New RCEM Eligibility Rules for FRCEM SBA 2025: A Practical Guide for Emergency Medicine Doctors


What Are the New RCEM FRCEM SBA Eligibility Rules and Why Do They Matter in the ED?


From 2025 onwards, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has introduced new eligibility criteria for all MRCEM and FRCEM exams, including the FRCEM SBA.(RCEM)


The aim is to:

  • Simplify the application process
  • Standardise what experience and qualifications you need
  • Introduce a clear “exam currency” (time limit) at each stage of the exam journey(RCEM)


For FRCEM SBA, this matters because:

  • It determines when you’re allowed to book the exam (and when you’re not)
  • It clarifies how long your MRCEM remains valid for FRCEM purposes
  • It sets clear expectations around clinical experience at higher specialty level(RCEM)


For FRCEM SBA candidates, these rules are not just admin: they affect when you can sit, when you should plan to sit, and how you structure your training and CESR journey.


How “Eligibility Rules” Appear in the FRCEM SBA Exam


This topic is mainly about real-world logistics, but similar themes do appear in FRCEM SBA questions under non-clinical SLOs (leadership, governance, professionalism):


Typical question angles:

  • Scope of practice & supervision
    • e.g. “Which of the following actions is appropriate for an ST3 vs ST6?”
  • Training level vs responsibility
    • Who can make a particular decision or sign off a form?
  • Governance & probity
    • Falsifying a logbook, sitting an exam you’re not eligible for, honesty in applications
  • Career planning scenarios
    • Trainee with interrupted training, OOP, parental leave and exam timing



Core Concepts You Must Know About the New FRCEM SBA Eligibility Rules

Definitions & Key Criteria


For FRCEM SBA from 2025 onwards, you need to understand three core ideas:


  1. Base eligibility (who can sit at all)
  2. All FRCEM SBA and FRCEM OSCE candidates must:(RCEM)
    • Hold a PMQ accepted by the GMC
    • Have current full medical registration with a licence to practise
    • Have completed MRCEM (or equivalent)
  3. “Equivalent” here includes candidates who previously obtained the FRCEM Intermediate Certificate (Intermediate SAQ + SJP) within the last 7 years.(RCEM)
  4. Experience requirements (FRCEM-level EM experience)
  5. In addition:(RCEM)
    • If you are a UK trainee: 
      • You must have 12 months FTE EM experience at Higher Specialty Training level or equivalent (e.g. ST4+ or equivalent).
    • If you are a non-trainee (SAS, non-training post, international, etc.): 
      • You must have 4 years FTE EM training, of which at least 1 year must be at higher specialty level.
  6. Exam currency (the new 7-year rule)
  7. RCEM has introduced time limits (“currency”) for its exams:(RCEM)
    • You have 7 years to complete all MRCEM components from the date you first pass MRCEM Primary.
    • After completing MRCEM, you then have 7 years to take and pass your first FRCEM exam (SBA or OSCE).
    • Once you pass your first FRCEM component, you have 7 years to complete FRCEM (i.e. pass the other component).
  8. There are also automatic 24-month extensions for certain candidates who would otherwise be disadvantaged (for example, those who passed MRCEM Primary or MRCEM in the more distant past but hadn’t completed subsequent components).(RCEM)


Assessment & “Checks” – What RCEM Actually Looks At


When you apply, RCEM checks:(RCEM)


  • Your PMQ and registration status (including internship/house jobs)
  • That you have completed MRCEM (or equivalent) and when
  • Your Emergency Medicine experience (months/years in EM, level of posts)
  • That you meet eligibility at the point of application, not on the date of the exam itself


Applications are made online during defined windows; your eligibility is checked after the window closes, and you’ll receive confirmation within around 4 weeks.(RCEM)


“Initial Management” – Planning Your Exam Route


Think of this as managing a complex patient – just with a career instead of a person:

  • Check your “baseline”:
    • Do you already hold MRCEM? When did you complete it?
    • What is your total FTE EM experience, and at what level?
  • Apply the “eligibility criteria”:
    • Are you within 7 years of your MRCEM completion?
    • Do you meet the 12-month HST EM requirement (UK trainees) or 4-year EM requirement (non-trainees)?(RCEM)
  • Choose exam order strategically:
    • You can sit FRCEM SBA and OSCE in any order, as long as you meet eligibility for each.(RCEM)
    • Many candidates sit SBA first, but if your clinical performance is stronger than your exam technique, you may prioritise OSCE.
  • Match to the exam calendar:
    • In 2025, the FRCEM SBA runs once a year (e.g. 30 September 2025 with applications early July).(RCEM)


Red Flags and Pitfalls


Key “red flags” in the new rules:


  • Assuming eligibility is checked at exam date
    • New rule: you must meet criteria at the point of application, not on exam day.(RCEM)
  • Ignoring exam currency (7-year rule)
    • Letting 7 years elapse after MRCEM before attempting any FRCEM exam can restrict your options, even with extensions.(RCEM)
  • Miscounting EM experience
    • RCEM looks for FTE EM time and at the appropriate level (HST or higher-level equivalent). “Lots of locums” is not automatically the same as 4 years FTE EM.(RCEM)
  • Relying on old rules or hearsay
    • Pre-2025 eligibility advice from colleagues may be outdated. RCEM explicitly notes that new eligibility criteria apply from 2025 onwards.(RCEM)


Special Populations


  • UK trainees (NTN holders)
    • Usually meet the MRCEM + HST EM requirement in a predictable way, but need to be careful about currency if progressing slowly or taking time out.
  • SAS / LED / non-training doctors
    • Must show 4 years FTE EM, with 1 year at higher specialty level. This can be trickier to evidence; job titles and references matter.(RCEM)
  • International graduates
    • PMQ must be GMC-acceptable and registration must be full with licence to practise. The exam itself can be sat in test centres worldwide via Surpass Assessment, but eligibility criteria remain the same.(RCEM)
  • Those with time out of training (parental leave, long-term sickness)
    • You can request discretionary extensions to exam currency by emailing the Exams team before your 7-year window expires.(RCEM)


How StudyMedical Covers FRCEM SBA Eligibility & Non-Clinical Topics in Its Question Bank


While StudyMedical can’t change RCEM’s rules (sadly), it can help you navigate them intelligently.


Within the StudyMedical FRCEM SBA bank, you can highlight:


  • Curriculum-mapped non-clinical SBAs covering: 
    • Leadership and management
    • Governance and complaints
    • Research, QI and exam-style statistics
    • Training pathways, supervision, and realistic exam-planning scenarios
  • Questions tagged to the relevant SLOs so you can focus on SLO7, SLO8, SLO10, SLO11, SLO12, where these topics live in the 2021 curriculum.
  • Detailed explanations that don’t just give the right answer, but explicitly reference the latest RCEM guidance where relevant (e.g. exam eligibility or currency).
  • Modes that let you: 
    • Drill new questions in non-clinical domains
    • Revisit incorrect or flagged non-clinical SBAs until they stick
    • Mix non-clinical questions into full exam simulations so they feel normal, not bolt-on.

FAQs About the New FRCEM SBA Eligibility Rules (2025 Onwards)


1. What exactly changed for 2025?


RCEM introduced new eligibility criteria and exam currency rules for all MRCEM and FRCEM exams from 2025 onwards: simplified criteria per exam, a 7-year time limit to complete MRCEM, and 7-year windows relating to FRCEM exams, plus automatic 24-month extensions for some existing candidates.(RCEM)


2. Who can sit the FRCEM SBA in 2025?


You can sit the FRCEM SBA if you:(RCEM)


  • Hold a GMC-acceptable PMQ
  • Have full GMC registration with licence to practise
  • Have completed MRCEM or equivalent (including a recent FRCEM Intermediate Certificate)
  • Meet the relevant EM experience criteria (12 months HST EM for UK trainees, or 4 years FTE EM with at least 1 year at higher specialty level for non-trainees)
  • Are within the 7-year currency window relating to your MRCEM / FRCEM journey


3. I completed MRCEM more than 7 years ago – am I now excluded?


RCEM states that no candidates should be negatively affected by the new currency rules. Those who exceeded 7 years between stages have been granted automatic 24-month extensions to complete missing components, and further extensions can be considered case-by-case (e.g. parental leave, long-term illness).(RCEM)


You still need to check your specific situation with RCEM if in doubt.


4. Do I need to be a UK trainee with an NTN to sit FRCEM SBA?


No. Eligibility is based on qualifications, registration, and EM experience, not on holding an NTN. Non-trainees (SAS, international doctors, etc.) can sit FRCEM SBA if they meet the 4-year FTE EM + 1 year higher-level requirement and currency rules.(RCEM)


5. Does the “7-year clock” reset when I pass FRCEM SBA?


Yes, in a specific way: after completing MRCEM, you have 7 years to pass your first FRCEM component (SBA or OSCE). Once you pass that first FRCEM exam, you then have another 7 years to complete the remaining FRCEM component(s).(RCEM)


6. Where should I check for the most up-to-date rules?


Always go back to:

  • The RCEM Exam Eligibility and Adjustments page(RCEM)
  • The FRCEM Exams page (especially the FAQ “Who can sit the exam?”)(RCEM)
  • The Apply for an Exam page for fees, application windows, and practicalities(RCEM)


Blog posts (including this one!) should help you interpret the rules, but RCEM webpages are the definitive source.


Key Takeaways: FRCEM SBA Eligibility 2025 in 5 Bullet Points


  1. New rules from 2025: RCEM has updated eligibility criteria and introduced exam currency across MRCEM and FRCEM.(RCEM)
  2. Who can sit: You need a GMC-acceptable PMQ, full registration, completed MRCEM or equivalent, and specific levels of EM experience.(RCEM)
  3. 7-year windows: 7 years to complete MRCEM, 7 years from MRCEM to first FRCEM exam, and 7 years from first FRCEM pass to complete fellowship, with extensions for some candidates.(RCEM)
  4. Eligibility at application: You must meet all criteria when you apply, not by the exam date, so timing your application matters.(RCEM)
  5. Plan strategically: Use the exam calendar, eligibility page, and a blueprint-aligned question bank to map your exam journey rather than leaving it to chance.(RCEM)