The Part 2 written exam assesses clinical knowledge and decision-making. It is delivered online and leads to Fellowship.
The Part 2 Written FRCOphth is a written exam based on the learning outcomes of the Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) curriculum. It tests your ability to apply clinical knowledge to the diagnosis, investigation and management of ophthalmic conditions.
Anyone in years 4 to 7 of OST or with equivalent ophthalmology training and experience. You must have passed the Part 1 FRCOphth exam before sitting Part 2 written.
Application opening dates, closing dates and exam dates are published in the exams calendar, where you will also find a link to submit your application through My RCOphth.
Reasonable adjustments
If you would like to request a reasonable adjustment for your exam, please view our policies and procedures.
Prepare for your online exam
Before exam day, make sure you have read the guidance and completed any required system checks.
- Candidate tips (PDF)
After you apply
Within 10 working days of the closing date, you will receive confirmation of your exam place and key information about sitting the exam. If you have not received communication within this timeframe, email [email protected].
You will receive system check instructions one week before the exam and your access links between 72 and 24 hours before the exam.
The Part 2 Written FRCOphth is usually held twice a year and consists of:
- two multiple-choice question (MCQ) papers, each with 90 questions
- two papers on the same day.
The pass mark is set in advance using the Ebel method. To pass the exam, you must achieve the pass mark plus one standard error of measurement. Pass mark setting methods may change at the College’s discretion.
Exam fees are reviewed annually.
Read our cancellations policy in our exams terms and conditions for information about refunds.
Results are released by the deadline shown in the Exams calendar, once verified by the Exams board. We may release them earlier at our discretion.
We send results by email and publish pass lists and exam reports on our website. Please do not contact the exams team before the published results date to ask when results will be released.
- View pass lists and exam reports
- Read the exams appeals procedure
Please read the Part 2 Written Information Pack before contacting us. If you still need support with your application, please email [email protected].
Candidates who pass both the Part 1 FRCOphth and Part 2 FRCOphth Written examinations will be awarded the Certificate of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (CertRCOphth).
CertRCOphth holders may use the post-nominal CertRCOphth and are eligible to apply for Affiliate Membership of the College. If a candidate later achieves Fellowship, the FRCOphth post-nominal will replace CertRCOphth.
The CertRCOphth will not be awarded retrospectively. However, a previous pass in the Part 1 FRCOphth examination will be recognised for candidates who go on to sit and pass the Part 2 FRCOphth Written examination from December 2022 onwards.
Candidates who passed the Part 2 FRCOphth Written examination before December 2022 will not be awarded the CertRCOphth retrospectively.
Candidates awarded the CertRCOphth will receive a digital certificate. They will not be eligible to attend the Admissions Ceremony.