eligibility to attempt part 2 Examination and successful completion of the part 2 examination policy FAculty of Clinical Radiology THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGISTS
Eligibility to Attempt the Radiology Part 2 Examination & Successful Completion of the Part 2 Examination Approved by: Faculty of Clinical Radiology Date of approval: 5 November 2010. Updated 01 July 2016 ABN 37 000 029 863 Copyright for this publication rests with The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Level 9, 51 Druitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Email: ranzcr@ranzcr.edu.au Website: www.ranzcr.edu.au Telephone: +61 2 9268 9777 Facsimile: +61 2 9268 9799 Disclaimer: The information provided in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended as a substitute for medical or legal advice. It is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient and his/her doctor.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 3 1.1 Purpose 3 1.2 Scope 3 1.3 Background 3 1.4 Structure of the Part 2 Examination 3 2. Eligibility 4 2.1 Trainees in the Old Radiology Program 4 2.2 Trainees in the Current Radiology Program 4 2.3 International Medical Graduates/Overseas Trained Specialists 5 3. Application to Sit the Part 2 Examination 5 4. Withdrawal from Exam 5 5. Successful Completion of the Part 2 Examination 5 5.1 Requirements for All Trainees 5 5.2 Trainees in the Old Training Program 6 5.3 Trainees in the Current Training Program 6 5.4 International Medical Graduates (IMGs) 6 6. Examination Conduct 6 7. Unsuccessful Completion 7 8. Special Consideration 7 8.1 Exceptions 7 8.2 Maternity Leave / Interrupted Training 7 8.3 Extended Absences from the Training Program 7 9. Written Advice 8 10. Appeals 8 11. Related Policies 8 Page 2 of 9
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose This policy prescribes the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (the College) eligibility requirements for candidates intending to attempt the Radiology Part 2 examination. 1.2 Definitions This Policy applies to: Trainees in the old Radiology Training Program; Trainees (Trainees) accepted by the College to the current Radiology Training Progam. (All trainees entering the RANZCR Diagnostic Radiology training program from January 2010 (Australia) and December 2009 (New Zealand) are entering the current training program); International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are deemed eligible to attempt the Part 2 examination. 1.3 Background The College sets the standards of training and practice in Radiology and Radiation Oncology. The College will be delivering two training programs in Radiodiagnosis until at least 2014. After 2014 the majority of trainees in the old training program will have completed their training. Eligibility requirements to sit the part 2 examination are different for trainees depending on whether they are in the old or current training program. 1.4 Structure of the Part 2 Examination The Part 2 examination in Radiology consists of: MCQ Radiodiagnosis Film reporting Vivas - Neurology, Head & Neck - Cardiovascular/Thoracic - Abdominal Imaging - Mammography, Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Paediatrics - Musculoskeletal Pathology MCQ and Viva Page 3 of 9
2. ELIGIBILITY 2.1 Trainees in the Old Radiology Training Program In order to attempt the Part 2 examination in Radiology candidates must: Candidates in accredited training positions have passed the Part 1 examination in Radiology; must submit their examination application and payment prior to the submission deadline (late applications and payments will not be accepted); must be financial member of the College (all subscription and training fees must be up to date); be in an accredited training position; and have completed at least 3 years of accredited training. Candidates not currently in an accredited training position have passed the Part 1 examination in Radiology; must submit their examination application and payment prior to the submission deadline (late applications and payments will not be accepted); must be financial member of the College (all subscription and training fees must be up to date); have completed at least 5 years of accredited training. 2.2 Trainees in the Current Radiology Training Program 2.2.1 Candidates in accredited training positions have passed the Part 1 examination in Radiology; be in an accredited position; have completed all in training assessments and portfolio requirements for phase 1 of training and; must submit their examination application and payment prior to the submission deadline (late applications and payments will not be accepted); must be a financial member of the College (all subscription and training fees must be up to date); completed at least 3 years of accredited training. Page 4 of 9
2.2.2 Trainees in the Current Radiology Training Program Who are on Probation Trainees in the current training program who have been placed on probation in accordance with the requirements of the Policy entitled: Identification, Support, Management and Progression of Radiology Trainees in Difficulty in Phase 2 of the current Radiology Training Program ARE NOT permitted to sit the Part 2 examination, whilst on probation. 2.3 International Medical Graduates/Overseas Trained Specialists be an overseas trained specialist; be deemed eligible by the College to attempt the Part 2 examination; and Must apply for the FRANZCR Part 2 Examination within three (3) years of specialists assessment 3. APPLICATION TO SIT THE PART 2 EXAMINATION Applications to sit the Part 2 examination must be made in writing on the appropriate form. This form is available from the College website. The application form must be signed by the Director of Training or Head of Department and accompanied by the examination fee. An IMG must attach the College specialist recognition outcome letter to the examination application. The form and payment must be submitted prior to the submission deadline. Late applications and payments will not be accepted. Candidates will receive e-mail notification acknowledging receipt of their application within 3 business days from the Senior Education Officer (Radiology). Confirmation of receipt of application will not be given verbally (i.e. via telephone). 4. WITHDRAWAL FROM EXAM Candidates may choose to withdraw from the Part 2 examination, without financial penalty if they do so 4 weeks in advance of the examination date. Candidates who withdraw within four weeks of the exam will receive a 50% refund of the fees paid. Candidates who fail to attend the examination will forfeit the examination fee. Candidates who fail to attend the examination without a valid reason and supporting documentation will be considered to have had a failed attempt. 5. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PART 2 EXAMINATION 5.1 Requirement for all Trainees and IMGs Regardless of which Training Program they are in or if the candidate is an IMG: Page 5 of 9
An attempt means sitting for any component of the Part 2 examination (including written or viva components). Candidates are not permitted to split components and must re-sit all components not passed at their previous attempt at their next attempt. A candidate who successfully completes a component at their first (or subsequent) attempt but fails another component on that same attempt does not need to re-sit the successfully completed component on their later attempts at the Part 2 examination (maximum of 4 attempts inclusive of first attempt). Candidates will carry an exemption in all passed components at their next and future examination attempts where applicable. Candidates may have up to 4 attempts over 2 years of training. Sittings are recommended sequentially but not required. 5.2 Trainees in the Old Training Program In order for a candidate to successfully complete the Part 2 examination the candidate must: sit all components at their first attempt; pass all components within 2 years of their first attempt (maximum 4 attempts inclusive of first attempt). 5.3 Trainees in the Current Training Program In order for a candidate to successfully complete the Part 2 examination the candidate must: sit all components at their first attempt pass all components within 2 years of their first attempt (maximum 4 attempts inclusive of first attempt) (Refer to page 23 of the Curriculum-RANZCR Radiodiagnosis Training Program Diagram) 5.4 IMGS In order for an IMG candidate to successfully complete the Part 2 examination, the candidate must: Sit all components at their first attempt Apply for the first attempt within three (3) years of the specialist assessment Pass all components within 2 years of their first attempt (maximum 4 attempts inclusive of first attempt). 6. EXAMINATION CONDUCT The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists may refuse to admit to the examination, or to proceed with the examination, any candidate who infringes a regulation of the examination or is considered to be guilty of behaviour prejudicial to the proper management and conduct of the examination. Page 6 of 9
The following regulations apply to the examinations: During the vivas no electronic communication or recording devices are to enter the examination room with candidates During the vivas all electronic communication devices are to be handed to assigned staff for the duration of the exams During the vivas, bags of any description are not to be taken into examination rooms During the e- exams, candidates will be asked to leave all personal belongings, including all electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc.), at the front of the exam room. Any candidate in possession of an electronic communication device at the time of the exam, or found with or giving information to other candidates recorded or otherwise, during, or after, the exam, will be deemed to have failed the entire examination series and will be required to re-sit at an alternative series. 7. UNSUCCESSFUL COMPLETION A candidate who does not successfully complete the requirements outlined in section 5 of this policy is required to undertake a minimum of 12 months up to a maximum of 2 years of Clinical Radiology Education and Training Committee, approved remediation and/or further training in a RANZCR accredited training site. Such a candidate may then apply to attempt the Part 2 examination again but must pass all components within 2 sittings in a 12-month period. If a candidate is unsuccessful at this time, they would then no longer be eligible to sit the Part 2 examination or continue in the Radiodiagnosis training program 8. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION 8.1 Exceptions The Chief Censor in Radiology will consider exceptions to the conditions of successful completion on a case-by-case basis. In general, an exemption to the policy will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Applications for exemption must be made in writing to the Chief Censor in Radiology. The Chief Censor in Radiology will also consider exemptions from candidates on a case-by-case basis. 8.2 Maternity Leave/ Interrupted Training Trainees on maternity leave or interrupted training must advise the Chief Censor of their situation regarding maternity leave or interrupted training prior to the examination closing date at the series they wish to sit and their eligibility to sit the exams will be at the discretion of the Chief Censor. 8.3 Extended Absences from the Training Program If a trainee is absent from the training program for an extended period of time the Chief Censor will decide if the trainee is permitted to keep previous examination passes. An extended absence from the training program would be considered to 1 or more years of continual absence from the training program. Page 7 of 9
9. WRITTEN ADVICE Candidates will be advised in writing of: the outcome of each component of the Part 2 examination that they attempt; and their status regarding any exemptions they will carry into the next sitting; the number of remaining part 2 examination attempts; and information on the College s Appeals process. 10. APPEALS The College will provide candidates with information on the College s Appeals Process in result letters. 11. RELATED POLICY DOCUMENTS RANZCR Policy on Reconsideration, Review and Appeal of Decisions RANZCR Interrupted and Part-time Training Policy for Radiology RANZCR Radiology Trainees in Difficulty Policy Format and Marking of the Part 1 and Part 2 Radiology Examination Page 8 of 9
THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGISTS