The FRACP Examination

The Examination is broadly based in adult internal medicine and comprises both a written and a clinical assessment. Candidates must satisfy the Committee for Examinations (CFE) in the Written Examination before proceeding to the Clinical Examination. If unsuccessful in the Clinical Examination, candidates are eligible for a further attempt at the Clinical Examination in the following year before being required to resit the Written Examination.

Application to Sit the Written Examination

The Written Examination in adult internal medicine may be attempted following completion of basic physician traning which is normally in the fourth year (PGY4) or later. Approval of basic training by the CPT is necessary before a trainee is permitted to take the Examination. The content of basic training that has been undertaken is detailed in the application form available from the College and signed by the DPT.
Applications for the Written Examination close on 22 November each year.

Application for Exemption from the Written Examination

From 2000, exemption from the Written Examination for applicants who hold a postgraduate degree or diploma obtained outside Australia or New Zealand is being withdrawn. An application for exemption received before 1 February 2000 will be considered on its individual merits whereas no applications for exemption will be received after 1 February 2000.

Where the equivalent of basic physician training has been undertaken outside Australia or New Zealand, formal documentation must be forwarded to the CPT showing that the applicant has occupied the positions indicated in the application for the specified period, and evidence that performance was satisfactory. Certified copies of diplomas awarded must be included.

If exemption from the Written Examination has been granted, the applicant will normally be expected to attempt the next Clinical Examination held by the College. The applicant is eligible to have two attempts at the Clinical Examination within a two-year period but if unsuccessful on both occasions, will be required to take the Written Examination.

Application to Sit the Clinical Examination

Those who have been successful at the Written Examination or have been granted exemption from the Written Examination, are required to sit the next available Clinical Examination held by the College.
Applications for the Clinical Examination close on 23 April each year.

A fee is payable at the time of application for the Written Examination. An additional fee is payable for each attempt at the Clinical Examination. A fee is payable at the time of application for exemption from the Written Examination. If the application is approved, an additional fee is payable for each Clinical Examination.

Locations and Dates of Examinations

The dates of the examinations are decided a year in advance. The Written Examination is usually held on the first Tuesday in March in all capital cities of Australia; and the five main centres of New Zealand. The Clinical Examination is held in late June in New Zealand.

A supplementary Clinical Examination, if required, is held in Australia in August/September.

Specific dates for the Written Examination and Clinical Examination each year are available from the Wellington Office, published in RACP News and on the College website.

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