Certificate and Procedural Training

The RANZCOG Certificate and Procedural vocational training programs equip medical practitioners to deliver high-quality women’s health services across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Introduction

The Certificate and Procedural training program is a three-tier structure of qualifications that includes the Certificate of Women’s Health (CWH), Associate Training Program (Procedural) (PTP), and Associate Training Program (Advanced Procedural) (APTP).*

Fundamental to these qualifications is flexibility — these three qualifications can be undertaken separately or concurrently, and the College encourages you to select the pathway that best suits your development and personal circumstances. 

As you progress from CWH to PTP to APTP, your training will reflect a progressive increase in knowledge and skills, and a shift to independent practice.

*Please be advised that the previous Certificate and Diploma qualifications have undertaken a name change from February 2024. Curriculum, program requirements and program outcomes remain the same; applications approved after 10 October 2023 will be affected by this change.

Learning primarily occurs in the workplace with the support of a collaborative community of clinical educators, supervisors and peers. Training is also supported by targeted face-to-face workshops and a selection of eLearning resources, spread across the three qualifications. 

Please note that the PTP and APTP offered by RANZCOG are vocational training for graduate medical practitioners and are not higher education awards in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.


Application checklist

Prospective approval

Applications must be submitted four weeks before commencing training. Procedure/training dates prior to your training start date cannot be entered into the logbook and will not count towards your procedure numbers.

Evidence of qualification

Applications require a copy of your primary medical degree (in, or translated to English) certified by a licensed or registered official:  

medical practitioner/pharmacist  

justice of the peace/magistrate 

police officer

Evidence of medical registration

Applications require the entry of your Medical Board of Australia (MBA) or Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) registration rumber.

Training site/hospital 

The hospital must be accredited by the College for the training program that you are applying for. CWH can also be completed in an appropriate established GP practice.

Training mentor/supervisor  

Applications require the RANZCOG ID and surname of your RANZCOG-approved training mentor/supervisor(s).

Evidence of employment   

Evidence of your employment is required to complete your application: 

employment contract; or 

letter of offer

Fees

Completion of the program(s) incurs the following fees:

training fee (per program, payable at the time of application)

examination fee (payable when exam application is confirmed) 

Please see the Fees section below for a full list of applicable fees for the CWH, PTP and APTP.

Training time

Irrespective of whether training is on a part-time or full-time basis, all training and assessment requirements must be completed within two years of the commencement of training, or four years if completing two or more programs concurrently.

RANZCOG membership

On completion of your training, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the College.

Membership fees are payable pro rata on completion of training and then annually

Please see the Fees section below for a full list of applicable fees for the CWH, PTP and APTP.


Certificate of Women’s Health

The Certificate of Women’s Health (CWH) is intended for medical professionals with a special interest in office-based obstetrics and gynaecology. This qualification can be undertaken on its own, or in combination with the PTP and/or APTP.

Following successful completion of the Certificate, you will be qualified to deliver shared antenatal and postnatal care, office gynaecology and family planning.

Timeframe

While there is no minimum period of training for the CWH, it’s generally expected that trainees complete a minimum of three months of pre-approved hospital-based and/or practice-based training. 

Eligibility

To undertake the CWH, you must: 

hold a primary degree in Medicine and Surgery issued by a medical school listed in the WHO Publication World Directory of Medical Schools

be registered with the Medical Board of Australia

be in your first or subsequent postgraduate year

AND you must also satisfy any one of the following eligibility requirements: 

currently providing shared antenatal care with a recognised facility or practising in an established GP practice in an arrangement approved for training by the College

currently an RACGP and/or ACRRM registrar in a GP placement where a suitable training mentor is available

commencing or currently undertaking a hospital appointment in an obstetric RMO rotation at PGY1 and above, generally for a minimum of three months

Approved training sites

CWH training can take place in: 

a hospital accredited by the College for the purposes of CWH training; or 

an appropriate established GP practice with approved training supervision; or 

an approved combination of the above

Training mentors

Trainees must nominate an appropriate training mentor who will: 

provide the trainee with guidance and support

meet regularly with the trainee to review case records, discuss cases, follow up appropriate cases, and review cases referred to consultants

review and sign off on the trainee’s logbook

act as an assessor for Workplace-Based Assessments (WBAs)

Nominated training mentors must be pre-approved by the College and hold at least one of the following:

RANZCOG Associate Member (Procedural)

RANZCOG Associate Member (Advanced Procedural)

DipRACOG members of RACGP/ACRRM

FRANZCOG 

Course content

In-Training Skills Log

CWH1 Basic Skills: ethics, medico-legal matters, cultural matters, communication

CWH2 Introduction to Antenatal and Postnatal Care: preconception and early pregnancy counselling, antenatal visits and examinations, normal pregnancy and puerperium

CWH3 Special Topics in Antenatal and Postnatal Care: teratogenesis, complications of pregnancy, pregnancy-induced disorders

CWH4 Introduction to Gynaecology: gynaecological examinations, family planning and contraception counselling, domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual and reproductive health

CWH5 Special Topics in Gynaecology: gynaecological cancers, endometriosis, subfertility, incontinence, abnormal bleeding, menopause

Workplace-Based Assessments (WBAs)

Communication skills 

Antenatal examinations 

Cervical screening

Training Experience Log

≥ 70 antenatal consultations 

≥ 70 gynaecological consultations 

≥ 12 family planning consultations   

.

Workshop

Online Medical Termination of Pregnancy (mTOP) training course 

Completion requirements

To be awarded the CWH, trainees must complete: 

logbook requirements (outlined above), signed off by your training mentor 

written examination 


Associate Training Program (Procedural)

The RANZCOG Associate Training Program (Procedural) (PTP) is intended for medical professionals with a special interest in hospital-based obstetrics and gynaecology. It builds on the skills developed through the Certificate of Women’s Health.

This qualification can be undertaken on its own, or in combination with the Certificate of Women’s Health and/or RANZCOG Training Program (Advanced Procedural) (APTP).

Following successful completion of the PTP, you will be qualified to safely undertake non-complex deliveries, and perform basic gynaecological procedures.

Timeframe

Completion of the PTP generally involves a minimum of six months of hospital-based training or a combination of accredited hospital and practice-based training.

Eligibility

To undertake the PTP, you must:  

have completed (and maintained membership status) or be enrolled in the CWH

hold a primary degree in Medicine and Surgery issued by a medical school listed in the WHO Publication World Directory of Medical Schools

be registered with the Medical Board of Australia

be in your second (PGY2) or subsequent postgraduate year

be commencing or currently employed at a hospital accredited by the College for the purposes of PTP training

be commencing or currently employed at a combination of appropriate practice-based and PTP accredited hospital-based training sites

be commencing or currently employed at an approved training site(s)

Approved training sites

PTP training can take place in: 

a hospital accredited by the College for the purposes of the PTP

a combination of accredited hospital and practice-based training  

a combination of an accredited hospital and a remote non-accredited site if approved by RANZCOG

Training supervisors

Trainees must nominate an appropriate training supervisor (currently in active obstetric practice in the approved training site) who will: 

provide the trainee ongoing mentoring and support

meet regularly with the trainee to review case records, discuss cases and provide feedback on performance and progress

prepare with the trainee, a remedial plan to assist them in the event they are experiencing difficulties in meeting any aspect of PTP training and/or assessment requirements

act as an assessor and/or approve additional appropriate medical practitioners to act as assessors for logbook requirements 

review and sign off on all requirements in the trainee’s logbook

Nominated training supervisors must be pre-approved by the College and hold at least one of the following:

RANZCOG Associate Member (Procedural)

RANZCOG Associate Member (Advanced Procedural)

FRANZCOG

Course content

In-Training Skills Log

PTP1 Basic Skills: quality assurance methodology and practice, documentation and coding practices

PTP2 Antenatal Care: management of complications in pregnancy, management of pregnancy induced disorders, management of pregnancy in women with pre-existing medical conditions

PTP3 Labour: management of normal labour and delivery, complications in labour, episiotomy and tear repair

PTP4 Postnatal and Neonatal Care: examination of a neonate, neonatal resuscitation, postnatal care

PTP5 Procedural gynaecology: abortion, miscarriage, IUD insertion and removal

Workplace-Based Assessments (WBAs)

Low instrumental delivery (vacuum or forceps) 

Episiotomy/vaginal/perineal tear repair

Examination of a neonate

Normal labour and delivery

Dilatation and curettage

Training Experience Log

≥ 70 antenatal consultations 

≥ 70 gynaecological consultations 

Clinical Procedures Log

≥ 25 personally conduct management of labour and vaginal deliveries, which must include: 

≥ 5 instrumental vaginal deliveries 

≥ 10 personally conduct management of post-partum haemorrhage 

≥ 10 personally conduct management of first-trimester miscarriage 

≥ 3 personally conduct management of retained placenta 

≥ 10 performance of dilatation and curettage 

≥ 5 personally conduct episiotomies 

≥ 7 personally insert and remove an intra-uterine device, which must include: 

≥ 4 in outpatients without general anaesthetic 

≥ 25 personally conduct repair of vulval, vaginal and first and second-degree perineal tears 

Workshops

Management of obstetric emergencies 

CPR of a pregnant woman

Neonatal resuscitation

Fetal Surveillance Education Program (FSEP)

Completion requirements

To be awarded the RANZCOG Associate Training Program (Procedural), you must complete:

logbook requirements (outlined above), signed off by your training supervisor 

written examination


Associate Training Program (Advanced Procedural)

The RANZCOG Associate Training Program (Advanced Procedural) (APTP) is intended for medical professionals who wish to further develop their knowledge and skills in hospital-based obstetrics and gynaecology. It builds on the skills developed through the PTP.

This qualification can be undertaken on its own, or in combination with the Certificate of Women’s Health and/or PTP.

Following successful completion of the APTP, you will be qualified to undertake complex deliveries and advanced gynaecological procedures, and to perform basic early and late pregnancy ultrasound scanning.

Timeframe

Completion of the APTP generally involves a minimum of 6-12 months of hospital-based training, under the supervision of two training supervisors. 

Eligibility

To undertake the APTP, you must:  

have completed (and maintained membership status) or be enrolled in the CWH and PTP

hold a primary degree in Medicine and Surgery issued by a medical school listed in the WHO Publication World Directory of Medical Schools

be registered with the Medical Board of Australia

be in your second (PGY2) or subsequent postgraduate year

be commencing or currently employed at an approved training site(s)

Approved training sites

APTP training can take place in: 

a hospital accredited by the College for the purposes of APTP training

two or more hospitals accredited by the College for the purposes of the APTP, if approved by RANZCOG

a combination of appropriate accredited APTP or non-accredited remote hospitals, if approved by RANZCOG 

Training supervisors

Trainees must nominate two appropriate training supervisors (currently in active obstetric practice in the approved training site) who will: 

provide the trainee ongoing mentoring and support

meet regularly with the trainee to review case records, discuss cases and provide feedback on performance and progress

prepare with the trainee, a remedial plan to assist them in the event they are experiencing difficulties in meeting any aspect of APTP training and/or assessment requirements

act as an assessor and/or approve additional appropriate medical practitioners to act as assessors for logbook requirements

review and sign off on all requirements in the trainee’s logbook, including APTP summative assessment and case syntheses. 

Nominated training supervisors must be pre-approved by the College and hold at least one of the following:  

RANZCOG Associate Member (Advanced Procedural)

FRANZCOG

Course content

In-Training Skills Log

APTP1 Advanced Obstetrics: caesarean delivery, management of obstetric complications

APTP2 Advanced Gynaecology: basic pelvic laparotomy, hysteroscopy

APTP3 Ultrasound: first-trimester scanning, late pregnancy scanning

APTP4 Postnatal and Neonatal Care: examination of a neonate, management of a sick neonate, grief counselling

Workplace-Based Assessments (WBAs)

Caesarean delivery

Instrumental vaginal delivery — vacuum 

Instrumental vaginal delivery — forceps 

Personal management of first-trimester (surgical) abortion OR miscarriage

First-trimester ultrasound scanning — transvaginal 

First-trimester ultrasound scanning — transabdominal 

Third-trimester ultrasound scanning

Clinical Procedures Log

≥ 40 personally perform Caesarean sections, which must include: 

≥ 10 elective Caesareans 

≥ 3 repeat Caesareans 

≥ 10 emergency Caesareans 

≥ 20 personally perform instrumental vaginal deliveries

≥ 5 personally conduct management of post-partum haemorrhage

≥ 10 personally conduct management of first-trimester surgical abortion or missed miscarriage

≥ 15 personally conduct repair of second and third-degree perineal and vaginal tears, which must include: 

≥ 5 third-degree tears

≥ 15 personally conduct first-trimester ultrasound scanning (transvaginal and transabdominal) 

≥ 15 personally conduct third-trimester ultrasound scanning

additional procedures performed/assisted/observed (e.g. pelvic laparotomy, hysterectomy, etc.)

Workshops

Obstetrical Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASIS) 

Basic Obstetric Skills (BOS)

Online Medical Termination of Pregnancy (mTOP) 

Additional requirements

APTP summative assessment

Five case syntheses  

Completion requirements

To be awarded the Associate (Advanced Procedural), trainees must complete:

logbook requirements (outlined above), signed off by your training supervisor 

oral examination


Fees

Training*
Fee
$AUD
Frequency
Certificate and Associate (Procedural) training— one program (CWH, PTP or APTP)
$1,698
One-time course fee
Certificate and Associate (Procedural) training — two programs (CWH + PTP or PTP + APTP)
$3,396
One-time course fee
Certificate and Associate (Procedural) training— three programs (CWH + PTP + APTP)
$5,094
One-time course fee

*Please note the training program fee is payable at the time of application and is non-refundable.

Examination
Fee
$AUD
Frequency
CWH Written Examination
$851
Payable when registration confirmed
PTP Written Examination
$1,134
Payable when registration confirmed
APTP Oral Examination
$3,203
Payable when registration confirmed

Membership
Fee
$AUD
$NZ
Frequency
Annual Subscription Associates (Procedural or Advanced Procedural)
$558 inc GST
$635 inc GST
Due 1 July annually
Annual Subscription Certificants
$470 inc GST
$536 inc GST
Due 1 July annually


Examinations

Click the button below for information on the Certificate and Procedural examinations, including dates and eligibility requirements.


Training sites

For more information on RANZCOG training hospitals, including a full list of accredited sites in each state, please follow the link below to our Training Sites page.


Contact

For more information, please contact Certificate and Procedural Training Programs at: cptp@ranzcog.edu.au

Application processing

The College processes training applications in the order in which they are received. Once your application has been processed, you will receive your supporting training documentation, including a logbook and essential information letter.

Please allow four weeks from the time of submission for processing to occur.

If you haven’t received your documentation prior to your nominated start date, you can begin a record of your procedures and then transcribe them into your logbook, once you receive it.

If you haven’t received your training documentation, and four weeks has passed from the time of submission, please contact: cptp@ranzcog.edu.au.