Histopathology CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Histopathology Portfolio Pathway: 11 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), 21 evidence sections, and a 10-year currency window. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by Royal College of Pathologists.
SSG Version: 07/02/2025
Capabilities in Practice (CiPs)
The Histopathology SSG defines 11 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) that Portfolio Pathway applicants must demonstrate competence in.
Able to function effectively within healthcare and other organisational and management systems to deliver consistent high-quality patient care.
Able to work within ethical and legal frameworks across all aspects of clinical practice.
Communicates effectively and is able to share decision making, while maintaining appropriate situational awareness, professional behaviour and professional judgement.
Maintains patient safety at the forefront of clinical working. Can utilise quality improvement activity realistically within the constraints of the role.
Able to contribute to and support research.
Behaves as an educator in the context of the role and promotes educational culture.
Able to self-appraise, learn and adapt.
Able to demonstrate leadership and management within the laboratory setting for the benefit of patient care.
Able to use laboratory and other services effectively in the investigation, diagnosis, and management of patients, relatives, and the deceased.
Able to manage and contribute to a multidisciplinary team effectively.
Able to take, manage and interpret pathological specimens accurately and safely, mindful of risks to self and others.
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 21 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Evidence of training, qualifications, and employment
Evidence of your training as background evidence to see your whole career pathway.
What to provide
- Primary medical qualification (PMQ)
- Specialist medical qualification(s) (e.g., FRCPath)
- Recent specialist training curriculum or syllabus
- ARCPs or formal periodic assessment during training
- Other relevant qualifications and certificates (e.g., CHAT, CHCCT)
- CV
- Employment letters
- Job descriptions
How to present
Authenticated copies of qualifications from outside the UK. CV must match employment letters and job descriptions.
Logbook or structured portfolio of evidence of professional experience
Evidence to indicate the breadth and volume of experience the applicant has had during their career.
What to provide
- Records of clinical consultations
- Participation in meetings
- Patient-related letters
- Patient lists
- Workload data
- Rotas
- Job plans/timetables
- Log of total number of supervised and independent reports undertaken
- Evidence of independent reports in surgical histopathology, cervical cytopathology and non-cervical cytopathology
- Autopsy reports, case summaries, or evidence of appropriate qualification
How to present
Mapped to CiPs. Do not include multiple copies; cross-reference instead.
ARCPs and training assessments
Records of periodic assessment undertaken during training.
What to provide
- Copy of all Annual Reviews of Competence Progression [ARCPs] undertaken
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Appraisals and assessments
Evidence of revalidation/appraisal documentation.
What to provide
- Appraisal forms including appraisers comments and appraisal discussion
- Evidence of workplace-based assessments (WPBA)
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
360° and multi-source feedback
Evidence of regular multi-source feedback or external or peer-review reports.
What to provide
- MSF report including feedback from clinical colleagues (pathologists and other specialties), other professions, and non-clinical colleagues
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Management and leadership experience
Evidence of management activities, e.g. developing, delivering and managing a high-quality service.
What to provide
- Letters/emails from Clinical Directors
- Rotas
- Management training course certificates
- Minutes confirming personal contribution to a meeting or project
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
CPD record certificates, certificates of attendance, workshops and at local, national and international meetings or conferences
Evidence of life-long learning or CPD or CME.
What to provide
- Portfolio documenting evidence of life-long learning or CPD or CME
- Certificates of attendance for the five most relevant courses, conferences and meetings
- Annual summaries of CPD/CME activities
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Membership of professional bodies and organisations
Evidence of current membership of relevant professional bodies.
What to provide
- Membership certificate(s)
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Audits and quality improvement activity undertaken by applicant
Evidence of at least one complete cycle of audit/Qi activities.
What to provide
- Complete cycle of audit/Qi activities (baseline, intervention, further measurement)
- Reflection to critically appraise the outcome and impact
- Published audit, authenticated by head of department
- Project report, documentation, protocols or forms
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Reflective practice
Evidence of reflective practice.
What to provide
- High quality, detailed accounts of events demonstrating independent practice (approx. 10 detailed reflections)
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Service improvement and clinical governance
Evidence of participation in clinical governance activity.
What to provide
- Participation in an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme
- Engagement with service improvement activity
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Colleagues
Evidence of Histopathology practice interactions.
What to provide
- Multi-source feedback
- Letters requesting a second opinion from colleagues
- Letters of appreciation from colleagues
- Communications with clinical colleagues advising them or answering questions
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Research papers, grants, patent designs
Evidence of ability to critically appraise research evidence and apply this to clinical practice.
What to provide
- Participation in a departmental Journal Club
- Acting as a reviewer for a scientific journal
- Diagnostic test accuracy assessment
- Conference presentations or manuscripts published in peer reviewed journals
- Engagement with research approvals and governance process
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Teaching and lecturing
Evidence of medical education activity.
What to provide
- Timetables of teaching
- Letter confirming role from Dean's office or academic head
- Involvement in postgraduate Histopathology teaching
- Evaluation forms/feedback
- Letters/emails from colleagues confirming role in teaching/supervision
- Examining activity for universities or medical Royal Colleges
- Workplace-based assessments undertaken for doctors supervised
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Attendance at teaching courses
Evidence of attending and giving teaching courses.
What to provide
- Certificates of attendance at relevant teaching courses
- Talks, presentations or teaching sessions given (supported by timetables/programmes)
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Participation in assessment or appraisal and appointments processes
Evidence of involvement in conducting appraisal of others.
What to provide
- Letter of confirmation from Chief Executive or Medical Director
- Evidence of relevant training
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Working in multidisciplinary teams
Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary or clinicopathological meetings/MDTs.
What to provide
- Attendance lists
- Minutes of meetings
- Action points directly involving the applicant
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Data protection
Evidence of data protection awareness.
What to provide
- Course attendance certificates
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Laboratory experience
Evidence of experience in the selection, validation and interpretation of laboratory tests.
What to provide
- Logbook of cases covering the range of conditions seen
- Medical reports across the breadth of practice
- Communications with clinical colleagues
- Minutes of MDT meetings
- Evidence of participation in interpretive EQA
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Consolidation, cumulative data sheets, summary lists and annual caseload statistics
Evidence of departmental statistics in relation to the applicant's personal workload and turnaround time.
What to provide
- Departmental statistics
- Personal workload and turnaround time data
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Equality and human rights
Evidence of recent equality and diversity training.
What to provide
- Equality and diversity training certificates
How to present
Mapped to CiPs.
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) by examination in histopathology
Alternative Path
Robust evidence of having passed a substantial examination (e.g. a nationally or internationally recognised postgraduate examination in histopathology) that demonstrates knowledge and skills to a similar standard as the FRCPath, or alternative evidence mapped to each element of knowledge and skills examined in the FRCPath examination.
No other qualifications are considered directly comparable, it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will require the applicant to produce an extensive and detailed portfolio of evidence.
Referee Requirements
Referee Reports Required
Most recent 12 months of clinical practice (up to 3 years if in a very small team)
- At least one clinical lead or clinical director who has been your clinical manager during your most recent 12 months of clinical practice
- At least two consultants practising in the specialty, with whom you have worked closely during your most recent 12 months of clinical practice
- At least one reference must be from your most recent educational supervisor if you are in training or have been in a training programme within the last five years
- Appraiser from the two years prior to making your application (if applicable)
- Up to two structured reports from consultants practising in another specialty (optional)
Volume and Assessment Targets
The SSG specifies minimum volume and assessment targets for this specialty.
Total reported cases across the breadth of specimen types to be ready for independent practice
5000 cases
Independent reports covering surgical histopathology, cervical cytopathology and non-cervical cytopathology
30 independent reports
Detailed reflections to demonstrate skills across a range of clinical, laboratory or managerial scenarios
10 detailed reflections
Multi-source feedback or external/peer-review reports
At least once for every five years of practice in the most recent 10 years
Currency Window & Evidence Volume
Currency Window
Years
Evidence from the last 10 years will be accepted although a small amount of older evidence can be considered where it provides a more complete account of your breadth of practice. Any significant gaps in training or experience (e.g. six months or more) in the last five years should be explained.
Evidence Volume
800-1000 pages
Additional Notes
Do not submit original documents. You must provide your evidence electronically.
You must anonymise (redact) identifiable information.
If you have an item of evidence that is relevant to more than one CiP, do not include multiple copies in your evidence. Instead, provide one copy and list it in your application under each relevant CiP, stating that the document is located elsewhere, and you would like to cross-reference it.
Assessors attach high value to evidence that is readily identified as being personal, or unique, to the applicant. For example, independent laboratory reports produced by applicants are particularly valuable.
Please complete the template provided on the College website which allows you to list your evidence, map each piece of evidence to the relevant CIP and provide a commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Histopathology CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Histopathology require?
What evidence is required for Histopathology specialist registration?
How long is the currency window for Histopathology?
Start Your Histopathology Portfolio
Map your evidence to the Histopathology framework, track readiness, and export your GMC submission.