Part 1 MFOM examination
Specialty training in occupational medicine requires trainees, in approved training posts, to pass two examinations. The first, Part 1 MFOM, is taken in the first year.
This examination is also available to doctors who are training outwith approved training posts, subject to certain conditions.
The regulations for the Part 1 MFOM are based on the MCQ section of the Regulations for the Diploma in Occupational Medicine. The syllabus is also related to the DOccMed’s syllabus, which must be read in conjunction with the Regulations for the award of Membership.
Notes for candidates
The Part 1 MFOM examination comprises a multiple choice question (MCQ) paper. It is the same examination as set for the MCQ component of the Diploma in Occupational Medicine. The Part 1 MFOM, 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.
The Regulations for the award of Membership recommend that, in preparation for the Part 1 MFOM 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 Part 1 examination. Some candidates may elect voluntarily to attempt the Diploma in Occupational Medicine (although this is not a requirement of specialist training). Please see the Diploma in Occupational Medicine page for a list of appropriate academic courses.
EXAMINATIONS UPDATE, 17th March 2020
As a consequence of the ongoing global COVID-19 situation, the FOM has taken the decision to cancel the Part 1 MFOM examination that were scheduled to take place on 11th May 2020.
If you have booked a place to sit an examination in May 2020, you will automatically be re-booked on to the November sitting (9th November).
If you would prefer to have a refund, and do not wish to be transferred to the November sitting, please contact payments@fom.ac.uk giving details of your examination booking.
Please be assured that trainees will not be penalised for missing exams because of circumstances beyond their control related to COVID-19. The Faculty has been given assurances by the National School of Occupational Health, who provide the ARCPs for our specialty, that progression in training that is exam success dependent will not automatically be halted, but will be based on evidence of competence and capability with the proviso that the exam is successfully completed at the next sitting.
2020 dates for the Part 1 MFOM are:
Monday, 9th November 2020 (MCQ – FOM, 2 Lovibond Lane, London, SE10 9FY)
Please note that applications for the November 2020 exam will open on Monday 13th July 2020 at 09:00 and will close on Monday 14th September 2020 at 17:00.
