UK histopathology: FRCPath and the pathology shortage
Histopathology — diagnosing disease from tissue and cell samples — sits within a UK pathology workforce that is ageing and stretched, and internationally-qualified doctors enter it through the Royal College of Pathologists’ FRCPath examinations.
Last updated 2026-07-11 · figures are indicative snapshots — confirm current values with the source
How do international doctors enter UK histopathology, and is it in demand?
The route is the FRCPath in histopathology from the Royal College of Pathologists — a written Part 1 followed by a practical Part 2 built around reporting real slide cases. Demand is driven by an ageing workforce: the College’s 2025 census found almost half of UK pathologists aged 50 or over, with locum and outsourcing costs running into tens of millions of pounds a year.
This is free information only, for internationally-qualified doctors who, of their own accord, want to understand the UK registration route. GeraClinic (Gera Services Ltd) is a telemedicine platform, not a recruitment agency: we do not place doctors into UK jobs, we do not actively recruit from countries on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List (which includes Pakistan and Bangladesh), and we never charge you a fee for finding work. You always apply to UK employers yourself, on your own account.
The FRCPath exams
FRCPath is the fellowship examination of the Royal College of Pathologists, taken in two parts across UK histopathology training. It is also a recognised postgraduate qualification for GMC registration purposes.
- FRCPath Part 1: a written exam of multiple-choice and extended-matching questions over 3 hours.
- FRCPath Part 2: a practical exam over two days, including reporting real haematoxylin-and-eosin slide cases.
Source: Royal College of Pathologists — histopathology examinations
Why pathology is in demand
The pathology workforce (which includes histopathology) is ageing and increasingly reliant on locum and outsourced reporting, which is why internationally-qualified pathologists are sought by NHS employers (doctors apply directly).
- The Royal College of Pathologists’ 2025 census (nearly 3,000 respondents) found 47% of UK pathologists aged 50 or over, and around 60% of consultants working beyond their contracted hours.(Royal College of Pathologists — 2025 workforce census)
- Locum and outsourcing costs across the UK pathology workforce were estimated at around £27 million a year.
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Frequently asked questions
What exam do I need to work in UK histopathology?+
The FRCPath from the Royal College of Pathologists — a written Part 1 and a practical Part 2 based on reporting real slide cases. It is central to UK histopathology training and can support GMC registration.
Is histopathology in shortage in the UK?+
The wider pathology workforce that includes histopathology is under real strain: the Royal College of Pathologists’ 2025 census found 47% of pathologists aged 50 or over and heavy reliance on locum and outsourced reporting, estimated at around £27 million a year.
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