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FPM Board of Examiners

The Board of Examiners is responsible for the conduct of all examinations held by FPM. These include the Examinations for the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine (DPM), the Diploma and Certificate in Human Pharmacology (DCHP) and the Diploma in Experimental Therapeutics (DET).

Applying to become a Member of the Board of Examiners

A potential Examiner must satisfy the eligibility criteria below and confirm that they can commit to performing the role.

Eligibility

A potential Examiner in pharmaceutical medicine must:

  • Be an FPM Member or Fellow
  • Be registered and in good standing with the GMC and hold a license to practice
  • Be an Educational Supervisor (ES) or Specialty Adviser (SA) or hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) in Pharmaceutical Medicine
  • Fall into one of the exemption categories listed below*
  • Submit a CV and have the support from a referee

Time Commitment

For a member of the Board of Examiners (outside of the OBOE group) the time commitment varies depending how enthusiastic one is. At a minimum BOE members are expected to :

  • Attend an examiners’ training day at least once every three years. Time = 5 hours.
  • Attend the AGM.  Time = 4 hrs.
  • Complete Equality and Diversity Training at least once every three years (available via the FPM or a certificate of completion of a company equivalent is acceptable). Time = approx. 2 hrs.
  • Submit at least one examination question every year. Time = approx. 2 hrs.
  • Review the draft examination papers (Time = approx 1/2 day), participate in standard setting (Time = approx 1 day), or mark (Time = approx 1 day) at least once every three years.
  • Maintain GMC registration with a license to practice and be in good standing

* Exception of these requirements for:

  • Examiners who have expertise in any area of Pharmaceutical Medicine or examining and are invited by the FPM Board of Trustees to participate in the activities of the Board of Examiners but are not Members or Fellows of the FPM.
  • Examiners who participate in the DCHP/DET Examination Group, who are not medically qualified but have extensive experience in clinical pharmacology and phase I I units.
  • International Examiners who hold full medical registration with their host country regulator (with entry on the specialist register/GP register where appropriate) and without limitation on their practice.

See the Board of Examiners – roles and responsibilities, section 2.2 Selection and appointment of new Examiners for more information on becoming an Examiner.

Examiners' Training Day

The BoE Examiner Training Day is held once a year and is free to attend. Existing examiners should attend once every three years to maintain their Examiner status and should register their interest with the Exams Team at exams@fpm.org.uk New Examiners are required to attend as part of their training and approval.

Details for the next Training Day is as follows:

Date Time Venue
Friday 10 October 10-15:00 Virtual

Terms and conditions: Attendees’ personal data will be used for the purposes of event administration only. Please note the FPM’s privacy policy.

If you wish to apply to become an Examiner and attend the Examiner Training Day, please complete the form below

Application for FPM examiner

Appointment of new Examiners

Potential new examiners are required to:

  • Provide a curriculum vitae and a statement of support from a referee
  • Undergo induction training comprising:
    • Active participation in the Examiners’ Training Day
    • Shadow marking at least one short answer question (SAQ) for all candidates sitting a previous examination and discussing marks with an experienced examiner.
  • Contribute at least two MCQs and one SAQ, ideally prior to the training day they attend so these can be discussed.

The suitability of potential new examiners will be assessed by the relevant Examination Group.  Those considered suitable will be recommended to the Annual Meeting of the full Board of Examiners which takes place each December.