Regulations & Information Packs

The FRCEM Primary examination is mapped to the Emergency Medicine 2015 Curriculum with more detailed information provided in the RCEM Basic Sciences Curriculum (June 2010) which is available on the 2015 Curriculum page of our website.  All applicants for the FRCEM Primary examination are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the Basic Sciences Curriculum in preparation for sitting the FRCEM Primary examination.

The FRCEM Primary examination consists of a 3 hour, multiple choice question (MCQ) paper of 180, single best answer questions (SBAQ).

• Sample questions

Please see the FRCEM Primary Information Pack (updated November 2018) for detailed information for this examination component. 

The FRCEM Final examinations are mapped to the Emergency Medicine 2015 Curriculum, in its entirety, which is available on the 2015 Curriculum page of our website.  All applicants for the FRCEM Final examinations are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the 2015 Curriculum in preparation for sitting the FRCEM Final examinations.

From 1 August 2018, the FRCEM Final consists of the following components:

• FRCEM Final Examination:
  • FRCEM Critical Appraisal (Short Answer Question Paper)
  • FRCEM Quality Improvement Project (QIP) completed during ST4-6
  • FRCEM Final Clinical Short Answer Question Paper comprising of a 3 hour paper of 60, 3 mark questions
  • FRCEM OSCE consisting of 16, 8 minute stations.  An additional one minute of reading time is provided for candidates between each OSCE station.

The CTR has been replaced by the Quality Improvement Project (QIP) from 1 August 2018.  Candidates who have not been awarded Fellowship by Examination (FRCEM) by 31 July 2018, and remain eligible to sit the FRCEM Final examinations after 1 August 2018, will be required to pass the new FRCEM QIP component, irrespective of a previous pass (or exemption) in the FRCEM CTR.

Candidates who have passed the QIP, including viva, to fulfil the requirements of the CTR prior to 31 July 2018 will be deemed to have passed an equivalent examination to the FRCEM QIP introduced from 1 August 2018.

Please see the FRCEM Final Information Pack (updated November 2018) for detailed information for these examination components.

Candidates preparing for the FRCEM Final Quality Improvement Project (QIP) should review the RCEM Quality Improvement Guide and other resources available on the QI Resources page.

Additional resources for candidates preparing to sit components of the FRCEM Final examinations:

Critical Appraisal - Autumn 2010 Advice to Candidates
Critical Appraisal - Most Frequently Offered Answers
QIP marking scheme - July 2018
QIP advice for candidates - July 2018
Glossary of terms used in RCEM examinations (August 2019)

Sample QIPs
The following anonymised QIPs are published with the kind permission of the candidates:  
Successful QIP on reducing the referral rates of paediatric patients to plastic surgery (Spring 2017)
Successful QIP on management of fractured neck of femurs in the ED (Spring 2018)
Unsuccessful QIP and subsequent successful QIP with marking commentary. 

Membership by Examination is awarded to candidates who pass three required examination components.  Until August 2016, the College’s examination has been divided into two distinct examination structures: the MRCEM and the FRCEM.  After August 2016, the College’s examination structure is being redefined to reflect that success in the entire suite of examinations leads to the award of Fellowship by Examination (FRCEM).  However, the College continues to offer Membership by Examination (MRCEM) for candidates who have passed all of the following examinations:

• FRCEM Primary (or have passed MRCEM Part A between 1 August 2012 and 1 August 2016 (or granted exemption))
• FRCEM Intermediate SAQ (or have passed MRCEM Part B between 1 August 2012 and 1 August 2016) 
• MRCEM OSCE (previously called MRCEM Part C, passed after 1 August 2012)  

Required Examinations for the Award of Membership by Examination (MRCEM)

FRCEM Primary
The FRCEM Primary examination is a direct replacement for the MRCEM Part A examination and continues to assess the RCEM Basic Sciences Curriculum.  The examination will consist of a 3 hour, multiple choice question (MCQ) paper of 180, single best answer questions (SBAQ).  Please see the above section for the FRCEM Primary for further information.

FRCEM Intermediate SAQ
The FRCEM Intermediate SAQ is a direct replacement for the MRCEM Part B examination and continues to be mapped to the competences of Year 1-3 of the Emergency Medicine 2015 Curriculum (ACCS Plus) which is available on the 2015 Curriculum page of our website.  The Short Answer Question Paper comprises of a 3 hour paper of 60, 3 mark questions.  For further details on the FRCEM Intermediate SAQ paper, including format and blueprint, please see the above section for the FRCEM Intermediate Certificate.

MRCEM OSCE (formerly MRCEM Part C)
The MRCEM Objective Structure Clinical Examination (OSCE) is mapped to the competences of Year 1-3 of the Emergency Medicine 2015 Curriculum (ACCS Plus) which is available on the 2015 Curriculum page of our website.  All applicants for the MRCEM are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the Year 1-3 competences in preparation for sitting this examination.  Success in the MRCEM OSCE alone does not confer Membership (MRCEM).  It is a requirement to pass the three required components listed above.  

Please see the MRCEM Information Pack (updated November 2018) for detailed information for this examination component.

A candidate who has attempted examinations of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine may, in the circumstances outlined within the Appeals Procedure, have the right of appeal against the examination outcome.  Full details are available in the Appeals Procedure for MRCEM and FRCEM Examinations (applicable from 21 April 2016).

By virtue of entering an examination candidates are deemed to have understood and agreed to abide by all examination regulations and policies.  Any allegations of misconduct raised by an invigilator, examiner or fellow candidate will be investigated and acted upon in accordance with the Misconduct Policy for MRCEM and FRCEM Examinations (applicable from 21 April 2016).