HST Application Cycle Opens 1st October 2026 and Closes 29th October 2026

General Entry Requirements for HST

• You must have completed Basic Specialist Training in the relevant specialty (or an equivalent programme) by the start date for HST. Please note that not all BST programmes offer consideration of equivalence. Download guidelines on BST programme equivalence (PDF, 133KB) 
• You must have achieved a relevant postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI in General Medicine, General Paediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Please note: HST candidates must have successfully passed the MRCPI Clinical Examination relevant to their speciality before their HST interview date. There are no exceptions to this requirement regarding passing the clinical examination.
• NOTE: Some specialities and sub-specialties have additional entry criteria specific to specialty. These are listed in the Shortlisting and Interview Criteria below.
• You must submit documentation that clearly demonstrates your eligibility for registration with the Irish Medical Council (IMC).
  The specific documents needed will vary depending on individual circumstances.
  Please refer to the section below for detailed guidance.
• You must have proof of competency in the English language in line with HSE specifications (PDF, 506KB).
• You must be eligible to work in Ireland at the time of application. Proof of eligibility must be provided during the application process. Documents submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted. Applicants must retain the right to work in Ireland throughout their training.
• You must have demonstrated an aptitude for, and an interest in that specialty.
• NOTE: Some specialities and sub-specialties have additional entry criteria specific to specialty. These are listed in the Shortlisting and Interview Criteria below.

Under current legislation, candidates are divided into two groups for the purpose of ranking and allocation.

Group 1 includes: Irish, UK, EU nationals, and holders of Stamp 4 or Stamp 4 EUFAM.
These candidates must be treated equally in the ranking and allocation process, as required by EU law.

Group 2 includes: holders of Stamp 1G and Stamp 1H (typically associated with medical posts or education provisions).
Offers may only be made to candidates in Group 2 once the pool of qualified candidates in Group 1 has been fully considered and exhausted, based on ranking. Read more about the Allocation of Places on Specialist Training Programmes (PDF, 623KB)

***PLEASE NOTE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR APPLICATION. LATE DOCUMENT SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED***

• Proof of English language competency
• Passport identity page 
• Visa (if applicable): Copy of either Stamp 4, Stamp 4 EUFAM, Stamp 1G, or Stamp 1H. Documentation must be submitted at the time of application. Changes in immigration status after submission will not be considered. Only documents submitted with the application will be reviewed.
• Certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST)* or equivalent programme
• Evidence of postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI
• At the point of application, you must submit your IMC certificate proving you are registered in one of the divisions of the IMC or Applicants are required to submit documentation that clearly demonstrates their eligibility for registration with the Irish Medical Council (IMC).
  The specific documents needed will vary depending on individual circumstances.
  Please refer to the section below for detailed guidance.
• Speciality Specific Structured Application form (copy to be downloaded from website) to provide a brief overview of your career and motivations to use in preparation for your interview. 

Without the appropriate documentation your application will not be verified, and you will not progress to the next stage.

Applicants who are not able to supply their BST Certificate at the time of application due to outstanding Programme Requirements only (MRCPI results, ePortfolio incomplete, pending mandatory courses etc.) must to do so without delay and before the final deadline. No exceptions can be made. 

The Irish Medical Council criteria for entry to the trainee specialist register has been revised to only include applicants that meet one of the following at application stage:

Please note that the College is a separate institution and cannot provide advice or assistance regarding the IMC registration process.

For detailed information on how to register, please contact the Irish Medical Council directly.

You can find more information and apply via the IMC website at the link below:

Irish Medical Council

Please follow this link to review the Application Guidance and Frequently asked Questions: https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Training-Programmes/Higher-Specialist-Training/Application-Guidance-and-Frequently-Asked-Questions

HST Cardiology and General Internal Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

HST Cardiology and General Internal Medicine Interview Criteria

HST Chemical Pathology Shortlisting Criteria

It may be a requirement to shortlist applicants, as outlined below: 

HST Chemical Pathology Interview Criteria

HST Clinical Genetics Shortlisting Criteria 

Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Clinical Genetics must have completed, or be in the final year of, Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine or Paediatrics, and must hold the MRCPI.

Applicants who have completed a GP training scheme and hold Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) will also be considered.

Candidates who do not fall into any of the above categories must submit a Letter of Equivalence issued by RCPI.

HST Clinical Genetics Interview Criteria

HST Clinical Microbiology Shortlisting Criteria 

HST Clinical Microbiology Interview Criteria

HST Clinical Neuropathology Entry Requirements

HST Clinical Neuropathology Interview Criteria

HST Clinical Neurophysiology Shortlisting Criteria

HST Clinical Neurophysiology Interview Criteria

HST Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Shortlisting Criteria

HST Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Interview Criteria

HST Dermatology Shortlisting Criteria

HST Dermatology Interview Criteria

HST Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus & General Internal Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

HST Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus & General Internal Medicine Interview Criteria

HST Gastroenterology and General Internal Medicine Shortlisting Criteria  

HST Gastroenterology and General Internal Medicine Interview Criteria 

HST General Paediatrics Shortlisting Criteria

The Faculty of Paediatrics may be required to shortlist applicants, as outlined below: 

HST General Paediatrics Interview Criteria

HST Genitourinary Medicine Shortlisting Criteria 

HST Genitourinary Medicine Interview Criteria

Geriatric Medicine HST Shortlisting Criteria 

Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Geriatrics and GIM must have completed, or be in the final year of, Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine, and must hold the MRCPI.

Applicants with MRCP(UK) may be considered.

Candidates who do not fall into any of the above categories must submit a Letter of Equivalence issued by RCPI.

Geriatric Medicine HST Interview Criteria

HST Haematology Shortlisting Criteria

HST Haematology Interview Criteria

HST Histopathology Shortlisting Criteria

The Faculty of Pathology conducts an aptitude test for any persons wishing to apply to the HST Histopathology Programme. These are conducted in year 2 of the BST Histopathology Scheme and are in lieu of shortlisting for this specialty ONLY. The criteria for the aptitude tests are defined as below: 

HST Histopathology Interview Criteria

HST Immunology Shortlisting Criteria

HST Immunology Interview Criteria

 HST Infectious Diseases & General Internal Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

 HST Infectious Diseases & General Internal Medicine Interview Criteria

HST Medical Oncology Shortlisting Criteria

HST Medical Oncology Interview Criteria

HST Neonatology Shortlisting Criteria

There may be requirement to shortlist applicants as outlined below: 

HST Neonatology Interview Criteria

Eligibility criteria for Neonatal Sub-specialist Training includes Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics (2 years minimum) and successful completion of year 1 and 2 of the Higher Specialist Training Programme in General Paediatrics. 

HST Nephrology Shortlisting Criteria

HST Nephrology Interview Criteria

HST Neurology Shortlisting Criteria

HST Neurology Interview Criteria

HST Obstetrics and Gynaecology Shortlisting Criteria

Please note interview is also subject to a satisfactory Year 3 Assessment.

HST Obstetrics and Gynaecology Interview Criteria

HST Occupational Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

HST Occupational Medicine Interview Criteria

HST Paediatric Cardiology Shortlisting Criteria

Access to HST from BST completed either in Ireland or UK. Equivalence 
based on training requirements.

The Faculty of Paediatrics may be required to shortlist applicants, included in this shortlisting will be a review of the Appraisals submitted on your behalf, as outlined below: 

HST PaediatricsCardiology Interview Criteria

HST Palliative Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Palliative Medicine must have completed, or be in the final year of, Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine, and must hold the MRCPI.

Applicants who have completed a GP training scheme and hold Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) will also be considered.

Candidates who do not fall into any of the above categories must submit a Letter of Equivalence issued by RCPI.

There may be a requirement to shortlist applicants, as outlined below: 

HST Palliative Medicine Interview Criteria

HST Pharmaceutical Medicine Interview Criteria

Entry Criteria for Higher Specialist Training 

Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Pharmaceutical Medicine must have a certificate of completion Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine and obtained the MRCPI. 

Applicants with appropriate higher examinations (including MICGP or MRCSI) may be considered.  

Applicants who do not hold a BST Certificate and MRCPI must provide evidence of equivalency at the time of application. 

All applicants must hold of a position of employment in Ireland that is within a national regulatory agency (e.g. Health Products Regulatory Authority [HPRA]) or within a private enterprise (e.g. a pharmaceutical company such as Pfizer/Abbott, or a medical device company), and whose daily practice is in the field of Pharmaceutical Medicine. 

The applicant's employment location must be listed as an approved training site for Pharmaceutical Medicine. Applicants to the training programme must be supported by their employer organisation and supply evidence of this at application stage. 

Entry on the training programme is at Year 1. Deferrals are not allowed on entry to Training Programme. 

HST Public Health Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

It may be required to shortlist applicants, as outlined below: 

HST Public Health Medicine Interview Criteria

To apply for Higher Specialty Training in Public Health Medicine, you must have: 

• a certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training in a recognised Irish training programme: General Internal Medicine or Paediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Histopathology or Psychiatry or Surgery.
  
• or a certification of completion of the Irish Specialist Anaesthesiology Training or the Irish National GP Training programme.
• or evidence of completion of an equivalent training programme approved by a postgraduate training body – applicants in this category should first apply to our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
• or evidence of verifiable professional public health experience with at least 24 months experience of working in a public health setting (e.g. Senior Medical Officer or other role).
• or evidence of exceptional academic achievement within the field of Public Health. 

 Indicative guidelines regarding the last criterion 

Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the reviewing panel. Applicants applying under this criterion require a minimum of 24 months whole time equivalent of post-internship clinical experience, of which at least 12 months should be within a clinical setting relevant to Public Health. 

Exceptional/outstanding academic achievements in public health or related field may include (but are not limited to) evidence of higher qualifications, research training, awards/prizes. 

Professional public health experience may include (but is not limited to) experience of working within a Department of Public Health in Ireland or abroad (e.g. Senior Medical Officer or equivalent), or in another relevant public health organisation which involves clinical responsibility and decision-making. 

HST Rehabilitation Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

HST Rehabilitation Medicine Interview Criteria

HST Respiratory Medicine and General Internal Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

HST Respiratory Medicine and General Internal Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

HST Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine Shortlisting Criteria

HST Rheumatology and General Internal Medicine Interview Criteria

Up to date information related to trainee refund schemes can always be found on the Medical Careers Website

If you wish to take a leave of absence from your Higher Specialist Training programme, this will need to be discussed and approved with your National Speciality Director(s) and RCPI in advance. Please complete form below and send directly your training coordinator, or email training@rcpi.ie

• Download Leave of Absence Form for Higher Specialist Training (Word, 33KB)

You can obtain a maximum of three months’ credit for approved leave of absence during HST. If you take more than three months’ leave during HST, your period of clinical training will be extended accordingly.

For further information, please read Training Handbook for your programme.

• OCPE Frequently Asked Questions
• OCPE Research Resources
• Download the Out of Clinical Programme Experience Form (OCPE) Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Download the Out of Clinical Programme Experience Form (OCPE) in other specialties 

View the Guide to HSE National Supernumerary Flexible Training Scheme (PDF, 948KB)

Download the Application Form (Word, 82KB)

RCPI is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and supportive training environment for all postgraduate medical trainees. We work to ensure that trainees with disabilities or health conditions have equal opportunities to participate fully in training and are protected from discrimination and harassment.

View the dedicated webpage for more information.

Download Job Sharing Policy (PDF, 183KB)

Download Job Sharing Application Form (Word, 27KB)

Download Grievance Procedures for Trainees (PDF, 182KB)

Download Disciplinary Procedure for Trainees (PDF, 232KB)

Download Equal Opportunities Policy (PDF, 180KB)

Download Progression Through Training: Higher Specialist Training (PDF, 280KB)

Download the HST Allocations Policy (PDF, 124KB)

The RPT process is the formal recognition of a structured medical training programme which, if deemed equivalent to one of our BST programmes, will enable application to a RCPI HST training programme and avoid unnecessary duplication of training. It does not enable the applicant to receive a BST Certificate of Completion from the RCPI.  The applicant must have completed a structured training programme in full and have evidence to prove same.   For more, please see

Download Recognition of Prior Training Policy - V4 2025 (PDF, 325.9 KB)

Download Appeals Policy: Postgraduate Training (Word, 1.2MB)

Download Appeals Policy: Recruitment and Selection (Word, 1.1MB)

Download Anti-Bullying Policy (PDF, 304KB)

Download RCPI Confidentiality Policy (PDF, 281KB)

Download RCPI Referral Policy (PDF, 322KB)

Download RCPI Remediation Policy (PDF, 309KB)

Download RCPI Return to Training Policy (PDF, 347KB)

Download RCPI Disability Policy (PDF, 214KB)

The RCPI have a strong commitment to ensuring all doctors in training have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Flexible or Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training guidelines are designed to support those trainees who wish to train flexibly for either professional or personal reasons and thereby ensures a pathway by which a trainee has the opportunity to continue their training on a flexible bases while continuing to attain the required competencies and range of experience necessary.

RCPI would consider that all training posts can be used for flexible training arrangements, and we envisage to work and support a trainee on this principle.

All Postgraduate trainees can apply for flexible training at any stage of their training pathway but, it is acknowledged that those in the first year of training BST training should if possible complete a full year in training before requesting flexible options.


Aims of Flexible training

1. Retention of trainees who are unable to continue their training on a full-time basis.
2. Promote career development and work/life balance for trainees.
3. Ensure continued training on a time equivalent basis.
4. Maintain a balance between flexible training arrangements, the educational requirements of both full-time and flexible trainees and the service needs.  

Principles of Flexible Training

1. All trainees can apply for flexible training and all applications will be treated positively and equally.
2. No existing trainee will be disadvantaged by the application for flexible training options.
3. All accredited posts are deemed suitable for flexible training must be appropriate for the trainee’s training requirements at the time.
4. There will be a transparent, independent and fair process in place for trainees who choose to train flexibly.

Flexible Training examples

1.    4-day week.
2.    Reduction in working week to between 0.6 and 0.8.
3.    Job sharing where two trainees agree to share a post at a 0.6 each.
4.    Week on week off.

Flexible Training considerations - Trainees

Trainees should consider the following prior to applying for Flexible training:

• Salary implications and the duration of training before undertaking this route of training.
• Duration of training will lengthen and CSCST date will be extended.

Applications for the training year commencing in July 2025 close on 31 October at 5pm.

Please click here to access the application form.

Less Than Full Time Training Policy 2526

Less Than Full Time Training FAQs

Further information will be available at a later date.