Global membership

An IRC is an overseas representative body of College members. They act as the liaison between members in their country and the College by seeking their views and ensuring that the Committee represents all members’ professional and clinical interests.

An RCOG IRCs is a collective body of College members in a country/region that act as representation for Fellows and Members in that area. They are the link between members in that country/region and the College by seeking their views and ensuring that the Committee represents members’ professional and clinical interests.

IRCs are made up of active Members and Fellows resident in their country of employment. Each IRC will have 6 elected committee members along with a chair. Ideally, 3 Fellows, 3 Members and a Chair. Terms are for 3 years. IRCs may co-opt RCOG Associates and Trainees to the group.

RCOG Liaison Groups (LGs) are made up international doctors resident in the British Isles, or doctors with a strong interest in a specific country, who wish to support development of women’s health care in that region. Each group is known as the RCOG (country) Liaison Group.

The College’s LGs are formed by UK-based international doctors with a high-level interest in a particular country; they’re focus will be supporting the development of women’s healthcare in that region. Each group is known as the RCOG [country-name] Liaison Group.

You can read more about this Group here, on our LG information page.

LG’s are made up of active Members and Fellows resident in the British Isles, with a special interest in a particular country. Ideally, each LG will have a set of elected Officers performing the duties of chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Members of the College must be fully qualified doctors who have passed all parts of the Membership exam (MRCOG), having fulfilled the regulations regarding training. Members are subsequently admitted to the Membership at a meeting of Council. Members are entitled to use the designatory letters MRCOG.

Fellows are elected each year from the Membership and should normally have been members for at least 12 years and have made a significant contribution to O&G through research, teaching or publications. Fellows are entitled to use the designatory letters FRCOG.

 Associates are medical practitioners worldwide who are working in the field of women’s health care but who do not hold the MRCOG and who wish to be linked with, and support, the activities of the RCOG. Applicants must have a medical degree.

Honorary Fellows are distinguished people outside the medical profession who are elected by RCOG Council. Honorary Fellows may use the designatory letters FRCOG. Honorary Fellows are considered active fellows of the RCOG, thus are entitled to vote, second and nominate during IRC elections.

Fellowship ad eundem is awarded to people who are not members of the College but who have contributed to the advancement of the science or practice of O&G and whom Council considers have furthered the interests of the specialty. Fellows ad eundem are entitled to use the designatory letters FRCOG. Fellows ad eundem are considered active fellows of the RCOG, thus are entitled to vote, second and nominate during IRC elections.

Co-opted members may be Associates, Trainees or non-RCOG members. They are invited to participate in the community, but will not be able to nominate/second for posts or cast votes during elections.

Active Fellows and Members who are up-to-date with their fees and are a resident of their country/zone of employment. Co-opted members are not eligible to bear office.

Active Fellows and Members who are up-to-date with their fees and are a resident of their respective countries, zones. Associates, trainees or non-members of the RCOG are not eligible to vote.

Active Fellows and Members who are up-to-date with their fees and are a resident of their respective countries, zones. Associates, trainees or non-members of the RCOG are not eligible to second.