Examiner training

All RCPCH examiners are required to receive appropriate training for their role as examiners in either the MRCPCH Clinical or DCH Clinical examinations.

All RCPCH examiners must be competent to assess a candidate in any examination and must maintain their skills in order to act as an examiner in all parts of the examination process.
Examiner Training packages are regularly updated based upon analysis of the results and general feedback from candidates, examiners, senior examiners and host examiners.

MRCPCH Clinical or ‘generic’ examiners are able to examine on either the MRCPCH or DCH Clinical exams. DCH only examiners are limited to examining on the DCH Clinical.

MRCPCH Clinical Examiner training

There are two types of training event that are regularly held in order to appropriately train new examiners (Examiner Elect Training) and revalidate experienced examiners (MRCPCH Examiner Revalidation Training) for the MRCPCH Clinical Examination. Normally these events run over a full day and are held at the RCPCH London office.

MRCPCH or ‘generic’ Examiner Elects must attend an MRCPCH Examiner Elect training session before being ratified as an MRCPCH/generic examiner.

The RCPCH Examinations Team will reimburse all reasonable costs for travel and subsistence as well as accommodation if needed.

DCH Clinical Examiner training

A separate training event is held at least once a year for DCH examiner training.
DCH examiner training is mandatory for all new (DCH Examiner Elects) and active DCH only examiners.
DCH only Examiner Elects must attend a DCH training session before being ratified as a DCH examiner.

The RCPCH Examinations Team will reimburse all reasonable costs for travel and subsistence as well as accommodation if needed.

Generic Examiners/DCH Clinical Examiner training

As long as there is a clear understanding of the expected standard of the DCH; familiarity with the DCH circuit, mark sheets and other supporting documents and what is assessed in each station of the DCH exam then MRCPCH/generic examiners need not attend DCH examiner training.

MRCPCH examiners are welcome and encouraged to attend DCH training, although it is not essential.

All examiners (generic or DCH) who are scheduled to examine on a DCH Clinical exam must first have observed a DCH Clinical for at least one full exam day before being able to examine independently.