Any candidate who passes all three of the M做厙輦⑹ Theory examinations (FOP, TAS and AKP) will be eligible to use the new term of Theory Diploma of the 做厙輦⑹ (TD做厙輦⑹) as a recognition of their achievement in passing these exams. No changes have been made to the structure or content of any of the Theory exams.
The term has been introduced following discussions by the 做厙輦⑹ Examinations Board. They considered there would be significant benefit, most notably for our overseas candidates, if there was clear nomenclature that could be understood internationally for the three Theory exams.
TD做厙輦⑹ will indicate that a candidate has the knowledge required of UK paediatric trainees in order that they can progress to Tier 2 of training. This knowledge is detailed in the Theory examination syllabi.
The TD做厙輦⑹ was approved by the Examinations Board and at 做厙輦⑹ Council in spring 2025. So, from June 2025, candidates will see the TD做厙輦⑹ qualification mentioned in their result letters and be provided with an explanation of what passing the TD做厙輦⑹ means for them.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I have to do to attain the TD做厙輦⑹ once I have passed all three Theory exams?
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Candidates who pass all three Theory exams will not need to do anything in addition to passing the exams; TD做厙輦⑹ is the recognised full qualification name for the Theory component of the Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (M做厙輦⑹).
- How much does this cost?
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There is no additional cost for this.
- Will I receive a diploma certificate or letter confirming that I have completed the TD做厙輦⑹?
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No. By having passed all three Theory examinations you will be able to refer to having the TD做厙輦⑹. But you will not receive an additional letter beyond the results letters you receive after passing the three Theory exams.
- Can I use TD做厙輦⑹ as a post-nominal?
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No. TD做厙輦⑹ is a diploma and, as such, cannot be used as a post-nominal by those who have completed it. However, you can refer to it on your curriculum vitae (CV) and other documents where you refer to your qualifications.
- Is the TD做厙輦⑹ equivalent to the M做厙輦⑹?
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No, the TD做厙輦⑹ is the qualification term for the three Theory exams of the M做厙輦⑹. Candidates need to successfully pass the Clinical exam in order to obtain the full M做厙輦⑹
- Will I still have the TD做厙輦⑹ if I go onto to pass the M做厙輦⑹ Clinical examination?
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Yes. While the M做厙輦⑹ supersedes the TD做厙輦⑹, you will still have completed the TD做厙輦⑹ by passing all three Theory examinations before passing the Clinical examination and attaining the M做厙輦⑹.
As such, you can continue to refer to the TD做厙輦⑹ on your CV and other documents where you refer to your qualifications even after you have completed the M做厙輦⑹.
- What happens to my TD做厙輦⑹ if I do not go on to pass the M做厙輦⑹ Clinical examination within 7 years of passing my final Theory examination?
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Nothing. The TD做厙輦⑹ is a standalone diploma and, as such, is not subject to the 7-year currency rule for the M做厙輦⑹.
Candidates who wish to attain the M做厙輦⑹ will still need to pass the Clinical examination within 7 years of passing their final Theory examination. If they do not, they will need to re-take and pass the AKP exam in order to be eligible to attempt the clinical exam again.
- I passed the three Theory exams a few years ago. Can I still use the terminology TDRPCH?
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Yes. The TD做厙輦⑹ term is the qualification name for the Theory component of the Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (M做厙輦⑹). Any candidate (UK and overseas) who has passed the exams in their current format i.e. since June 2013, can use the terminology. However, only candidates who take and pass the Theory exams from June 2025 will have the TD做厙輦⑹ mentioned in their results letter.