Established 1973

In 1973 The Court of the Society instituted an examination leading to the award of a Diploma in Venereology. This Diploma, now known as the Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine, covers sexually transmitted infections and related conditions and is open to registered medical practitioners who have worked in a Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Venereology or Sexual Health, or who have other relevant experience.

The examination is standard set at the level of a (competent) Year 2 SpR/ST4 in Genitourinary Medicine (Sexual Health and HIV).  Those applicants who are not at that level may lack some of the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pass the examination.  Experience should be current so that candidates are fully aware of any recent developments.

The examination is based on the Specialty Training Curriculum for Genitourinary Medicine which was implemented on 1 December 2016.

In summary, the changes are:

- Reorganisation of the HIV content.
- New section on sexual dysfunction.
- Revisions to some competencies to ensure that doctors in training are able to  respond to the needs of transgender/non-binary individuals.
- Addition of MCR tool.
- General updates in relation to Good Medical Practice and Equality and Diversity.
- Enhancing the content in relation to Female Genital Mutilation.
- Addition of QIPAT.

The curriculum and supporting documents including the "ARCP Decision Aid" are available on the JRCPTB web site at

www.jrcptb.org.uk/specialties/genitourinary-medicine

A modular course run by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) provides useful revision.

*UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2022*

The examination can be taken by registered nurses / midwives, who must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of the United Kingdom and have held a qualification for at least three years to practise nursing or midwifery. The content of the examination is blueprinted to the requirements of the current Speciality Training Curriculum for Genitourinary Medicine.  The standard of the exam is set at the level of a competent Year 2 Specialist Registrar/ST4 doctor in genitourinary medicine, which is the level candidates need to be practising at clinically regardless of their professional registration.

Candidates must produce satisfactory evidence that, after qualification they have at the time of application:

1. Have successfully completed a master’s level award (postgraduate diploma or master’s degree) in advanced clinical practice or related subject or be recognised as an advanced clinical practitioner by the Centre for Advancing Practice or be credentialed by the Royal College of Nursing as an Advanced Level Nursing Practitioner;

and

1. A non-medical prescribing qualification, which is recorded with the nursing and midwifery council;

and

1. Have successfully completed a module or course in health assessment / advanced clinical assessment;

and

1. Completed at least three years current full-time experience, or the part-time equivalent, at a Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Sexual Health, or venereology working at an advanced practice level (equivalent to ST4 in 2016 curriculum or ST5 under the 2022 curriculum).

It is highly recommended that nurse/midwife candidates undertake the BASHH theory course modules 1 to 4 in preparation for the examination.

This will need to be verified by the candidates line manager