the best of luck in your FRCPath Histopathology Part 2 exam!  Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on the Royal Colleges, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:             

Are you an overseas pathologist preparing for FRCPath Histopathology Part 2 exam? Overseas doctors often wonder how to prepare for the FRCPath Part 2 examination, especially when so much content and advice online appears geared towards UK applicants and trainee. So what study courses, resources and support is available to an overseas histopathologists looking to take the test? Here we have compiled some of our advice and resources available to help you prepare for the exam, whilst we also address some of the changes in availability of test centres and upcoming exams as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. What is FRCPath Part 2? First a quick reminder of what the FRCPath Histopathology Part 2 is. The Part 2 exam consists of six components which are taken over two days. Each component comprises a different number of cases provided in 20-minute stations or slots. The components include both written and face-to-face elements with the examiner where candidates should demonstrate and discuss both clinical & practical knowledge as well as complex diagnoses and special techniques. This is done through elements of interpreting and writing reports, interpretation and OSPE. If you want to have a more detailed overview of the FRCPath exam then take a look through the article published in our online IMG Library here, or take a look through the Royay College of Pathologists website here.  So how do I get started with my preparation? Starting is often the hardest thing to do, and as there are many resources available online, it's hard to tell where the best place is to start. After discussing this with consultants who've passed (both UK trainees and IMGs), most recommended starting with the Royal College, who have posted some useful resources on their website to aid in your preparation. Curriculum: The exam questions are based on the Curriculum for Specialist Training in Histopathology. As a first step, we recommend becoming familiar with this curriculum as early as possible to reinforce your knowledge and to provide a solid foundation for your study plan. Knowing the curriculum is key - as this is what you will be tested on. Regulations and guidelines: Ensure you have read both the general regulations and guidelines and the specialty specific regulations and guidelines. Social Media study groups: There are many social media study groups available across various platforms. These include Telegram, Facebook, WhatsApp and to a lesser extent LinkedIn. IMG Connect hosts study groups for FRCPath Part 1 and 2 exams - these are forums that bring together international doctors from all over the world into one constructive, communicative and moderated space where you can share exam tips, stories and woes, and the opportunity to buddy-up with similar colleagues looking to pass the test.  If you think you would be interested in joining either the IMG Connect FRCPath 1 or Part 2 Study groups, please email info@imgconnect.co.uk to speak to the histopathology specialist and request your admission. Online Courses for FRCPath Histopathology: There are a few online courses which provide preparation, from full mock exams to individual component courses. We've spoken with some IMGs to understand which courses they favoured, and below we have summarised a few of these. With all courses, it is advised that you register your interest as early as possible as they are in high demand. Pathology Online Hub - FRCPath Part 2 Histopathology Full Mock Exam This is a complete mock exam course with interactive live discussion sessions and individual feedback for each participant. Sessions will be delivered by UK based pathologists with extensive experience of teaching for the FRCPath exam. Participants will be provided with the mock exam for all the 7 components of FRCPath 2 under strict timed conditions closely simulating the real exam. Mock exam will include: Cytology, Short surgical cases, Long cases, Frozen section, Macroscopic examination, OSPE 1 Viva and OSPE 2 Written. Live sessions will include: Exam format and tips on how to prepare with a structured study plan, Review and discussion of all mock exam answers, Group performance summary, Common pitfalls in exam and how to avoid them, and Tips on answering technique for exam. Duration  3 days Cost  £270 (£70 registration fee and £200 payable 8 weeks prior to course start date) Next start date  TBC Website  www.pathologyonlinehub.com/full-mock-course   Oxbridge Medica - FRCPath Part 2 Mock Course This is an online 2-day practical course with both a mock examination and seminars preparing trainees for the FRCPath Part 2 Examination. This is a unique course giving trainees that all important pre-exam Mock (under exam conditions) with the papers individually marked and scored in line with the actual exam. The course speakers have knowledge of the Royal College exam - some of them are examiners, and all are experienced teachers. Duration  2 days (Day 1 = mock exam | Day 2 = review and preparation) Cost  £300 (£75 registration fee and £225 payable 4 weeks prior to course start date) Next start date  TBC Website  http://oxbridgemedica.org/product/frcpath-part-2-mock-course-20th-21st-september-2021/   Oxbridge Medica - FRCPath Part 2 Surgical Course This is an online 2-week Surgical Revision Course preparing trainees for the FRCPath Part 2 Examination and is exam oriented and includes surgical and cytology mock tests, live-streamed lectures and feedback. The course aims to provide an approach to the part 2 examination, and to cover common exam cases, whilst the trainers have been selected for their expertise within their disciplines, both in their clinical acumen but also their teaching skills. The format of the course is intense and demanding but also rewarding. Duration  2 weeks, intensive Cost   £800 (£75 registration fee and £725 payable 4 weeks prior to course start date) Next start date  TBC Website  oxbridgemedica.org/product/frcpath-part-2-surgical-course-1st-14th-september-2021 IMG Histopathologists FRCPath Part 2 Course This is a tailored FRCPath Histopathology course for overseas pathologists sitting the Part 2 exam. This course offers weekly sessions which provide an approach to the FRCPath exams for IMGs specifically, guiding them through the preparation for the exam, delivered by an experienced NHS consultant pathologist and specialist histopathology recruiters. These sessions are completely free to all doctors. The course is supplemented by additional advice and guidance on FRCPath and other registrations, GMC registration support, as well as guidance and webinars on other topics such as finding work in the NHS, relocation support and specialist registration. You can access our IMG Histopathologists FRCPath Part 2 Course by joining the Facebook group here. What other helpful FRCPath 2 resources are out there? 1. What I wish I'd known - A series of YouTube videos produced by the Royal College of Pathologists. The videos are interviews and advice from four pathologists sharing their experiences of the FRCPath Part 2 exam and what they wish they’d known before taking the exam. 2. FRCPath Part 2 Past Examination Surgical Cases – These are from Virtual Pathology at the University of Leeds. The slides can be magnified, and each case comes with a diagnosis. 3. How to Survive and Thrive in the FRCPath Part 2 - This is a detailed breakdown of the complete exam with advice and marking guidance, created by Dr James Henry, Consultant Cellular Pathologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. How has COVID-19 affected FRCPath UK and Overseas test centres & upcoming exams? The Spring session was postponed for international candidates in response to the pandemic, but discussions are taking place on the possibility of the FRCPath exam taking place at an overseas centre in Autumn 2021. Whilst the Royal College will try to accommodate as many international candidates as possible, priority will be given to candidates entering for the January sitting. IMG Advice to FRCPath 2 Aspirants Finding courses can be tricky and mock exams can cost a lot of money, so take your time to consider your options and what best suits your needs, whether that is a paid short course, or free materials which you can access whenever you need them. Speak to peers and supervisors - they may be able to offer advice based on first-hand experience of the courses or general preparation. Of course, if you need further advice on choosing an FRCPath Part 2 online course, or on this stage of qualifying to work for the NHS, don’t hesitate to get in touch with IMG Connect and request to speak to our Histopathology specialist, Marcus Anderson. He'll be happy to help. The team at IMG Connect hopes that this article and has been useful for any overseas histopathologists looking to take the FRCPath Part 2 exam. Good luck IMGs! Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on the Royal Colleges, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:             

There are several routes an overseas histopathologist can take to GMC registration & practicing anatomic pathology in the NHS. All pathologists looking to secure a job in the NHS, whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council before they can practice in the NHS. As a histopathologist, the criteria you need to meet depends on where you trained, and what qualifications you hold. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live. We’ll be covering the following:  How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as an EEA histopathologist? How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as a non-EEA histopathologist? How can I demonstrate my English language skills? What is a certificate of good standing and how do I get one? What do I need to register with the GMC? Will I need a visa to work in the UK? Evidence of knowledge and skills for EEA histopathologists For histopathologists who trained in an EEA country (all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland & Norway), there are a number of different options potentially available to you.  Depending on the country and year you completed your residency or basic medical training, the GMC may automatically recognise your qualifications and grant you either General Registration, or Specialist Registration in the UK. To find out if your country’s qualifications will allow you to register for either general or specialist registration, check the relevant GMC page here.  Basic Medical Training: If you have met the basic medical training requirements, this would mean that you would not need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK and would not need to complete a UK- recognised postgraduate qualification or PLAB to register with a license to practice. You would be granted full registration in this case, but not Specialist Registration.   Specialist Training / Residency: If you have met the criteria listed for your country then you once you completed your GMC application process you would be granted Specialist Registration in your Specialty and can be appointed as a substantive or permanent consultant in the NHS. So as a pathologist, if you hold a Relevent European Specialist qualification then you would be on the specialist register for histopathology, and can be appointed as a substantive histopathologist in the NHS. So, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.  As a European histopathologist, this is in most cases the easiest route to becoming GMC-registered and being able to practice in the UK.  If you do not meet the GMC requirements for your training to be approved for full or specialist registration, other routes you may consider to GMC registration include PLAB or (via the postgraduate route) the Royal College exams for Histopathology (FRCPath). You can find out more about these alternative routes here.  Evidence of knowledge and skills for non-EEA histopathologists  If you qualified as a histopathologist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge and skills AND English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.   Histopathologists who've trained from outside the UK and EEA must demonstrate to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For histopathologists this can be done through one of three main routes:  Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in pathology specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine. That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, pathologists can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS. Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB. Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists Royal College Qualification of FRCPath: Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. pathology. For senior pathologists taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice. The Royal College of Pathologists is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of Pathology in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) is the full qualification attainable by examination. For overseas doctors, attaining FRCPath will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK Pathology. Take a look at our complete guides on Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists as per your sub-specialty to understand more. GMC recognised or equivalent qualifications Some overseas qualifications and licensing exams are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This is to say these qualifications or licensing exams are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.   To find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC, take a look at our blog: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications. English Language Testing  Both EEA and non-EEA histopathologists, regardless of experience, and country of origin, must demonstrate that they have a sufficient grasp and competence of the English language. This can be done by passing either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:  IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors OET – a guide for overseas doctors Experience in English-speaking countries  For doctors who have at least two years of their most current experience in an English-speaking country, you can use a reference from your current employer or employers over these two or more years to demonstrate competence of the English language. This would exempt you from sitting an English language exam.  Certificate of Good Standing  All doctors registering with the GMC must provide a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority they’ve been registered or licensed with in the last five years.   The medical regulatory authority may send you a certificate of past good standing if you're not currently registered or licensed with them. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact via the GMC website here.  Please note that each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it's signed and must be valid when we approve your application.  If there's no medical regulatory authority in the country to issue a certificate, the GMC will give you further advice once your application has been assessed.  GMC Registration  Once you’ve completed your English language exam, you can now apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. For registration, you must provide evidence of:  English language capabilities - either your IELTS, OET or an approved reference from your current employer (if you have been working in an English-speaking country for the last two years).  AND  Certificate of good standing – the certificate from your medical regulatory authority which demonstrates good standing.   AND  (EEA pathologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as an EEA pathologist, this would either be your recognised EEA qualification.  OR  (Non-EEA pathologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as a non-EEA pathologist, this would either be PLAB, FRCPath or a GMC-approved qualification.  To understand the registration process more fully, read our blog on GMC registration for overseas doctors here.  Visas  If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.  A Tier 2 visa is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License. The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.  Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa - how do I apply and what's the process? Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa below: Tier 2 Dependent visa - Can I bring my family with me to the UK? For pathologists looking to come to the UK to work in the NHS, GMC registration and specialist registration is a crucial part of the process. Therefore, it’s important to put together a good application to present to the GMC, and IMG Connect are here to help with this. Whether it’s deciding the best options for demonstrating your skills and knowledge in histopathology, or sourcing the best English Language courses and resources, take advantage of the benefits of having a pathology recruitment specialist working with you and proving you with the best guidance and support to fit your career needs.  For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things pathology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

The histopathology job market in the UK is fantastic. Vacancies for histopathologists coming from outside of the UK can be found in a variety of ways, and it can be a little confusing navigating the minefield that is GMC registration, a job search and considering what steps you need to take when relocating to the UK. Working with IMG Connect will give you easy access to vacancies for trained histopathologist, though remember your job opportunities will vary depending on what qualifications you hold, and how advanced your GMC registration is.  The IMG Connect job search is a dedicated online recruitment service for overseas doctors looking to secure a job in the NHS.  Save time and get expert advice based on your preferences  Performing a job search online can take up a lot of your time, so at IMG Connect we are here to do the time-consuming work for you. Upon registering, you will have a dedicated consultant whose role is to find jobs that match your skills, and apply for NHS jobs on your behalf.  You can receive jobs updates by E-mail to view new posts to suit your job search every day. Create a profile – it takes 30 seconds It really is that easy, so why not take advantage of our resources, time and energy to find you the right job in the NHS suited to your preferences. By providing us with some key details we can quickly assess which jobs are best suited to your preferences, and even email you job alerts for new exciting roles which we think will interest you! We understand you, and our clients When looking for a pathology job in the NHS, it can be hard to try to find out key information before applying, such as: What specialty specific training or development will be avialable to you?  Can the trust support CESR applicants and is their CESR programme established enough for my needs?  What is the job plan and how much time will I spend my time?  What is it like to work and live there? How does a histopathology department operate in the NHS? What salary will I get paid, and can I earn extra through additional duties or private work? It can be tricky to get all the answers you want before applying online, so we spend our time getting to know both our clients and you, finding out as much key information as possible to help you to make the right decisions. Including details on the pathology department, hospital & trust, as well as an overview of what it is like to live in the area, including housing and the cost of living, as well as access to schools for your children, childcare and finding work for spouses.  Making an impact We will also provide you with top tips on CV writing, job applications and interviews, ensuring that your application and interview makes the most impact with our NHS clients.  Making it personal  Once registered, you can quickly search and apply for NHS jobs using our job search, and take advantage of many useful articles written to support you through your journey to the UK. In addition, when you sign up to 'job alerts' we will automatically email you each time a relevant Pathology vacancy comes available that you may be interested in. Once logged in, you can also save job details and make applications.  By registering with IMG Connect, you will: Have a dedicated consultant who understands your preferences and will do the time-consuming job searches and applications for you. Find your ideal NHS position amongst thousands of unadvertised vacancies - from consultant to middle grade Be the first to hear about new vacancies – registering with IMG Connect means that your CV will gain priority with our NHS clients, and will professionally represented by international recruitment experts. To help you find a job in the NHS simply follow these easy steps: Register with IMG Connect Fill in the 'Personal details' section. Arrange a chat with your dedicated IMG Consultant  Sign up to receive 'job alerts’  Search our live pathology jobs Searching for pathology jobs in the NHS could not be easier If you want to find out more about the many different pathology jobs available within the NHS - it only takes a minute to register with IMG Connect and receive expert advice and representation. We have helped many overseas pathologists into consultant, specialty doctor, registrar, clinical fellow and staff grade NHS roles, whilst offering expert guidance to many more IMGs on NHS doctor pay, royal college qualifications and English language testing. We’d be happy to help you!