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.
Notification to Diplomate exam candidates of changes from March 2023
Diplomate Examination - Formulae sheet
Change in exam dates
Following discussions with the Speciality Registrar Committee, Training Programme Directors and Heads of School about candidate wellbeing, the Diplomate Exam Development Committee has made the decision to separate the exam days by one working day. This decision is supported by the Education Committee. This will take effect from October 2022.
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.
