Each year about 300 people apply to sit DCH Clinical, and they come from UK, Hong Kong, India, Egypt and, since we have started delivering this exam online - in other countries.
About
The Diploma in Child Health was established in 1935 to enable a range of medical professionals to provide evidence of their experience in child health. DCH is:
- mapped to a syllabus developed by a diverse range of medical professionals including paediatricians and GPs
- informed by the latest research and evidence based
- responsive to changes in UK training.
The exams
DCH comprises two exams. These are non-sequential and so can be taken in any order.
Foundation of Practice (FOP) theory exam
FOP is taken on a computer, normally at a test centre, though some applicants may apply for online invigilation. There are usually three sittings a year in the UK, and it's is also part of the MRCPCH, or membership, exam. Find out more about how FOP and other theory exams are delivered
With effect from the 2024.3 exam diet, we are making some changes to our theory exams, including FOP. These have been made in consultation with senior faculty and trainee representatives, and approved by the General Medical Council. See our news page for more on these changes
DCH Clinical
The clinical exam follows a 'circuit' of eight stations. Our examiners, who have extensive experience working in paediatrics, assess candidates' performance. Some scenarios include role-players acting the part of parents or adolescents. There are usually two exam periods each year. Find out more about how DCH Clinical works with our candidate guide
Our standards
The College is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards for its exams. The DCH is modelled to assess key competencies expected of medical trainees with four to six months experience of providing paediatric clinical care. We strive to ensure that all exams are valid and reliable.
To ensure the pre-eminence of the DCH, the College rigorously quality assures all processes and actively engages in research and ongoing development work.
Resources
The DCH is not linked to any recognised training programme.
We periodically offer DCH Clinical exam preparation courses - check our course listing.
Syllabus
The DCH has a separate syllabus to the MRCPCH. However, the theoretical elements of the Foundation of Practice theory exam is shared across both the DCH and the MRCPCH (membership exam).
The DCH syllabus outlines the competencies required in both knowledge and skills. It takes into account the short period of paediatric training necessary before candidates are eligible to enter the exam. It provides a summary list of topics to be covered, and specifies the depth of knowledge and skills required and guidance for trainees and teachers on what they must be taught and learn.
You can download the DCH syllabus below.
Eligibility
You must have a primary medical qualification or be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Candidates do not need to pass English language tests in order to be eligible to sit DCH Clinical or FOP, however, we recommend that your English language proficiency be equivalent to IELTS Level 7 as candidates will be required to communicate in English to an acceptable level throughout the exam and across all stations. Candidates who do not meet this level of English language proficiency will struggle to meet the standards required to pass both examinations (DCH Clinical and FOP).
We recommend that candidates working in the UK have four to six months' experience in paediatrics, though this is not required. If you are taking the exam overseas, we recommend you have six months' paediatrics experience.
Your diploma
When you pass both DCH Clinical and Foundation of Practice exams, you will receive a Diploma certificate. This certifies you are a holder of the Diploma in Child Health (RCPCH). Candidates have the option to receive their DCH Diploma certificate electronically as well as a physical copy. Candidates should note that due to frequent office closures due to the pandemic it has not always been possible to provide physical copies. We hope that this will improve over time and options for physical copy delivery will be less disrupted.
If you need a replacement diploma
The replacement certificate fee is £25.
If you sat DCH Clinical after 1 January 2000 with the RCPCH, please contact us on clinicalexams@rcpch.ac.uk with details of when you passed the exam, your RCPCH number and your contact details.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) ran the DCH clinical exam before 1 January 2000. If you sat before that date, we can provide a replacement certificate once we have confirmed that you passed the exam with the RCP, please contact us with details of when you passed the exam, your RCPCH number, full name, date of birth and your contact details. These details will help us verify with the RCP.