LFFLM (SOM)
The Licentiateship of the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine in Sexual Offence Medicine
The LFFLM (SOM) is a four-module exam. It consists of:
- a Part 1 written exam, which has 150 best-of-five multiple-choice questions and is online;
- a COVE (compendium of validated evidence);
- a Portfolio;
- and a Part 2 clinical exam (11 or 14 stations); most stations are online.
For information on fees please visit this page.
If you cannot convert the PDF version of the Regulations to a Word one, you may like to use this Word version instead, where you can find the COVE and Portfolio templates.
Note that in the Part 2 exam candidates have three options: the generic exam (14 stations), one specifically for those who’d like to do the adult-only stations, the LFFLM (SOM) (a), and one specifically for those who’d like to do the child-only stations, the LFFLM (SOM) (c). The (a) and (c) options only have 11 stations.
Further information about each of the modules can be found below, under Regulations, guidelines and syllabus.
All four components must be done in four years, while the Part 1 pass result is still valid, otherwise that module will need to be done again.
Success in it allows the candidate to apply to become a Licentiate of our Faculty and to use of the postnominal LFFLM (SOM).
Essential reading
Please study the material below to know more about your exam and to prepare for it.
Format of the LFFLM
The Faculty is changing the format of the Licentiate (LFFLM) examinations in SOM and GFM. Candidates will no longer submit a Compendium of Validated Evidence, (COVE), or a case portfolio; instead, they will sit a short answer question (SAQ) paper in the Part 2 examination. The Part 1 LFFLM will remain as a single best answer (SBA) paper. The Part 2 LFFLM will still have the OSCEs, along with the SAQ.
As a result of these changes, the Examination regulations are being revised and will be published in good time for the commencement of the 2024/25 examination diet.
Click here to take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions document for current candidates.
When and where is the LFFLM (SOM) offered?
The Part 1 written exam is normally offered once a year, online, in early October (candidates can do it from home).
The Part 2 one is normally offered once a year, in mid-March. Some OSCE stations may be in Central London and some online (candidates can do them from home).
For exact dates please see the main Exams page.
Regulations, guidelines and syllabus
Please read these documents just before you apply for the LFFLM (SOM).
Who should do the LFFLM (SOM)?
The LFFLM (SOM) is for nurses and doctors. For more information please read our regulations and guidelines.
Do you need help?
Should you have any queries about our exams please email our Examinations Manager
Should you be having difficulties to do your COVE and/or Portfolio, due to the current pandemic, please get in touch.
Important notes about written projects
It is the responsibility of the Educational Supervisor to determine that the Clinical Validator is of sufficient experience to act as such. The responsibilities of the Educational Supervisor are explained in the document Role of the Educational Supervisor.
It is possible for the Educational Supervisor to be the Clinical Validator as well in certain circumstances (for more information please read the current regulations).
Clinical Validator
Please read about the role of the Clinical Validator before you start your written projects.