Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Faculty of Science Fellowship by training and examination does not qualify you to be employed as a Pathologist. The Fellowship is to recognise and train senior Scientists in a Pathology related discipline, as a Scientist.

Established in 2009, the RCPA Faculty of Science was founded to train and develop a career path for senior scientists working within the field of Pathology. The Faculty has 4 pathways to Fellowship: by examination; by research; by Scientific Achievement; and by Pathology Informatics (Please see descriptions below).
In 2011, 299 founding Fellows were grandfathered into Fellowship via a strict peer review process.

Scientists working in a Pathology related field with a minimum of 5 years post graduate experience are eligible to apply for a Training Determination. The Fellowship by examination pathway involves workplace-based training for a period of 5 years, unless a training determination has been made to reduce this time. The scientist should collaborate with their employer to determine how the needs of the FSc curriculum and workplace-based assessment requirements will be fulfilled within their employment. All training for the fellowship is within the workplace. 

Experienced scientists with a minimum of 5 years post graduate experience can apply to have their extensive experience &/or study and qualifications recognised towards Fellowship. This recognition would generally be in the form of training time credits towards the 5-year training program. In some instances, exemption may also be given for some of the assessment components. These Scientists should complete the "Training determination form" to have their time credit or real training time determined. The supporting documentation is listed on the form and includes a CV, certified copies of qualifications and transcripts. In addition, a statement on how qualifications and experience meet the FSc curriculum standards detailed in the discipline specific trainee handbooks is also required.

Following receipt and acceptance of a Training Determination applicants will then be invited to formally register into training. Eligible scientists must be employed in an RCPA accredited laboratory, with access to at least one Fellow of the RCPA (FRCPA or FFSc) preferably within their discipline who has agreed to act as a supervisor. The Principal Examiner of the relevant discipline will need to approve any supervisor who is not a fellow of the College.
Should you not be an RCPA member and need to confirm the status of a sites accreditation, please email labs@rcpa.edu.au

Currently, eligible candidates can register in the following disciplines:

  • Anatomical Pathology
  • Chemical Pathology
  • Forensic Science
  • Genetic Pathology
  • Haematology
  • Immunopathology
  • Immunopathology - Immunogenetics and Transplantation
  • Microbiology

Those senior scientists who have already received a training determination will be required to complete a registration form and pay any relevant fees BUT will not be required to resubmit supporting documentation.

In 2024, the Initial Registration fee is a once off payment of $110 (GST incl). Annual training fees are $2200 (GST incl) and calculated on a pro-rata basis quarterly for mid-year registrations. (All values are in $AU) A fee equal to that of the Initial Registration fee is payable when seeking a training determination.

Scientists with 30 or more publications are invited to review the eligibility guidelines and application process at the following page, Fellowship by Research.

This is available to Medical and Dental graduates who have already attained fellowship of the RCPA. For eligibility guidelines, see Fellowship by Scientific Achievement
This is available to professionals with demonstrated expertise and leadership in Pathology Informatics. For eligibility guidelines see Fellowship by Pathology Informatics.

Please contact bea@rcpa.edu.au with any further enquiries.

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Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia © 2024 . Apart from any use that is permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), and any permissions explicitly granted by Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, all other rights are reserved.

05-Dec-2023
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