ABSTRACT
Radiology is the most competitive and rapidly expanding specialty in medicine. Advances in technology and new legislation have driven a change in the examination structure by the Royal College of Radiologists. The new part 1 FRCR examination was introduced in December 2002 and covers basic physics and radiation safety, with the aim that candidates move into practical specialist training earlier in their training. The exam is held three times a year at five UK centres and in Dublin, Singapore and Hong Kong. No minimum period of clinical experience or clinical radiology training is needed to enter the examination, nor is attendance on a physics course compulsory. This means that for the first time it is open to non-radiology trainees who are hoping to enter specialist training in the future.
