Specialists Accreditation Board

2. Who can apply for specialist accreditation?

The applicant must be a medical practitioner currently registered (either full registration or conditional registration) with the Singapore Medical Council. Otherwise, he should apply concurrently to the Singapore Medical Council for registration as a medical practitioner.

The applicant must have obtained a relevant recognised basic specialist qualification and an exit specialist qualification.

The applicant must have completed an approved specialist training programme in Singapore or overseas.

3. Must I complete the Advanced Specialist Training before I apply for specialist accreditation?

The applicant must have completed an approved specialist training programme in Singapore or overseas. Specialist training programmes conducted overseas will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

4. Must I be FAMS certified before I apply for specialist accreditation?

No, FAMS (Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore) certification is not a pre-requisite for specialist accreditation.

5. Can I apply for specialist accreditation just before sitting for the exit interview?

Local trainees are required to sit for their exit interview and obtain a letter from the Academy of Medicine Singapore or the Graduate School of Medical Studies certifying they have completed their advanced training before applying for specialist accreditation. A copy of the certification letter should be sent to the Secretariat of the Specialists Accreditation Board.

The respective Specialist Training Committee will decide if any foreign trained applicant needs to sit for the exit interview.

6. What happens if an applicant applies for specialist accreditation but he does not meet the criteria?

Trainees are advised not to apply for specialist accreditation if they do not meet any of the specified requirements. Applicants who do not meet any specified criteria would not be successful in the application.

7. Can I apply and leave for my HMDP after I have sat for my exit interview?

If an applicant wishes to be registered as a specialist for the period during his HMDP, he should ensure that all required documents are submitted to the Specialists Accreditation Board together with his application form before he leaves for HMDP.

8. Can foreigners apply for specialist accreditation?

Foreign medical practitioners are eligible to apply for specialist accreditation as long as they are registered (either full registration or conditional registration) with the Singapore Medical Council, and as long as they meet the other specified criteria.

9. How long does it take the Specialists Accreditation Board to approve an application?

If the applicant has completed an approved specialist training programme in Singapore or overseas, the process takes about three weeks. If the case needs to be referred to the respective Specialist Training Committee for evaluation , the process may take about two months.

10. Can I be designated as a specialist after I have been accredited by the Specialists Accreditation Board?

Medical practitioners who are accredited by the Specialists Accreditation Board need to apply for registration in the Registry of Specialists, maintained by the Singapore Medical Council, before they can be designated as specialists. The Singapore Medical Council charges $500 for specialist registration.

11. What are the charges for application for specialist accreditation?

The Specialists Accreditation Board does not charge applicants for specialist accreditation. However, a one-time payment of S$500 is payable to the Singapore Medical Council for registration as a specialist.