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Pathology covers Chemical Pathology, so this is the parent specialty entry.
RCPA
When Chemical Pathology applications run, and what the round looks like.
Eligibility requires current general (AHPRA) medical registration and at least two years of clinical experience after the primary medical degree — so typically PGY3+ at commencement. In exceptional circumstances, applicants without two years may be considered if they can show alternative relevant experience of a similar level; Overseas Trained Specialists assessed by the College as requiring no more than two years of additional assessment/training may also apply.
Training positions and workforce figures below are limited to Northern Territory. Selection criteria, requirements and application dates are set by RCPA nationally and apply in every state.
Moderate
How Chemical Pathology training is structured.
5 years, or 4 on the joint route
Competencies
To complete
Basic Pathological Sciences examination
Open to medical, science and dental students, interns and resident medical officers as well as registered trainees, and cheaper as a student. A pass or an exemption is required of everyone. Not a prerequisite for Part I, but required before sitting any component of Part II.
Before training starts, or early in it
Chemical Pathology Part I
Written, and sat online from home or a venue of your choice. There is no slide or practical paper to travel for.
After a set period of accredited training
Chemical Pathology Part II
Written, and sat online the same way.
Ordinarily the final year
1 year retrospectively accredited
A joint program of the two colleges, overseen by the Committee for Joint College Training. Completing RACP Basic Physician Training is credited back as one of the five pathology years. Clinical and laboratory training cannot both sit inside one institution, and the part-time floor is 16 hours a week rather than 8. From 2026 the supervisor reports are separate, clinical through the RACP and laboratory through risr/advance, and a paper form is not accepted.
One set of categories across every specialty, so two can be compared. Only those with criteria recorded for this specialty are shown.
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
Who is asked to report on you, and what they are asked
Registration mechanics and logistics not covered above
Timed steps, grouped by when each one is worth doing.
Before applying
First year of training
During training
Queensland Health is the only state department publishing these figures so far.
No published figures exist yet for Northern Territory. This is being worked on. The selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
No Chemical Pathology training positions recorded in Northern Territory. See all 22 across Australia.
Published by RCPA and the Medical Board unless stated.
Connected to this specialty by the Medical Board’s specialty structure, by college, or by a shared training pathway.
Requirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with RCPA before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.