Faculty of Radiologists . Education and Training . Exam Information





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Regulations for the Examinations for the Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists in Clinical Radiology of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland may be obtained by examination after a minimum of three years of full-time training.

Exemption From The First Examination For The Fellowship

First Examination For The Fellowship

Final Examination For The Fellowship

Examination Dates And Fees

Admission To The Fellowship

(a) Medical Qualification: Candidates must have obtained a medical degree from a University acceptable to the General Medical Council and be registered as a medical practitioner with the appropriate national authority.

(b) Clinical Experience: A minimum of two years of acceptable clinical experience is normally required to enter the examinations. In Ireland, this period would comprise one year of pre-registration experience and one year of post-registration experience.

(c) Flexible (Part-time) Training: All periods of time specified in this document are whole time equivalent. Flexible (part-time) training must not be undertaken on the basis of less than five sessions per week.

(d) Absence from Radiology Training: Absence on sick leave or maternity leave reduces the time spent in radiology training. Details of any sick and/or maternity leave must be entered on the examination application form. Any candidate who has been absent from their post (other than for normal annual or study leave) for any period in excess of 6 weeks in any one year of radiology training or a total of 9 weeks in three years must delay taking the Fellowship Examinations until the full period of radiology training has been completed.

Exemption From The First Examination For The Fellowship

Candidates who have passed one of the examinations listed below (and provide satisfactory confirmation of their examination success) may be exempted from the First Examination for the Fellowship. This list will be kept under review.

Primary Fellowship Examination of the Royal College of Radiologists, London [FRCR] prior to 2002.

First Examination For The Fellowship

Candidates are permitted to sit the First Examination for the Fellowship after eight months in a clinical radiology training post.

The Examination covers the following subjects:

Physics: principles, apparatus, photography and film faults
Radiological anatomy
Radiological techniques: principles of modern imaging techniques and procedures, the use of contrast media and drugs, and radiography

The examination is held twice a year, usually in May and September, and comprises:

a multiple choice question paper
a viva
a film viewing session

The three components of the examination are held consecutively.

Candidates are allowed only FOUR attempts at the First Examination for the Fellowship. Unsuccessful attempts at examinations that grant exemption from the First Examination for the Fellowship will be counted in the total of four attempts. Unsuccessful candidates will be required to resit all components of the First Examination. After two unsuccessful attempts at the First Examination for the Fellowship, the candidate's performance will be reviewed by the Senior Examiner who will advise the candidate's training supervisor of those areas where improvement is required, and recommend appropriate remedial action.
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Final Examination For The Fellowship

The examination will consist of some or all of the following:

An MCQ paper
A Film Reporting Session
A Rapid Reporting session
Two oral examinations
An essay paper

Candidates who have passed the First Examination for the Fellowship are permitted to sit the final examination for the Fellowship after 3 years in a clinical radiology training post.

The final examination is held twice a year, usually in May and November. In the oral examinations, candidates are examined by two pairs of examiners, all of whom are clinical radiologists.

After three unsuccessful attempts at the Final Examination for the Fellowship, a candidate's performance will be reviewed by the Chairman of the Examining Board and Senior Examiner, who will advise the candidate's training supervisor of those areas where improvement is required, and recommend appropriate remedial action.
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Examination Dates And Fees

Details of the examination dates and fees may be obtained HERE or alternatively, from the Examinations Secretary. If a candidate withdraws after the closing date for an examination the whole examination fee will be forfeit. The Faculty of Radiologists may make exceptions to this rule in special circumstances. Cheques for examination fees must accompany the completed application form.

Procedures for requesting past exam papers

Examination Application Forms

Final Fellowship FFR Diagnosis
Final Fellowship FFR Therapy
Primary FFR Exam Diagnosis

Admission To The Fellowship

Before being allowed to use the title of Fellow of the Faculty of Radiologists of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FFR RCSI), successful candidates in the Final Examination for the Fellowship must be formally admitted to the Fellowship. Those who are not already Members of the Royal College of Radiologists must become Members before admission can occur. All successful candidates are required to pay the Fellowship fee. This is paid once only unlike the membership subscription which is paid annually. Admission Ceremonies are held twice a year, normally in June and December.

In order to preserve the entitlement to use the letters FFR after their names those who have been admitted to the Fellowship must maintain good standing with the Faculty of Radiologists by continued payment of the annual membership subscription.
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