Changes to the Part 2 Licentiate Exams
Important Information for Candidates
From 2024 the Compendium of Validated Evidence (COVE) and Case Portfolio will no longer form part of the Part 2 LFFLM GFM and SOM examinations, instead, candidates will sit a short answer question (SAQ) paper and OSCEs.
Please refer to the guidance below on the new Licentiate (LFFLM) in General Forensic Medicine (GFM) and Sexual Offence Medicine (SOM) examination route.
Candidates who sat their Part 1 LFFLM GFM or SOM examinations in October 2024, who wish to sit their Part 2 LFFLM GFM or SOM in 2025, and onwards, will no longer have the option to submit a COVE and Portfolio as part of their examination. Instead, all Part 2 LFFLM GFM and SOM candidates will sit a Short Answer Question examination and OSCEs.
Candidates who sat their Part 1 LFFLM GFM and SOM examinations in 2021, 2022 and 2023, can still opt to submit a COVE and Portfolio as part of their Part 2 examination, providing they apply to sit their Part 2 examination within 4 years of sitting the Part 1 examination. Therefore, COVEs and Portfolios will be accepted until 2027.
Please refer to the timelines provided below:
• Part 1 Candidates who sat their exam in 2021, will need to submit their Portfolio before October 2025.
• Part 1 Candidates who sat their exam in 2022, will need to submit their Portfolio before October 2026.
• Part 1 Candidates who sat their exam in 2023, will need to submit their Portfolio before October 2027.
Candidates who sat their Part 1 LFFLM (GFM or SOM) examinations in 2021, 2022 and 2023 can opt to sit the SAQs and OSCEs instead of submitting a Portfolio. Please refer to the Fees and Diary page for details on examination costs. Please note candidates who opt to sit the SAQs and OSCEs, instead of submitting a Portfolio, will be required to sit this examination within 4 years of completing their Part 1 LFFLM GFM or SOM examination.
• Part 1 Candidates who sat their exam in 2021, will need to sit the SAQs in March 2025.
• Part 1 Candidates who sat their exam in 2022, will need to sit the SAQs in, or before, March 2026.
• Part 1 Candidates who sat their exam in 2023, will need to sit the SAQs in, or before, March 2027.
No changes have been made to the format of the Part 1 LFFLM examinations.
Candidates who sat their Part 1 LFFLM GFM or SOM examinations in October 2024 and who apply to sit their Part 2 LFFLM GFM or SOM in March 2025 will sit the SAQ paper and OSCEs as the COVE and Portfolio route is now closed to new Part 2 LFFLM candidates.
For Candidates Wishing to Submit a Portfolio
Information on the format of Portfolios can be found within previous versions of the LFFLM GFM and SOM Regulations. Please follow the links below to access these documents.
LFFLM GFM Regulations, Syllabus and Information for Candidates
LFFLM SOM Regulations, Syllabus and Information for Candidates
