You must complete this application if you are sitting the Part 1 or Refraction Certificate examinations for the first time (this does not include the Duke Elder examination).
If you have previously sat the Part 1 or Refraction certificate examinations DO NOT complete this application.
If you have previously sat either the Part 1 or Refraction Certificate exam, please use the following link to book onto your next exam: https://ihub.rcophth.ac.uk/RCO/Home/RCO/
This application process has 2 steps:
Step 1. Complete and submit the online application form, with all required supporting documents.
Step 2. We will review your application. If it is approved, you will receive an automated payment link by email. This payment link is sent at least 24 hours after approval, not 24 hours after submission.
Deadlines
You must check the relevant exam closing date before applying. You can view all exam dates and closing dates on the examinations calendar: https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/examinations/examinations-calendar/
For first time applicants, the deadline to submit the application form and all supporting documents is 23.59 on the Wednesday before the exam closing date.
Payments must be completed by 17.00 on the Friday closing date.
We strongly recommend that you apply at least 3 weeks before the deadline, as applications can take up to 3 weeks to approve. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your application in good time, as late applications may not allow enough time for your documents to be checked, approved, and paid before the closing date.
If your supporting documents do not meet the requirements below, we may reject your application.
All reasonable adjustment requests must be submitted in this application form.
Candidate application requirements:
GMC or IMC numbers
If you hold a General Medical Council (GMC) or Irish Medical Council (IMC) number, you do not need to submit your medical degree certificate. You must enter your GMC or IMC number in the application form. Your number must appear on the GMC/IMC register.
We DO NOT accept other medical council numbers.
Medical degree certificates
Please note: The College reserves the right to seek verification of a candidate’s medical degree from the issuing institution. The College will conduct audits to verify qualification and registration evidence submitted as part of a candidate’s examination application. Your medical school must be listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools as part of our verification of your medical certificate.
The name on your certificate must match the name on your application form. This cannot be changed later. We do not accept transcripts or any other documents in place of a medical degree certificate.
All medical degree certificates, UK and international, must be recently attested by one of the following:
- A current Fellow of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (paying member)
- The university that issued the certificate, Dean or Student Registry ONLY.
- A solicitor, advocate, or notary public
Certificates in English
Please provide these 2 documents only.
- A copy of your original medical degree certificate.
- A letter from the same attester
Both documents must be attested after the application opening date.
One of the attesters listed above must check both documents.
Both documents must be:
- Handwritten signed
- Dated
- Stamped
If either document is missing a signature, date, or stamp, we will not accept it.
Certificates not in English
Please provide these 3 documents only.
- Photocopy of your original medical degree certificate
- Translated copy of your original certificate
- Letter from attester
All three documents must be attested after the application opening date. The translation company must first sign and date (in pen), and stamp the translated certificate.
After that, one of the attesters listed above must check all three documents.
All three documents must then be:
- Handwritten signed
- Dated
- Stamped
If documents are missing a signature, date, or stamp, we will not accept it.