Examination fees and key dates

KBA Information

The knowledge-based assessment (KBA) is held online once a year. If a candidate fails the written exam, the following year will be their next available opportunity to retake it.

Candidates must first pass the KBA in order to be eligible to sit the clinical OSCE. 

Once the application period has closed for the KBA, all eligible candidates will be shortly sent instructions regarding downloading the examination proctoring software, unique login details, and instructions to be carried out prior to sitting the exam, such as calibrating your face ID. Our team will be in touch with you via email when these are prepared.

OSCE Information

The clinical examination (OSCE) is held twice a year, in summer and autumn, at our Examination Assessment Centre at the RCP at The Spine in Liverpool. Candidates have four years from the date of notification that they have successfully completed the DGM KBA to then pass the DGM clinical examination.

Once the application period has closed for the OSCE, all eligible candidates will be allocated across the planned examination week and shortly sent an admission document confirming their exam date, report time, and reporting address. Our team will be in touch with you via email when these are prepared.

Should you have any specific date requests for your clinical exam in-line with the planned assessment week, please notify via email dgm@rcp.ac.uk. We will endeavour to allocate you to your preferred exam dates. However, this cannot be guaranteed in all cases.

Eligibility

All statutorily regulated healthcare practitioners, currently registered and in good standing with the relevant regulator, and with no restrictions on their practice, are eligible to apply to take the DGM. Physician associates who are on the Managed Voluntary Register, which is held by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Faculty of Physician Associates, are also eligible to apply.

UK-based regulated candidates

For applicants declaring a UK registration, the RCP Assessment Unit will check registration with the relevant UK regulator (GMC, NMC, or Health and Care Professions Council, for example), including a check for any restriction to practise. Applicants declaring registration on the Physician Associates Managed Voluntary Register will have this registration checked with the Faculty of Physician Associates, including a check for any restrictions to practise.

Non-UK based regulated candidates

Applicants who hold registration with a regulator outside the UK will be required to get their educational supervisor or line manager to submit a reference form confirming the following regarding the applicant:

• Their regulatory body
• Their regulatory body registration number (or equivalent)
• That the applicant is in good standing in their professional practice
• A general reference detailing why they are supportive of an application from the named individual.

Wherever possible, the registration details of the applicant will be verified with the relevant regulator, and the RCP reserves the right to contact the referee directly if further information is required.

The RCP reserves the right to verify candidate’s eligibility with their awarding institution, and to refuse entry to the examination to candidates who do not meet the eligibility criteria set out above.