ARCP · for doctors in training
The ARCP: what each outcome means and how to prepare
The Annual Review of Competence Progression decides whether you move to the next year of training. This guide explains every outcome code, what the panel looks at, what to do if the result goes against you, and what IMT trainees need each year.
- Gold Guide 11th edition, quoted
- IMT decision aid, August 2026 update
The ARCP at a glance
- At least once a year, with no more than 15 months between reviews.
- A panel of at least three reviews your portfolio and your educational supervisor’s report. You are not in the room while they decide.
- Your portfolio must be ready at least two weeks before the panel.
- Outcome 1 means you progress. Outcomes 2 to 5 each mean something different, and only some can be appealed.
Source: The Gold Guide, 11th edition (COPMeD), September 2026 update.
What an ARCP is
The ARCP is a formal review of the evidence you and your educational supervisor have gathered against your curriculum. It decides whether you can progress, and it also feeds into your GMC revalidation, because the panel’s view goes to the Responsible Officer who recommends you to the GMC.
- How often: at least once a year, with a maximum gap of 15 months. Some trainees have extra reviews, for example at a critical progression point or if they train less than full time.
- Who decides: a panel of at least three trained members, including the Postgraduate Dean (or a deputy), Head of School or a Training Programme Director. A lay advisor and an external advisor normally contribute.
- Are you there? No. You are not present while the panel decides. You are told the outcome afterwards, and you should be offered a meeting to discuss it.
What the panel looks at
- Your ePortfolio: workplace-based assessments (such as mini-CEX, CbD, DOPS and MSF), logbooks, and quality improvement and research records.
- Your educational supervisor’s report, a structured report on your progress. You may submit a response to it.
- Form R (or SOAR in Scotland), declaring your full scope of practice since the last review. Without it, the panel cannot give you Outcome 1.
- Exams and certificates your curriculum requires by that point, such as MRCP parts and ALS for IMT.
You should get at least six weeks’ notice of the evidence deadline, and your portfolio must be available at least two weeks before the panel meets.
Every ARCP outcome explained
| Outcome | Name | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Achieving progress and capabilities at the expected rate | You progress to the next year. |
| 2 | Development of specific capabilities required: additional training time not required | Some capabilities are outstanding, but your training is not extended. You get a plan to close the gaps. |
| 3 | Development of specific capabilities required: additional training time required | Your training is extended, which moves your end date. |
| 4 | Released from training programme with or without specified capabilities | Your training number or contract is withdrawn. |
| 5 | Incomplete evidence presented: an assessment of progression cannot be made | A holding outcome. The panel cannot judge your progress until the missing evidence arrives. |
| 6 | Achieved all required capabilities for completion of the programme | You have completed the programme, or are recommended for your CCT. |
| 7.1–7.4 | Outcomes for fixed-term posts | The equivalents of Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5 for fixed-term posts such as LATs. |
| 8 | Out of programme | You are out of programme for clinical experience, research or a career break, or have paused training. |
| 10.1 / 10.2 | Force majeure outcomes | “No fault” versions of Outcomes 2 and 3, used only when the four UK education bodies direct it, as they did during COVID. |
Source: The Gold Guide, 11th edition, pages 75 to 80. Outcomes 2, 3 and 4 also carry a reason code (U1 to U8), such as U5 for exams outstanding.
Outcome 5 and the two-week rule
Outcome 5 is the most avoidable result. It means the panel had too little evidence to decide. Common causes include missing the evidence deadline, an educational supervisor’s report that hasn’t been completed, or a missing or incomplete Form R.
If the missing piece is your Form R, the Gold Guide gives you two weeks to put it right. If it is still missing after that, you cannot receive Outcome 1 or 6. For other missing evidence, the panel sets a deadline, normally no more than eight weeks.
Reviews and appeals
- Outcome 2: you can ask the panel chair for a review in writing. The review panel’s decision is final.
- Outcomes 3 and 4: you can appeal in writing to the Postgraduate Dean within ten working days of being told, stating your grounds. A review comes first. If that does not resolve it, a formal appeal hearing follows, normally within 30 working days of your request.
- The outcome cannot get worse on appeal. An appeal panel should not, for example, change an Outcome 3 to an Outcome 4.
Wales (HEIW) runs its own two-stage process. Check your local office’s guidance as soon as you receive an outcome you want to challenge.
IMT: what you need at each ARCP
For Internal Medicine Training, the JRCPTB decision aid sets out what the panel expects each year. These are the main requirements from the August 2026 update.
| Requirement | IMY1 | IMY2 | IMY3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACATs (by consultants) | 4 a year, at least 2 on the acute take | ||
| Mini-CEX and/or CbD | 2 a year | ||
| Multiple consultant reports (MCR) | 4 | 4, at least 3 commenting on the acute take | |
| MSF | 1 valid MSF a year | ||
| MRCP(UK) | Part 1 | Full diploma | |
| Advanced Life Support | Valid certificate | ||
| Quality improvement | – | 1 project, assessed with QIPAT | – |
| Teaching attended | 50 hours a year, including at least 20 hours of recognised internal medicine teaching | ||
| Outpatient clinics | 20 | 20 | 20 (80 in total) |
Source: JRCPTB IMT ARCP decision aid, 2019 curriculum, August 2026 update. It also sets out procedural skills by year, simulation training, critical care and geriatric medicine placements, and the level expected for each capability in practice (CiP).
Two points worth knowing. Missing MRCP alone, with no other concerns, leads to Outcome 2 at IMY1 or IMY2, and Outcome 3 at IMY3. And falling up to 15% short of the indicative numbers (such as clinics) should not affect your outcome, provided there is a clear plan to make them up.
How to avoid a bad outcome
- Diary the evidence deadline as soon as it is published, and aim to finish two weeks early.
- Check your curriculum’s decision aid against your portfolio before your supervisor writes their report.
- Complete Form R in full, including time out of training and any incidents or complaints.
- Record teaching attendance as you go, rather than reconstructing it in the last week.
- If you are short of anything, agree a plan with your supervisor and make sure it is written into the report.
Thinking ahead to ST3 or ST4
Your ARCP portfolio is also the evidence for your next application. If you are in IMT, the physician higher specialty training (PHST) self-assessment scores many of the same things, including teaching, quality improvement, presentations and qualifications.
- See how the PHST ST3/ST4 self-assessment is scored, and check your total.
- Find out what a teaching course is worth at ST3.
- Present your audit or QI project at NMERC, a national online conference where submitting an abstract is free.
Common questions
Do I attend my ARCP?
No. The panel reviews your evidence without you. You are told the outcome afterwards and offered a meeting to discuss it.
What is an Outcome 5?
It means the panel did not have enough evidence to decide. It is a holding outcome: once you supply the missing evidence, the panel can give a final outcome.
Can I appeal an Outcome 2?
You can ask the panel for a review, but not a formal appeal. Formal appeals are for Outcomes 3 and 4.
Does a poor ARCP outcome affect my revalidation?
Not by itself. The GMC says a poor training outcome does not on its own stop you revalidating, but you must take part in the ARCP process.
