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RCEM Exams

Explore MRCEM and FRCEM examination components, formats and preparation resources.

By Dr. Moeed Ahmed

Updated and reviewed by EM Gurus, checked 10 October 2026

Last reviewed 10 October 20264 min read

Quick answer

Explore MRCEM and FRCEM examination components, formats and preparation resources.

Exams

Membership

  • MRCEM Primary

  • MRCEM SBA

  • MRCEM OSCE


Fellowship

  • FRCEM SBA

  • FRCEM OSCE

Centers

  • MRCEM Primary - Computer-based (Surpass Assessment test centres)

  • MRCEM SBA - Computer-based (Surpass Assessment test centres)

  • MRCEM OSCE:

    • UK (London)

    • Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

    • India (Chennai, Hyderabad)


  • FRCEM SBA - Computer-based (Surpass Assessment test centres)

  • FRCEM OSCE - UK (London)


Reference: Exam Calendar & Fees

Fees

  • MRCEM Primary – £429 UK member / £485 international member / £525 UK non-member / £609 international non-member (2026)

  • MRCEM OSCE (2026) – London £586/£695; India £987/£1,186; Malaysia £1,121/£1,345 (member/non-member)

  • MRCEM SBA – £429 UK member / £485 international member / £525 UK non-member / £609 international non-member (2026)

  • FRCEM SBA – £429 UK member / £485 international member / £525 UK non-member / £609 international non-member (2026)

  • FRCEM OSCE (London, 2026) – £586 member / £695 non-member


Reference: Exam Calendar & Fees

Dates

Use the reference link to access:

  • Exam dates

  • Application opening dates

  • Application closing dates

  • Result dates


Reference: Exam Calendar & Fees

Application

Application Link: RCEM Exams


Documents Needed:

  • House Job Certificate

  • Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) License 


Information Needed:

  • Qualification Details (MBBS, Postgraduate Degree, etc)

  • Employment History

Structure

  • MRCEM Primary - 180 MCQs - 3 hours

  • MRCEM SBA - 180 MCQs - two 2-hour papers, with a 1-hour break

  • MRCEM OSCE - 16 stations (+2 rest stations) - 8 minutes each (+1 minutes reading)

  • FRCEM SBA - 180 MCQs

    • Paper 1 - 90 MCQs - 2 hours

    • Paper 2 - 90 MCQs - 2 hours


  • FRCEM OSCE - 16 stations (+2 rest stations) - 8 minutes each (+1 minutes reading)


Reference: MRCEM Exams & FRCEM Exams

Attempts

  • MRCEM Primary - 6 attempts

  • MRCEM SBA - 6 attempts

  • MRCEM OSCE - 6 attempts

  • FRCEM SBA - 4 attempts

  • FRCEM OSCE - 4 attempts

Curriculum

Information

Content

MRCEM Primary 

  • Anatomy – 60 questions

  • Physiology – 60 questions

  • Pharmacology – 24 questions

  • Microbiology – 17 questions

  • Pathology – 9 questions

  • Evidence Based Medicine – 10 questions


MRCEM SBA 

  • SLO1 Complex Stable Patient – 55 questions

  • SLO3 Resuscitate – 40 questions

  • SLO4 Injured Patient – 30 questions

  • SLO5 Paediatric Emergency Medicine – 25 questions

  • SLO6 Procedural Skills – 20 questions

  • SLO7 Complex or Challenging Situations – 10 questions


MRCEM OSCE 

  • SLO1 Complex Stable Patient – 3 stations

  • SLO2 Answer Questions – 2 stations

  • SLO3 Resuscitate – 2 stations

  • SLO4 Injured Patient – 2 stations

  • SLO5 Paediatric Emergency Medicine – 1 station

  • SLO6 Procedural Skills – 2 stations

  • SLO7 Complex or Challenging Situations – 2 stations

  • SLO9 Supervision & Teaching – 2 stations


FRCEM SBA 

  • SLO1 Complex Stable Patient - 35 questions

  • SLO3 Resuscitate - 40 questions

  • SLO4 Injured Patient - 35 questions

  • SLO5 Paediatric Emergency Medicine - 30 questions.

  • SLO6 Procedural Skills - 13 questions

  • SLO7 Complex or Challenging Situations - 10 questions

  • SLO8 & SLO12 Leadership & Management - 7 questions

  • SLO10 & SLO11 Research & Quality Improvement - 10 questions


FRCEM OSCE 

  • SLO1 Complex Stable Patient – 3 stations

  • SLO7/8 EPIC – 2 stations

  • SLO9 Supervision & Teaching – 1 stations

  • SLO3 Resuscitate – 3 stations

  • SLO4 Injured Patient – 2 stations

  • SLO5 Paediatric Emergency Medicine – 1 station

  • SLO12 Management – 2 stations

  • SLO12/SLO10 Management or Research – 2 stations


Reference: RCEM Exams Information Packs

Eligibility

MRCEM Primary

  • Hold a primary medical qualification (PMQ) accepted by the General Medical Council (GMC)

  • Hold a current medical registration (provisional or full)


MRCEM SBA

  • Hold a PMQ accepted by the GMC

  • Have a current full medical registration with a license to practice

  • Have 2 years medical experience post primary medical degree level qualification

  • Have passed the MRCEM Primary


MRCEM OSCE

  • Hold a PMQ accepted by the GMC

  • Have a current full medical registration with a license to practice

  • Have 6 months full-time equivalent (FTE) Emergency Medicine experience above Foundation training (or equivalent)

  • Have passed both the MRCEM Primary and MRCEM SBA


FRCEM SBA & FRCEM OSCE

  • Hold a PMQ accepted by the GMC

  • Have a current full medical registration with a license to practice

  • Have completed MRCEM (or equivalent)

And, if a UK trainee, must:

  • Have 12 months FTE Emergency Medicine experience at Higher Specialty Training level or equivalent

If a non-trainee, must:

  • Have 4 years FTE Emergency Medicine training, 1 of which must be at a higher specialty level


Reference: Exam Eligibility and Adjustments

Currency

  • Candidates will have seven years to complete all MRCEM exams. 

  • After completing MRCEM, candidates will have seven years to take and pass their first FRCEM exam.

  • Seven years to complete FRCEM exams once they have passed their first FRCEM component.

Tips

RCEM examsEmergency medicineExam preparation

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Educational guide, not clinical advice. Check current official guidance before acting.