This is a resource of commonly asked questions and used documents for basic and higher specialist trainees in Psychiatry in Ireland.
Last updated: 2026-08-21
| Curriculum and Regulations | Most up to date version of the training curriculum and regulations can be found here. |
|---|---|
| E-portfolio | The e-portfolio of your continuous assessment and relevant FAQs, deadlines |
| Moodle | The moodle page for the College which hosts details of masterclasses, training posts |
| BST posts moodle page | The specific page with details of educational approval forms for all BST posts |
| HST posts moodle page | The specific page with details of educational approval forms for all HST posts |
| Trainee Newsletter (Moodle) | Previous issues of the Trainee Committee newsletter, events and updates from the Trainee Committee |
| IMO guidance | Information from our union on TSS entitlements, rostering etc as per the last update to the NCHD agreement |
| Feedback on this page | Please use the link left if you have a question not addressed, a comment or a correction to any information |
For further information on the questions below, refer to the Regulations for Basic and Higher Specialist Training in Psychiatry, currently in its 14th Revision (July 2026).
What exams do I need to complete during training, and in what order?
CPsychI training involves two main exam components: the MRCPsych Written Papers (Papers A and B) and the CPsychI Clinical Membership Exam, which includes OSCEs and the CFME. The written papers must be completed prior to undertaking the clinical, and all exams must be passed to progress to HST. Further detail can be found in the College regulations.
What exams do I need to complete to be eligible for HST?
The CPsychI qualification must be obtained before a trainee is deemed eligible for HST — this consists of Paper A and Paper B of the MRCPsych, and the CPsychI BST Clinical Exam (OSCE and CFME). The MRCPsych CASC is not mandatory for progression to HST. Whilst other membership exams are desirable, they are not mandatory.
When are the exams held?
The MRCPsych Written Papers are usually held three times a year, in spring, summer and autumn, and can be sat in an exam centre or remotely online on request to the RCPsych. Exact dates can be found on the RCPsych website. The clinical examination is held twice a year in Spring and Autumn, usually in Dublin (Croke Park for the CFME and RCSI 26 York St for the OSCEs); exact dates can be found on the CPsychI website.
What are the entitlements for study leave for exams?
Per the NCHD contract you are entitled to 18 days per 6 months but this is at the discretion of your clinical site. However, per the IMO on the 2023 NCHD agreement: "For Gateway/Mandatory exams – NCHDs are entitled to 24 hours of exam + 1 week within 2 weeks of exam (or within 3 weeks in exceptional circumstances). This is subject to applying for the leave within 6 weeks."
Where can I find past papers and study resources?
The Royal College of Psychiatrists provides a syllabus and relevant details for the written exams on their website and these should be your first reference. Question banks often used by trainees include SPMM and MRCPsychmentor; these have costs but can be claimed back from your training funds. There is an overview of the Clinical exam structure on the College moodle. Many trainees use books written for the UK exam which are somewhat applicable, and there is a college exam preparation group run by the college president which many trainees have found useful. The best way to prepare for the clinical examination is by practice — ask around on your clinical site to find colleagues to prepare with.