FAQs | MRCPUK

MRCP(UK) examinations
If you are employed on a UK training contract as either a Core or Specialty Trainee you may be eligible for tax relief on MRCP(UK) and SCE examination fees paid within the last four tax years, providing you paid the examination fee yourself. A number of UK trainees have informed us that they have successfully claimed tax relief. For more information please see the Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) website.
Further information on how to apply for tax relief:
Guidance on how to claim relief for fees can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Background information on claiming expenses where education is part of the duties of the employment can be found on the HMRC website.
To claim tax relief, trainees have told us that you can either:

• complete a form P87: Tax relief for expenses of employment, available to download from the HMRC website;
• complete a self-assessment tax return and include details on the employment page (if you are already in self-assessment or the expenses amount to more than £2,500);
• write a letter to HMRC stating that:
  • you are employed under a training contract (provide a letter from your Deanery/ LETB or your employment contract to support this);
  • you took (specify) mandatory examination/s run by MRCP(UK) to meet the requirements of your training programme and believe that the cost of the examination/s is now tax deductible;
  • reference the case of Revenue & Customs Commissioners v Dr Piu Banerjee ([2010] EWCA Civ 843); and HMRC guidance EIM32546 which states that: ‘Failure to…obtain the qualification will mean that he cannot proceed to the next stage of his chosen profession’.

HMRC will require proof of payment for examination fees paid (eg credit card or bank statement).
Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) enrolment fees
HMRC agreed that with effect from 10 May 2013 mandatory trainee registration fees are tax deductible. Tax relief can therefore be claimed on all enrolment fees paid to JRCPTB on or after this date.  JRCPTB enrolment fees paid before this date are not eligible for tax relief.
The JRCPTB does not provide receipts for the payment of enrolment fees. Trainees should receive confirmation of payment when they complete their enrolment online. This should be sufficient confirmation (receipt) that you have paid your training fees or you can use the PayPal confirmation authorisation codes as a means of evidence of your payment.
Please note that MRCP(UK) and JRCPTB are unable to provide advice about your personal tax affairs. If you believe you are eligible to claim, please seek advice from your own personal tax adviser.

I was granted an exemption prior to 2010, what does this mean for my 7-year eligibility period?

Any candidate who was granted an exemption from Part 1 prior to 2010 may continue to attempt Part 2 Written and PACES (in any order) until they complete the MRCP(UK) Diploma or their period of eligibility to sit the examinations expires. (A candidate’s 7-year eligibility period starts from the date the exempting qualification was awarded).