If you are applying for the oral exam and MCQ, it is advisable to apply for the oral examination first, as spaces may be limited.

Once your oral examination place has been confirmed by email, you may then apply for the MCQ.

The application requires the relevant supporting documentation, including:

• Your GMC/primary medical qualification
• Your DOccMed preparation course certificate
• Your completed portfolio

Always check the latest FOM application requirements before submitting your application.

No.

Once your portfolio has been submitted through the FOM online application system, amendments or updates are not permitted.

Proofread your portfolio carefully and make sure you are happy with the content, word count, references and anonymisation before submission.

No.

You must submit your completed portfolio at the time of paying. Otherwise, you will not be able to book this part of the examination.

Candidates should check the current FOM application guidance for the current file size limits and accepted document format, as these technical requirements may change.

Before submitting, make sure your portfolio meets the current requirements specified within the online application system.

Two examiners assess your portfolio and conduct a 20-minute oral examination using Microsoft Teams.

The oral examination explores your:

• Understanding of your portfolio
• Occupational medicine knowledge
• Clinical reasoning
• Application of occupational medicine principles
• Ability to explain and defend your decisions

You should therefore know your portfolio thoroughly rather than simply memorising what you have written.

The oral examination is conducted online using Microsoft Teams (MS Teams).

Candidates should ensure that they have tested their computer, camera, microphone and internet connection well before the examination.

The examination lasts 20 minutes, unless additional time has been approved as a reasonable adjustment.

The examination time starts after the security and environment checks have been completed.

Candidates must:

• Pass the oral examination
• Achieve an aggregate score of 50% or more across the portfolio and oral examination combined

You must submit a new portfolio when reapplying.

You may use the same workplace or patient, but simply resubmitting the original work is unlikely to lead to a different outcome.

Use a failed attempt as an opportunity to identify where your previous portfolio or oral performance could be improved.

Candidates receive an official confirmation letter from the FOM shortly after the application deadline, including the examination date and time.

An MS Teams joining link is normally sent at least two weeks before the examination.

If you have not received your Teams link at least two weeks before the examination, you should contact the FOM examinations team at exams@fom.ac.uk.

You should:

• Download and install Microsoft Teams
• Ensure your camera works correctly
• Ensure your microphone works correctly
• Test your equipment in advance
• Have a reliable internet connection
• Know how to access your device settings if permissions need adjusting

FOM recommends not using a mobile phone as your primary examination device.

A laptop or desktop computer is preferred.

Yes.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to conduct a test call through MS Teams before the examination.

Ideally, arrange a practice Teams meeting with another person so you can check:

• Camera positioning
• Microphone quality
• Speaker volume
• Internet connection
• Device permissions

You must have either:

• A valid passport, or
• A valid driving licence

These are the accepted forms of identification.

Candidates should join the Teams meeting 15 minutes before their scheduled start time.

You should be prepared to wait in the Teams lobby until you are admitted.

The invigilator will:

• Check your identification
• Conduct an environment check
• Ask you to show your examination room using your webcam
• Read the examination instructions before the oral examination begins

You will be asked to rotate your webcam or laptop 360 degrees to demonstrate that your examination environment is secure and free from prohibited materials and devices.

Make sure your room is prepared before joining the examination.

No.

Books, notes, written materials and other reference resources are prohibited during the examination.

Prohibited items include:

• Books and notes
• Written materials
• Recording devices
• Smart watches and other smart devices
• Second monitors
• Virtual or blurred backgrounds on Teams

A mobile phone may be used during the initial environment check.

Afterward, you must show that it has been switched off and place it out of reach.

No.

Background effects are not permitted because the invigilator must be able to see your surroundings clearly during the room check.

Yes.

If you wish to refer to your portfolio, you may ask the invigilator to share an electronic copy on screen.

However, no additional examination time will be provided for this.

You should know your portfolio well enough to discuss it confidently without needing to rely heavily on the document during the examination.

Yes.

All oral examinations are recorded.

Recordings are normally deleted after 60 days, or after any appeal process has concluded.

You should immediately ask for the question or comment to be repeated.

The invigilator records any sound quality issues that occur during the examination.

Examiners may award up to two additional minutes if they believe significant sound quality problems adversely affected your performance.

Where possible, the individual will reconnect.

Any lost time will be added to the end of the examination.

Candidates will not be penalised for technical problems affecting examiners or invigilators.

You should reconnect as quickly as possible.

If the issue is resolved within five minutes, the examination can continue and lost time will be added on.

If reconnection is not possible within five minutes, or if repeated connection failures occur, the examination will be declared void and no refund will be issued.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring their equipment is working properly and that they have a reliable internet connection before the examination.

Yes.

FOM recommends having a second charged device available in a separate room in case technical difficulties occur with your primary device.

Candidates should contact the FOM examinations team using the emergency telephone numbers provided in the examination information.

Keep these contact details readily available before the examination begins.

No.

Candidates must not make or refer to notes during the examination.

No.

The use of any recording device by a candidate is prohibited.

FOM conducts conflict-of-interest checks in advance to ensure examiners do not examine candidates with whom they have a prior relationship.

Examples include:

• Using notes or written materials
• Making notes during the examination
• Using recording devices
• Using a mobile phone after the environment check
• Breaching examination conditions in any other way

Candidates should read and understand the current examination rules before the day of the examination.

Good preparation involves both technical preparation and portfolio preparation.

FOM recommends:

• Testing your equipment and internet connection in advance
• Installing and becoming familiar with MS Teams
• Having your identification ready
• Ensuring you have a quiet room free from interruptions
• Keeping a backup device available
• Reviewing your portfolio thoroughly
• Being prepared to discuss and defend the contents of your portfolio confidently

Don't just memorise your portfolio. Make sure you understand the clinical and occupational medicine reasoning behind every important decision you made.