MFOM Part 1 – Regulations & Guidance
These Regulations & Guidance should be read in conjunction with the Regulations for Award of Membership, MFOM Part 2 and Research Methods.
MFOM Part 1 EXAMINATION
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M5. |
The MFOM Part 1 examination will comprise of a multiple choice question (MCQ) paper, designed to assess factual knowledge to a level appropriate to the trainee’s stage of training. This will be the same examination as set for the MCQ component of the Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed). It will assess the same knowledge base and use the same question sets and there will be a common pass mark across both the Diploma MCQ and the MFOM Part 1 examination. (The MFOM Part 1, however, will not include the portfolio and oral defence components of the Diploma, which are tested by other means and at a different level during the specialist training programme.) |
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M5. |
Other than as specified in M6 to M9 (eligibility and exemptions) and in D2 (Diploma regulations – training courses), such regulations, written guidelines, and administrative arrangements as are in force in relation to the MCQ component of the Diploma in Occupational Medicine examination will apply to the MFOM Part 1 examination. These are published separately and should be read in conjunction with this section of the Membership regulations. |
View DOccMed Regulations & Guidance
ELIGIBILITY
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M6. |
Before applying to sit the MFOM Part 1 examination a candidate must either:
(a) be enrolled in an approved post or programme recognised for higher specialist training in occupational medicine in the UK and be registered as a trainee with the Faculty (and have paid trainee registration fee and subscriptions); or (b) provide evidence of: i. general professional training ii. at least 1 year of full-time training or experience (or the equivalent pro-rata) in occupational medicine in a post or posts recognised by the Faculty. Documentary evidence submitted under M6(b) will require translation, if not in English. |
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M7. |
No candidate will normally be allowed more than six attempts at the MFOM Part 1 examination. However, Regulation F3 makes provision for the Faculty’s Training Committee (SAC) to consider a candidate’s eligibility to make a further attempt or attempts, subject to acceptable evidence of additional education experience. Any attempt that ends in a withdrawal from the examination as a whole which is accepted by the Faculty as arising from extenuating circumstances under Regulations F13, F14 and F15 will not count towards the total of six. |
EXEMPTIONS
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M8. |
Candidates who have passed the MCQ element of the Faculty’s Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed) will be deemed to have passed the MFOM Part 1 Membership examination, provided that the date on which they sat and passed the MCQ is:
(a) not more than seven years before their enrolment in or re-entering an approved post or programme recognised for higher specialist training in occupational medicine in the UK, or (b) not more than seven years before the date on which they sit the MFOM Part 2 examination if the candidate is not enrolled in an approved post or programme recognised for higher specialist training in occupational medicine in the UK. |
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M9. |
An exemption to MFOM Part 1 will also apply to those who have passed the AFOM examination, provided that the date on which they sat and passed the AFOM is not more than seven years before:
(a) their enrolment (or re-entry) into an approved post or programme recognised for higher specialist training in occupational medicine in the UK or (b) if not enrolled in higher specialist training, their application for Membership. An exemption to MFOM Part 1 will apply to doctors who enter the GMC Specialist Register under the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2015, as amended by the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 |
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M6 – M9. |
The conditions that must be met before applying to sit the MFOM Part 1 examination are set out in M6. The Faculty’s Training Committee (SAC) will be the arbiter of acceptable training or experience under regulation M6(b). Exemptions may apply if a candidate has passed the MCQ component of the Diploma examination (subject to time limitations as set out in M8) or has passed the AFOM examination (subject to time limitations as set out in M9).
Candidates for the Part 1 examination are strongly recommended to read the Diploma guidelines insofar as these relate to the MCQ examination. The guidelines include sample questions, a learning syllabus and other useful details not repeated here. The Diploma in Occupational Medicine Examination Regulations, Syllabus, and Guidance Notes for Candidates and Teaching Centres are available on application and can be found on the DOccMed Regulations & Guidance page. It also recommended that in preparation for the MFOM Part 1 examination candidates undertake an appropriate academic course, such as a Faculty-approved Diploma Training Course. This is not mandatory (i.e. Diploma regulation D2 does not apply) if the intention is only to sit the MFOM Part 1 examination. It is not mandatory for candidates to undertake a Faculty-approved diploma course for MFOM Part 1 but some candidates may elect voluntarily to attempt the Diploma (although this is not a requirement of specialist training). Please see the DOccMed Regulations & Guidance for more details. |
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ARCP. |
A trainee in a programme of higher specialist training beginning after 31 July 2007 will normally be required to pass the MFOM Part 1 examination before being eligible to progress in their training to ST4. Exceptions may arise (e.g. in the event of illness), but careful thought should be given as to whether or not a longer training period is in the candidate’s best interests.
The pre-set limits prescribed in these regulations are such that the usual number of times the MFOM Part 1 examination can be attempted is six. . However, in the event of repeated failure, ARCP panels may take a view on suitability to remain in training, considering local and personal factors, judgement about a candidate’s likely ability to progress and practise eventually as an independent specialist. |
Date last modified: 27/06/19
