Subspeciality FAQs

FAQ Index

question	answer
Why are there subspecialties?
What subspecialty training programs does RANZCOG offer?
What do the training programs entail?
When can I start subspecialty training?
How do I become a subspecialty trainee?
What fees do I need to pay?
Can I do some of my training overseas?
When can I do the exams?
Can I do the exams overseas?
Is there a timeframe for completing the examinations?
How many times can I sit the examinations?
What format do the examinations take?
What does the Research Project involve?
What if I have a PhD or M Med? Can I get an exemption from any of the clinical training?
Can I train in more than one subspecialty?
I’m an overseas trainee / specialist. Can I register for subspecialty training?
I’m a subspecialist in my own country but want to practise in Australia or New Zealand. How do I get my qualification recognised?

FAQs

Why are there Subspecialties?

The subspecialty training programs were introduced by the College

• To improve knowledge, practice, teaching and research.

• To promote the concentration of specialised expertise, special facilities and clinical material that will be of considerable benefit to some patients.

• To improve the recruitment of talented graduates into areas of recognised subspecialisation.

• To establish a close understanding and working relationship with other disciplines.

• To encourage co-ordinated management of relevant clinical services throughout a region.

• To accept a major regional responsibility for higher training, research and audit in areas of recognised subspecialisation.

• To establish, as far as possible, consistency in recruitment, training and assessment across areas of recognised subspecialisation.

What subspecialty training programs does RANZCOG offer?

• Certificate in Gynaecological Oncology (CGO)
• Certificate in Obstetrical & Gynaecological Ultrasound (COGU)
• Certificate in Maternal Fetal Medicine (CMFM)
• Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (CREI)
• Certificate in Urogynaecology (CU)

What do the training programs entail?

All subspecialty training programs have the same basic components:

• a three-year clinical training program, with the first year to be spent in an approved Australian / New Zealand training unit AND completed on a full-time basis (years two and three can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis)
• up to two years break from training, after which credit for training may be lost
• mid-semester and 6-monthly assessments, training summaries, trainee feedback questionnaires
• a research project (which has to be approved after the first 6 months of training, and must be submitted BEFORE the second examination
• written and oral examinations – after 24 months of approved training provided and another 6 months of training can be reasonably expected to be complete by the time of the examination)

Most subspecialty programs require completion of a biostatistics course; some require a counselling and/or a genetics course. COGU has a practical ultrasound exam. MFM Trainees are required to complete the DDU Part 1 and the practical ultrasound exam.

Full details of the requirements are in each Training Program Manual on this website More

You should also check the policies governing all subspecialties in the Subspecialties Policies and Procedures Handbook More ( 387KB )

When can I start subspecialty training?

If you are an ITP Trainee in the pre-2004 curriculum, you can start in 5th year, provided you have passed the Membership Examination at the time of application, and completed 4 years of approved ITP training at the time of starting subspecialty training. Both years will be credited towards subspecialty training. Or you can wait until either your final year of Fellowship training, or until you have completed all Fellowship requirements.

If you’re starting with the new ITP curriculum (which was introduced in 2004), you will be able to spend the two elective years in subspecialty hospital appointments, but you may not spend both years in the same subspecialty. Only one year of post-membership training can be credited towards subspecialty training. In effect, this means that trainees in the new curriculum would only start formal subspecialty training in their sixth year. You’ll still need to have completed the Membership Examination and four years of approved ITP training, as above.

How do I become a subspecialty trainee?

• All Subspecialty Training Programs operate a National Selection Process. Positions are advertised in the January, February and March issues of the Training and Assessment Bulletin and College Connexion and the March issue of O&G magazine, with a closing date in late March/early April. Interviews are held in May. Interviews are usually face to face. All use set criteria for selection (see individual training manuals) and a standard scoring system. Trainees are then matched to available training positions.
• Details of applications and selection criteria are in the relevant Training Program Manuals on this website More

What fees do I need to pay?

• The standard training fee - $950 in 2009 - plus your Membership or Fellowship annual subscription.
• COGU and MFM trainees pay a fee for the practical ultrasound examination - $790 in 2009.
• All trainees pay an examination fee – $1040 for the written examination and $2550 for the oral examination in 2009.
  

Can I do some of my training overseas?

You MUST spend the first year of training at an approved Australian / New Zealand training site.

You are encouraged to spend time in different training units both here and overseas to gain broader experience. However, many of the subspecialties now require certain minimum procedures, so you may need to spend more time training back in Australia or New Zealand in order to achieve these targets. This is because overseas units may not have the broad spread of experience required to complete training.

When can I do the exams?

You must have completed 24 months of approved training and expect to satisfactorily complete a further 6 months of prospectively approved training by the time of the examination to attempt either the written or oral examination.

CMFM and COGU trainees also have to pass a practical ultrasound exam before their first attempt at an exam (written or oral), and CMFM trainees must complete the DDU Part 1 prior to the practical ultrasound examination.

Written exams are usually on the first Monday of August (at the same time as the Membership exam).

Oral exams are in September/October depending on examiner availability.

Can I do the exam overseas?

You can do the written exam at any approved venue in Australia or New Zealand in conjunction with the Membership exam.

It may be possible to sit the examination in some overseas locations. Contact the College for details.

The oral examination is usually held in Melbourne at College House, although it is sometimes held in other venues in conjunction with events such as conferences.

Is there a timeframe for completing the examinations?

Trainees must make their first attempt at an examination (written or oral) within 2 years of completing clinical training, and must pass both the written and oral examinations within 6 years of completing clinical training.

How many times can I sit the examination?

Trainees may make 4 attempts at an examination, but must pass both the written and oral examinations within 6 years of completing clinical training. Please see the Subspecialties Policies & Procedures manual ( 637KB ) for full regulations.

What format do the examinations take?

The written examination comprises twelve 15-minute short answer questions in a 3-hour examination.

The oral examination involves nine 15-minute stations, with 5 minutes preparation before each station; the pass mark is determined by examiners using a standard-setting process.

Further information can be found in each subspecialty handbook More

What does the Research Project involve?

All trainees must complete a Research Project and submit a paper for assessment.

A draft of the Research Project proposal, including timelines, must be submitted with the first 6-monthly training documentation. A detailed final proposal of the Research Project, with institutional ethics approval, if necessary, must be submitted with training documents at the end of the first 12 months of training.

Progress reports must be submitted at 18 and 24 months.

Your research paper must have been submitted by the end of April in the year you intend to take the exam, and passed at least 2 months BEFORE the second exam.

Further information can be found in each subspecialty handbook More

What if I’ve have a PhD or MMed? Can I get an exemption from any of the clinical training?

There are no exemptions from the clinical training component of the training program.

Completion of a PhD / MMed in an appropriate area will give exemption from the requirement to complete the Research Project, but you’ll still be expected to be involved in active research whilst training.

Further information can be found in each subspecialty handbook More

Can I train in more than one subspecialty?

Yes, but not simultaneously. And you need to be aware of the recertification requirements for both subspecialties if you wish to retain certification in both areas, as the requirements may be mutually exclusive. Further information is available on the CPD section of this site More

I’m an overseas trainee / specialist. Can I register for subspecialty training?

From time to time there are subspecialty trainees in Australia from other countries. It is useful for overseas trainees who have worked in approved Australian training sites for at least one year to be able to take back to their country a recognition of training certificate which indicates that they have completed a period of subspecialty training (as RANZCOG trainees).

For this reason the Council of the RANZCOG introduced RANZCOG Subspecialty Recognition of Training Certificates in each of the five Subspecialty areas.

This certficate is not a recognised qualification in Australia.

Recognition of Training trainees must meet the following criteria:

• that they are not an Australian resident and/or do not hold Australian residency status
• completion of some subspecialty training overseas which can be verified
• the time in an Australian training post must be assessed by Six-monthly Trainee reports and Log Book records

I’m a subspecialist in my own country but want to practise in Australia or New Zealand as a subspecialist. How do I get my qualification recognised?

To be eligible for assessment of your qualifications, you must

• hold, or be assessed as being eligible to hold, Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG)
• hold a recognised subspecialist qualification from a recognised College or national certifying body
• provide certified documentation of the qualifications together with evidence of satisfactory completion of training and other pertinent information

Your training will be compared to that of an Australian or New Zealand trainee, and further requirements determined accordingly. All overseas trained subspecialists will be required to complete at least the written and oral examinations; some may be required to complete further training in particular areas.

Further information about eligibility and assessment for the FRANZCOG and subspecialty status can be found in the Overseas Trained Subspecialists (OTSS) Booklet
( 282KB )

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