Becoming an examiner on the MRCGP panel

Please note that the below is for informational purposes only and that we are not currently accepting applications for this role. We anticipate that the next recruitment drive for MRCGP SCA examiners will open no earlier than April 2026. If you would like to be notified when applications are open, please send a request to exams.recruitment@rcgp.org.uk, including your GMC number, in order to be added to the mailing list.

The Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA) is a remote simulated surgery assessment forming part of the licensing tripos leading to Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP). The SCA is delivered through an online platform, and consists of 12 simulated GP consultations, conducted by professional role players, and delivered to a consistent standard. The role of an RCGP SCA examiner is to assess a candidate’s ability to consult effectively at the level of a newly qualified GP. To achieve this, SCA examiners must form fair and safe judgements about candidates’ clinical, professional, and communication skills.

The RCGP recruits GPs to join the panel of examiners and we encourage applications from enthusiastic highly performing GPs of all backgrounds and levels of experience. We are keen for the panel to be reflective of the diversity of patients and want to encourage those who might not previously have considered applying. The role is valuable and rewarding. Examiners benefit from superb opportunities for CPD, and most of the work is done from home with flexible hours, (see below). Being an examiner gives a GP the chance to contribute to the standard of UK General Practice and provides expertise we can share with the whole GP training community.  

MRCGP panel members are paid at a rate of £21.28 per consultation marked, and a fee for the provision of professional services for attendance at the annual mandatory training event and training days will be payable, currently £499.44 per day with effect from 1 April 2024. The contract is renewable annually and there is an initial probationary period of six months.

Essential criteria/requirements

• Be a GP in good standing with the GMC, who has passed the AKT in the last 10 years at the time of application (or can commit to passing this in order to join the panel).
• Be a Member or Fellow of the College in good standing.
• Be on the National Performers’ list without restriction and have annual GP appraisals (examiners demit within two years of retirement).
• Be able to commit to working in five diets per year (usually one fixed day plus 2.5 flexible days, further details below).
• Attend a Potential New Examiner Selection Day, as part of the recruitment process.
• Attend the annual MRCGP Mandatory Training Events.
• Read the Examiners’ Code of Conduct and commit to abide by this if appointed. This will be shared at new examiner training events.

Essential attributes

• Value diversity, equality and inclusivity as applied to candidates, patients and examiners.
• Be able to work well in a team and demonstrate excellent communication skills.
• Be able to think flexibly and work to a standard.
• Be well organised and able to work to short deadlines.
• Appropriate levels of IT literacy.
• Compliance with GMC Good Medical Practice.
• No conflict of interests such as a commercial course provider.
• Familiarity with the principles of equality and data protection legislation and a commitment to comply with the necessary training and implementation.

Desirable attributes

• Significant consulting experience
• Experience of teaching or training

Time commitment

Applicants must be able to provide a minimum of 2.5 days in each of five examining diets per year. There is a 2-hour examiner standardisation meeting on a fixed day during the examination diet, after which you will have 60 cases to mark over a predefined number of days. (Completion within deadlines is essential for timely release of results to candidates.) There are nine diets per year from which to choose, and advance notice is provided.

In addition, examiners are obliged to attend the annual MRCGP Mandatory Training Events, as above, and will undergo quality assurance with a lead examiner during the examination diet (usually about one hour).

IT requirements

Examiners need to have use of a laptop or PC with a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768, running Windows 10 or newer, (or Sierra 10.12 or newer), with a reliable speaker, microphone and webcam. The minimum recommended bandwidth is 10mbps download and 4mbps upload.

Application process

As mentioned, we are not currently accepting applications for this role and don’t anticipate that we will be recruiting for MRCGP SCA examiners until April 2026, at the earliest. 

However, if you are interested in applying for this role in future, you will be required to provide a Personal Statement of up to 400 words, describing evidence for the Essential and Desirable Attributes. You will also need to provide your GMC number, confirm that the six essential criteria apply and confirm that you have an AKT pass within the last 10 years (or provide confirmation that you are willing to re-sit the exam as part of the application process, if you have not passed within the last 10 years).

Please forward any enquiries to exams.recruitment@rcgp.org.uk