How to become a CASC examiner in our overseas diets

To be eligible to become an Examiner for the MRCPsych CASC, a doctor must have held a substantive Consultant or equivalent post in any psychiatric speciality for normally at least one year and must have at least seven years’ postgraduate experience in psychiatry.

It is essential, that applicants are currently involved in the formal teaching of medical students and/or psychiatric trainees. Experience of writing examination questions or examining at OSCE-type examinations is particularly welcome, either at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. 

The following criteria also apply to the eligibility for appointment as an MRCPsych CASC Examiner:

• Must have a full registration and in good standing with their country’s medical regulator.
• Must be a current member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, having passed the MRCPsych examination.
• Must be registered, and be in good standing for CPD.
• Must be a practising psychiatrist.
• Must not be involved in any commercial courses or have any conflicts of interest as advised by the College’s Statement of Conflict of Interests.

The following requirements apply to those appointed as examiners:

• Must abide by the Examiners Code of Conduct.
• Must attend a one-day training and assessment course for CASC examining.
• Must rate training videos at induction to a satisfactory standard.
• Must shadow an examiner for one day at the CASC before examining candidates.
• Must be able to attend one session of Examiner Refresher Training every two years, which includes Equality and Diversity training.
• Should be prepared to participate in examining the Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (CASCs) at least two days per year. Adequate prior notice of CASC dates will be given.
• Should be able to commit to serving as a member of the Board of Examiners for a period of seven years.
• Must agree not to disclose any information that one may obtain about the examination by virtue of one’s position as a Member of the Board of Examiners to anyone external to the Board.
• Must be engaged in medical appraisal and be revalidated.
• Must agree to stand down from the Board if, during one’s period of appointment, circumstances change making one unable to meet any one of the eligibility criteria:
• Examiners who leave a substantive post and take up a locum position must demonstrate continued involvement in training or medical education, in order to remain on the Board.
• Must agree to inform the Chief Examiner of any circumstances, such as ill health or license to practice suspension/conditions, which could affect one’s ability to be an examiner or call into question the good standing of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and its examining procedure.