Portfolio Pathway: Changes to CESR name and evaluation
Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) is considered an alternative pathway to enter the GMC’s specialist register and to practice as a substantive consultant in the UK. Doctors who can demonstrate similar knowledge and competencies equivalent to trainees who complete their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) will become successful in entering the specialist register.
Since the CESR application is assessed entirely on the documentary evidence submitted, often candidates feel this is a laborious process. You are expected to show the competencies at a level of final year CCT-trainee at the time of completion of training based on the local curriculum. Therefore, sound knowledge and understanding of the CCT curriculum on your specialty is essential while preparing for your CESR application.
Information on specialty-specific guidance could be found below.
New Curriculum
From August 2023, all the CESR applications will be assessed based on the new curriculum which was introduced in August 2021. The main change is that the new curriculum requires demonstration of competencies on general surgical capabilities in practice (CiPs) and general profession capabilities (GPCs) at a consultant level. The candidates will be assessed on competency rather than the number of procedures which was the case in the old curriculum. A new concept of the multi-consultant report (MCR) also has been introduced in the new curriculum. These competencies must be demonstrated by providing evidence via workplace-based assessments (WBA). You should be familiar with generic requirements across all surgical specialities as well as speciality-specific requirements while preparing to submit your application.
- You may find information about the new curriculum in this webinar conducted by Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST)
- Information on the new curriculum can also be found here.
- Further information on CESR and MCR could be found on the JCST website.
- GMC approved postgraduate curricula could be accessed here.
ISCP Portfolio
Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) portfolio is a useful tool to record and validate WBA evaluation and assessment. Although it is not mandatory to maintain an ISCP account to apply for CESR, trainees often find it convenient to do the assessment through this. You must pay an annual fee to access the ISCP.
Further details could be found on the ISCP website.
You also must maintain a record of the surgeries you perform on e-logbook. You can register for the e-logbook for free here.
FRCS Exam
Passing the FRCS exam is a key step in the process of your CESR application as this is the easiest way to demonstrate your knowledge component of the CCT curriculum. It is highly recommended that you take the FRCS exam conducted by the Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examination (JCIE) if you are aiming to apply for CESR. The Joint Surgical Colleges Fellowship Examination (JSCFE) FRCS exam is not equivalent to the JCIE examination and is neither regulated nor recognized by GMC as the test of knowledge of UK surgical curriculum. Further details on this can be found on the following JCIE and JSCFE websites:
From October 2023, FRCS entry requirements have been updated. These changes include:
- The applicant must have passed the MRCS examination.
- A minimum of 1-year surgical practice must have been within the UK or Ireland.
- During the time spent in the UK or Ireland, the applicant must have been signed up to ISCP.
- The Trust or Health Board’s Director of Medical Education or nominated Deputy must countersign the Principal Referee form.
For further support on CESR and specialty-specific information, you may approach your Surgical Royal Colleges and the Speciality Specific Association (SSA).