Pathology
Pathology involves the assessment and diagnosis of patients with diseases. Includes anatomical pathology (including histopathology), chemical pathology, general pathology (a mix of anatomical and clinical pathology), genetics, haematology, immunology, and microbiology (including virology).
Vocational training in pathology can be undertaken:
- solely in laboratory pathology, leading to Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA), or
- in both laboratory pathology and its associated clinical discipline, leading to two Fellowships – the FRCPA and the Fellowship of the of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP).
Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?
To apply for vocational registration in pathology, you would need to hold:
- the FRCPA qualification (to work only in laboratory pathology);
- the FRCPA and FRACP (to work in laboratory pathology and its associated clinical discipline); or
- an international postgraduate medical qualification in pathology, where your combination of qualifications, training and experience is assessed against the standard of the FRCPA (and the FRACP if applicable).
What standard will I be compared against?
To obtain the FRCPA, the trainee completes 6 years of training:
- at least 1 year of general medical experience
- 5 years of advanced training
- training in at least two laboratories
- specialising in general pathology or one of the sub branches
- a pass in the Basic Pathological Sciences Examination is required in the first year of advanced training
- a pass in the FRCPA Part I examination in a chosen subspecialty is required in the third year of advanced training
- a pass in the FRCPA Part II examination in a chosen subspecialty is required in the fifth year of advance training
- FRCPA awarded on satisfactory completion of examination and training requirements
- participation required in the RCPA continuing professional development programme
I want to make a vocational registration application
If you wish to make a vocational registration application, please refer to the Vocational Registration Homepage and select the Option appropriate for you.
Am I able to apply for other types of registration?
You may be able to apply for more than one type of registration. To find out which is the best fit for you, please use our self assessment tool