What is the FRCR Qualification?
FRCR stands for: Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists.
The Royal College of Radiologists are the professional body responsible for the specialties of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Radiology in the UK. The FRCR postgraduate qualification is awarded by The Royal College of Radiologists to doctors who have successfully passed the FRCR exams.
The FRCR examinations are split into 3 parts and must be completed in the below order:
- First FRCR (Anatomy and Physics): this is a 2-part exam which takes place over 2 days
- Final FRCR Part A: this consists of 2 single best answer test papers
- Final FRCR part B: this consists of a reporting session, a rapid reporting session and an oral examination.
Success in all three parts of the FRCR examination will result in the award of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists and furthermore, entitles the use of the post-nominal letters FRCR.
FRCR Part 1
Entry Requirements
To enter the First FRCR examination, applicants need to hold a formal clinical radiology training post in which they are actively receiving clinical radiology training. There is no minimum period of clinical experience or clinical radiology training required in order to enter the first FRCR examination.
Exam Structure
The First FRCR is held over two days and consists of two modules: Anatomy and Physics.
Candidates may attempt the two modules at the same sitting or at separate sittings, and may pass them either together or separately in any order.
Physics
The exam:
Carried out over 2 hours, the Physics assessment is a written test paper that is made up of 40 multiple choice questions.
Each question in the test comprises of a question or statement and five items (answers) labelled a-e. Each questions requires you to identify whether the item is true or false.
The questions in the Physics test are from the following categories:
- Matter and Radiation (4)
- Radiography & Fluoroscopy (8)
- Radionuclide Imaging (6)
- Radiation Safety (8)
- Computed Tomography (4)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (5)
- Ultrasound (5)
Anatomy
The exam:
Carried out over 90 minutes, the Anatomy assessment is a computer-based image viewing session and is delivered on an individual workstation.
The Anatomy image viewing session comprises of 100 images and associated questions and aims to cover all areas of the curriculum. As such, it’s made up of questions in equals parts in the below categories:
- Cross-sectional
- Plain radiographs
- Contrast studies
The questions within these categories cover the different areas of the body, including:
- Head, neck and spine
- Chest and cardiovascular
- Abdomen and pelvis
- Musculoskeletal
Marking
Marked on a computer, candidates receive +1 mark for each correct answer in the Physics module. The pass mark varies for each sitting, but is usually in the region of 70-75%.
The Anatomy module uses automated marking. The system matches the answers with the candidate responses and marks accordingly. Examiners will review and mark any answers that do not exactly match those within the platform.
+2 marks are given for each item that is answered with complete accuracy and+1 mark is given for each item that is answered with less accuracy, but still correctly.
The pass mark varies for each sitting, but is usually around 75%.
Dates, Locations and Cost
Applicants are able to take the First FRCR exam in several locations worldwide, including Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Hong Kong, London, Manchester/ Stockport and Singapore.
Usually held in March, June and September, the First FRCR exams cost £256 each for Members or £301 for Non-Members.
For more details on the exam dates, please click here. This page will also detail any changes to the timing, content or structure of an exam.
Royal College Resources
- Clinical Radiology Curriculum
- Guidance notes for candidates
- Instructions for candidates to follow during the physics examination
- Anatomy examination advice
- Physics: MCQ questions and answers
- Answer sheet
Final FRCR Part A (FRCR 2A)
Entry Requirements
To sit the Final FRCR Part A exam, candidates must have passed the First FRCR exam and completed 24 months of clinical radiology training.
Exam Structure
The FRCR 2A exam consists of two 120 question single best answer papers. The two exams are taken in one day and each last 3 hours.
The two exams assess candidates in all areas of clinical radiology, the basic sciences of physics, anatomy and techniques against the specialty training curriculum for clinical radiology.
Questions in the FRCR Part A cover the following areas:
- Musculoskeletal and Trauma
- Central Nervous and Head and Neck
- Cardiothoratic and Vascular
- Gastro-intestinal
- Genito-urinary, Adrenal, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Breast
- Paediatric.
Marking
Marked on a computer, candidates receive +1 mark for each correct answer.
A candidates overall percentage score across both tests (240 questions) determine whether they pass or fail. There is no concept of a mark or result in each of the two papers.
Dates, Locations and Cost
Applicants are able to take the Final FRCR Part A exam in several locations worldwide including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Hong Kong London, Manchester and Singapore.
Usually held in both June and December, the Final FRCR Part A exam costs £343 each for Members or £404 for Non-Members.
For more details on dates, please click here. This page will also detail any changes to the timing, content or structure of an exam.
Royal College Resources
- Understand the SBA format and how to approach questions
- Guidance for candidates on TMN Staging
- Guidance notes for candidates
- Sample SBA questions
- Answer sheet
Final FRCR Part B (FRCR 2B)
Entry Requirements
The Final FRCR Part B examination is applicable for candidates who have passed the FRCR 2A exam and have completed 34 months of clinical radiology training.
Exam Structure
The examination assesses candidates in all areas of clinical radiology against the specialty training curriculum for clinical radiology.
Made up of three parts, the Final FRCR Part B compromises of:
- A reporting session (long cases)
- A rapid reporting session (rapids)
- An oral examination (viva)
Reporting Content
The reporting session runs for 75 minutes and comprises of six cases, each of which require a written report. Candidates will be provided with the relevant clinical data and case histories for each case.
Candidates should format their responses as shown below:
- Observations
- Interpretation
- Main or Principal Diagnosis
- Any Differential Diagnoses
- Any Relevant Further Investigations or Management
Rapid Reporting Content
The rapid reporting session runs for 35 minutes and comprises of 30 cases. This part of the FRCR 2B requires candidates to identify cases that show normal appearances and those that show an abnormality.
Oral Component
Split into two 30-minute segments, with two pairs of examiners, the oral examination lasts for 60 minutes in total.
Within each pair, examiner A will ask questions while examiner B marks, then after 15 minutes the examiners swap places and examiner B asks questions while examiner A marks.
Throughout the oral exam, candidates will be shown a wide range of material varying in complexity. The examiners will then question them following this. In reaching their conclusion, candidates should place their diagnoses in order of probability.
Marking
The three sub-tests of the Final FRCR Part B are independently marked. The three sets of marks are then considered as a whole to generate a pass or fail. There is no concept of passing one part only.
To view the scoring system document, click here.
Dates, Locations and Cost
Applicants are only able to take the Final FRCR Part B exam in the UK. There are several locations available in the UK, including Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Stockport.
Usually held in both April and October, the Final FRCR Part A exam costs £474 each for Members or £558 for Non-Members.
For more details on dates, please click here. This page will also detail any changes to the timing, content or structure of an exam.
Royal College Resources
- Instructions for candidates to follow during the exam
- Guidance notes for candidates
- Reporting and Rapid reporting FAQs
- Generic examiners reports
- Sample image
- During the examination
- Generic examiners reports
Radiologists with FRCR are highly sought after across the UK. If you’re a Radiologist with FRCR or you’re in the process of taking the FRCR examinations, and you want to discuss the available job opportunities, please contact our team.
Please note that our FRCR overview has been written as a guide.
