Applying for the Diplomate Membership Exam
The examination is open to those who hold either of the following:
- a university degree
- equivalent qualifications and/or experience approved by the Education Committee.
Qualifications or experience which are accepted for entry into a Master's level university programme will most likely be approved by the Education Committee for entry into The Faculty of Public Health Diplomate examination (DFPH). It is not necessary to be enrolled on a training course to sit the examination.
Delivery of the DFPH Examination
The DFPH examination is held using VICTVS test centres at locations around the UK and Hong Kong. VICTVS are a UK-based global company and are experts in the administration of high-stake, professional examinations and they currently run all the PLAB exams in the UK on behalf of the GMC.
FPH will have exclusive access to the test centres – or a discrete part of them – to minimise the risk of disturbance from other exams that might be taking place on the same day. The TestReach platform is used for the exam, but without the need to connect to a remote invigilator. All devices and screens will be provided by the test centres, though there will be flexibility over additional or other equipment (see below).
Examination dates
Please refer to the examination dates advertised below.
Rest day
Please note that the rest day between the two papers will be retained as this was the overwhelming wish of the registrars and other candidates we canvassed.
Test centre locations
The locations of the test centres are Belfast; Edinburgh; London; Leeds; Birmingham; Bristol; Liverpool and Hong Kong. Candidates from outside the UK will be required to sit the exam at a test centre either in the UK or in Hong Kong.
Application process
The exam application window will open via the Members Portal as advertised below.
Applicants will be required to choose their preferred location of test centre. We fully expect to be able to meet the first-choice preference of all candidates, but candidates can – if they wish - indicate a second preference.
The following will be confirmed with candidates after the application closing date:
- Chosen test centre location.
- Additional equipment requirements and permissions.
Reasonable adjustments and special arrangements
Candidates will need to submit any reasonable adjustment requests to the FPH Exams team as soon as possible after the application opening date but by 5pm on application closing date at the latest. Candidates will be asked to state any special arrangements required on the application booking page, for example, multi-faith room, nursing mother’s room, special equipment.
Candidates will be permitted to bring their own screen overlays if required. If candidates wish to bring any ergonomic equipment, please state your request in the application booking page or email the Exams Co-ordinator with your request latest by 5pm on application closing date. It is not usually possible to request any special arrangements after the application period has closed as the exam venue arrangements are being finalised.
Please also note the following:
- As directed by the UK regulators, all candidates must sit the exam in the same delivery format. It is not possible to choose between remote invigilation and test centre delivery – all candidates are required to attend a test centre to sit the exam.
- International candidates outside of the Hong Kong College of Community Medicine will be required to book a space at either in Hong Kong or at a UK test centre.
- A spellcheck function is not currently available on the TestReach platform.
Please note that candidates can choose to apply to use the ‘sticker’ system as part of a reasonable adjustment request. The ‘sticker’ system is simply to bring to the attention of the marker that the candidate has a neurodiverse condition and that there may be errors in written expression. Candidates will therefore not be penalised unduly for errors that have nothing to do with the understanding of the subject. Candidates with learning disabilities or using voice-activated software are under no obligation to use this ‘sticker’ system and may choose not to. Other candidates may request to use the sticker system as part of their request for exceptional arrangements. Please indicate whether you wish to apply the sticker system when you apply for your adjustment. This adjustment request will then be considered by the Assistant Academic Registrar, as part of any request for exceptional arrangements and in accordance with the conditions above.
Spellcheck functionality can be requested as a reasonable adjustment if this is a recommendation in a professional report. Please note that as spell check is not available in the platform, this will be provided outside of the TestReach system in the form of Microsoft Word to use alongside TestReach. Candidates can practise using this with the TestReach Functionality Test in advance of the exam. We are aware that copying and pasting paragraphs between Microsoft Word and the TestReach platform can sometimes result in some residual formatting issues. Examiners will be alerted to this and candidates will not be penalised. Candidates can request to use assistive technology in the form of dictation (voice to text) software if they feel this would be more beneficial. Please contact the Exams Team for more details.
Notification to Diplomate exam candidates of changes to marking rules from March 2023
Notification to Diplomate exam candidates of inclusion of a Formulae Sheet from March 2023
Diplomate Examination - Formulae sheet
Change in exam fees
From March 2024, the exam fees will be changing. The standard exam fee for DFPH will be £835. Public Health Registrars, Practitioner and International Practitioner members will be eligible for a discount of £125.
The new fees will therefore be £710 for registrars and UK/International practitioner members (of the FPH) and £835 for all other candidates.
Please note closing dates are absolute. Applications received after 17:00 (UK time) on the closing date will not be accepted.
Please ensure that you read the exam FAQs before you apply.
Please note that a new set of Exam Regulations have now been published to reflect the change in format of the exam.
For practical information and policies relating to both exams please see here.
Hong Kong College of Community Medicine (HKCCM) Candidates
**Please note: There is an additional fee for candidates wishing to sit the examination in Hong Kong who do not have a medical background or are not on a Hong Kong training programme. See here for further information
Additional attempts
Please note that no candidate will normally be permitted more than six attempts at the examination without providing evidence of additional educational experience. Guidance regarding the additional educational experience process can be found on the FPH website in the section dealing with the application process. Candidates applying for their seventh or subsequent sitting will need to submit the additional attempt form in addition to the standard application form.
Please see further information here
Tax relief for exam fees
The HMRC confirmed in 2015 that they are satisfied that public health registrars employed on a specialty training contract and who pay the MFPH exam fees themselves will qualify for a deduction of the cost of those fees against their earnings from that employment.
Registrars will be able to claim this tax relief either by completing form P87 or through their self-assessment tax return if they meet the criteria for self-assessment. For more information, please visit GOV.UK.
To allow HMRC to handle claims as efficiently as possible, registrars should include a receipt or proof of payment from the Faculty for the MFPH exam. Claims made without a proof of payment may be delayed while HMRC contact the individual to request supportive evidence.
