top of page

FRCPath Part 2 Medical Microbiology exam guide.

The final FRCPath examination: one written paper of complex scenarios and short-answer questions, and a 15-station OSPE with face-to-face stations. Format, eligibility, a 24-week plan and the banks that match each paper.

What Part 2 is for

Part 2 tests whether you can apply your expertise appropriately and safely at consultant level — interpreting clinical and laboratory information, running infection prevention, and communicating clearly with colleagues and patients.

The format

Part 2 at a glance.

2papers — written and OSPE — usually on the same day
3 hfor each paper
5complex clinical and laboratory scenarios, typically 7–10 questions each
10short-answer questions, typically 4–5 parts each
15OSPE stations of 9 minutes, plus rest stations
2+face-to-face spoken stations that assess communication
Combinedequal weight — a strong paper can offset a weaker one
UK onlyin person, in spring and autumn
SINCE 2021 RCPath cut Part 2 from four papers over two days to these two papers, removing the essay and critical-appraisal papers. There is no separate oral examination in Medical Microbiology — the spoken element is the face-to-face OSPE stations.
The two papers

Each paper, matched to a bank.

Paper 1 · Written

3 hours
  • 5Complex clinical and laboratory scenarios in microbiology and infection prevention. Each asks you to interpret a clinical history or infection prevention narrative together with laboratory results.
  • 10Short-answer questions on a clinical scenario, an infection prevention topic, a laboratory practice point or laboratory safety.

Paper 2 · OSPE

3 hours
  • 15Stations of 9 minutes each, plus a variable number of rest stations — usually covering laboratory practice, clinical infection scenarios, infection prevention, data interpretation and research methods.
  • 2+Face-to-face spoken stations with examiners, assessing how you communicate.
Eligibility

Can you sit Part 2?

Medically qualified

  • Passed FRCPath Part 1 (Medical Microbiology and Virology, or the Infection route)
  • RCPath recommends at least 3 years of specialty training before attempting Part 2
  • Registered medical practitioner, with readiness confirmed by your educational supervisor or sponsor

Non-medically qualified

  • Passed FRCPath Part 1
  • Clinical scientists need a qualification acceptable to the College — suitable for the HSST route
  • Biomedical scientists are considered individually

International graduates

  • Pass Part 1 first; training equivalence is assessed by the Royal College of Pathologists
  • Part 2 Medical Microbiology is held only in the UK — plan travel and a visa early
  • The International Trainee Support Scheme (ITSS) offers mentorship
  • Read the IMG FRCPath roadmap →
ATTEMPTSNormally four attempts at Part 2. A Part 1 pass normally stays current for up to 7 years.
APPLYThrough the RCPath website, paying at application. The 2026 fee is £1,576 (RCPath fee schedule) — always confirm current fees and dates with RCPath.
What’s examined

Consultant-level application.

Part 2 builds on Part 1 knowledge and asks you to use it — across these areas.

Clinical microbiologyComplex cases, diagnostic interpretation and treatment decisions
Laboratory practiceQuality, method validation and laboratory safety
Infection preventionOutbreaks, policies, surveillance and the environment
Data interpretationLaboratory results, molecular diagnostics and susceptibility testing
CommunicationConsultations, patients and the multidisciplinary team
BacteriologyIdentification, resistance mechanisms and clinical correlation
VirologyViral diagnostics, molecular techniques and management
MycologyFungal identification, antifungal testing and significance
ParasitologyDiagnostic techniques, life cycles and treatment
Antimicrobial stewardshipResistance patterns, guidelines and policy
Molecular diagnosticsPCR, sequencing and interpretation
Research methodsStudy design, statistics and evidence-based practice
How to prepare

A 24-week Part 2 plan.

Candidates who start 24 weeks or more before the exam have the best chance of completing every Part 2 bank and several timed mock days. Starting earlier? Stretch each phase.

  1. Weeks 1–6Foundations and guidelinesMove from Part 1 knowledge to clinical application with the training modules, UK SMIs, NICE and UKHSA guidance.
  2. Weeks 7–12Scenarios and SAQsWork through the Complex Case and SAQ banks by topic, writing full answers against the model answers.
  3. Weeks 13–18OSPE and spoken stationsTimed 9-minute OSPE stations, plus Viva Q-Bank practice for the face-to-face stations.
  4. Weeks 19–24Mock days and revisionSit both papers back to back under exam timing, then target weak areas from your analytics.

On the day

  • 01Plan your time across five scenarios and ten SAQs before you write a word — and keep to it.
  • 02Each OSPE station is 9 minutes. When it ends, leave it behind; use rest stations to reset.
  • 03In face-to-face stations, structure your answer, put safety first and check the other person has understood.
  • 04Marks from both papers are combined, so one hard paper isn’t the end — keep scoring.
FAQ

Part 2, answered.

What is the format of FRCPath Part 2 Medical Microbiology?

Two 3-hour papers, usually on the same day. Paper 1 is written: five complex clinical and laboratory scenarios and ten short-answer questions. Paper 2 is an OSPE of 15 nine-minute stations, including at least two face-to-face spoken stations. The papers carry about equal weight and the marks are combined.

Is there a viva in Part 2?

Not as a separate paper. Since 2021, the spoken element is the face-to-face stations within the OSPE, where examiners assess your communication. Our Viva Q-Bank trains the same skill: structured, safe answers under questioning.

When can I sit Part 2?

After passing Part 1. RCPath recommends medically qualified trainees complete at least 3 years of specialty training first, and your educational supervisor or sponsor confirms you are ready. You normally have four attempts.

Where and when is Part 2 held?

In the UK only, in spring and autumn sessions. For 2026, RCPath’s windows are 23 March–22 May and 21 September–20 November. Check RCPath’s examination dates page for the exact sitting and closing dates.

How much does Part 2 cost?

RCPath’s 2026 fee for Part 2 Medical Microbiology is £1,576, paid when you apply. International candidates should also budget for travel to the UK. Fees change each year, so confirm with RCPath.

What does Part 2 Premium include?

All Part 2 Q-banks — OSPE, Complex Case, SAQ and Viva, 1,000+ each — plus all training modules, timed mocks with analytics, WhatsApp expert access, the discussion group, videos, podcasts and flash cards, for a full year.

Pass Part 2 first time.

Part 2 Premium: £2,999 a year — about £8.22 a day for every Part 2 bank, module, mock and expert.

Always confirm the current format, eligibility, fees and dates with the Royal College of Pathologists before you apply. FRCPath Prep is independent and not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Royal College of Pathologists. Sources: RCPath — Medical Microbiology examinations · RCPath — Part 2 Medical Microbiology format (revised 2021) · RCPath — Examinations regulations and guidelines 2026 · RCPath — Fees for examinations 2026 · RCPath — Examination news and dates
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
© Copyright FRCPath PRep
bottom of page