The DRCOG and the MRCOG are both awarded by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. They are not the same exam, not the same level, and not for the same audience.
DRCOG (Diploma)
Purpose: Recognises a GP's interest and competence in women's health. It is a generalist qualification testing the women's health knowledge a competent GP needs.
Level: GP/primary care level. The standard is that of a competent GP managing women's health presentations — not a specialist obstetrician or gynaecologist.
Format: 120 SBAs, 3 hours, single paper, computer-based at Pearson VUE. No clinical/OSCE component.
Eligibility: Any GMC-registered doctor. No specific O&G training requirement (though O&G placement experience is strongly recommended).
Career path: GPs, GP trainees, doctors in non-specialist women's health roles, doctors in private women's health clinics, doctors wanting to demonstrate women's health competence.
Cost: Approximately £476 per attempt.
MRCOG (Membership — Parts 1, 2, and 3)
Purpose: The mandatory progression exam for specialty trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology. Required for career advancement within O&G specialist training.
Level: Specialist level. Part 1 tests basic and clinical science. Part 2 tests applied clinical knowledge. Part 3 tests clinical skills through an OSCE.
Format: Three separate exams taken over several years of training. Part 1 (basic science MCQ), Part 2 (clinical SBA/EMQ), Part 3 (OSCE — clinical skills assessment).
Eligibility: Part 1 can be attempted before entering training. Parts 2 and 3 require O&G training progression.
Career path: O&G specialty trainees progressing toward consultant status. Required for ST5 to ST6 progression.
Cost: Significantly higher total (multiple exam fees across Parts 1-3).
Which Do You Need?
If you are a GP or GP trainee: DRCOG. It covers the women's health knowledge relevant to primary care at an appropriate level.
If you are an O&G specialty trainee: MRCOG. It is mandatory for career progression.
If you are unsure about your career path: Start with the DRCOG. If you later enter O&G training, the women's health knowledge transfers — though you will still need to sit MRCOG.
The iatroX DRCOG Q-Bank provides 600+ curriculum-mapped questions for DRCOG preparation. For clinicians who also hold or are pursuing other qualifications, a single iatroX Boards subscription provides access to multiple Q-banks.