JCST Residency training and assessment requirements

This page contains information on the Specialty Training Requirements (STRs), Entrustment Professional Activities (EPAs) and criteria for progression to senior resident for JCST accredited residency programmes.

Last updated on 2 October 2026

Specialty Training Requirements (STRs) and Entrustment Professional Activities (EPAs) for JCST accredited residency programmes

This section details the STRs and EPAs for each specialty/subspecialty:

The STR documents the training and assessment requirements for the specialty/subspecialty (e.g. didactic programmes, clinical experiences, scholarly activities, summative assessments etc.)

EPAs are units of professional practice (tasks) that can be entrusted to the resident with the right competencies to perform at the specified entrustment level, as assessed through workplace-based assessments.

Note: In addition to the requirements stated in the STRs and EPAs published below, residents must comply with any other regulatory requirements or practice-based requirements mandated by the healthcare institutions or place of practice.

Specialty Training Requirements (STRs) and Entrustment Professional Activities (EPAs) for JCST accredited residency programmes

JCST residency programmes	Duration of training	Training requirements	Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)
Advanced Internal Medicine (AIM)	2 years (R4-R5)	Advanced Internal Medicine - STR (6 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Jul 2026	For AY23 cohort onwards: Advanced Internal Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Nov 2022) [PDF, 178.30 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Nov 2022
Anaesthesiology	5 years (R1-R5)	Anaesthesiology - STR (21 Nov 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 21 Nov 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Anaesthesiology - Entrustable Professional Activities (20 May 2024) [PDF, 233.74 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 20 May 2024
Anatomical Pathology	5 years (R1-R5)	Anatomical Pathology - STR (26 Jun 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 26 Jun 2025	For AY24 cohort onwards: Anatomical Pathology - Entrustable Professional Activities (8 May 2023) [PDF, 234.35 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 8 May 2023
Cardiology	3.5 years (SR1-R3)	Cardiology - STR (15 May 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 15 May 2025	For AY24 cohort onwards: Cardiology - Entrustable Professional Activities (28 Feb 2023) [PDF, 201.93 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 28 Feb 2023
Cardiothoracic Surgery (CTS)	4 years (R3-R6)	Cardiothoracic Surgery - STR (6 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Jul 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Cardiothoracic Surgery Entrustable Professional Activities (9 Sep 2025) [PDF, 296.18 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 9 Sep 2025
Chemical Pathology	5 years (R1 to R5)	Chemical Pathology - STR (27 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Chemical Pathology - Entrustable Professional Activities (14 Nov 2025) [PDF, 373.47 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 14 Nov 2025
Dermatology	3.5 years (R4-R6.5)	Dermatology - STR (7 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on 7 Jul 2026	For AY23 cohort onwards: Dermatology - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Oct 2025) [PDF, 261.58 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Oct 2025
Diagnostic Radiology	5 years (R1-R5)	Diagnostic Radiology - STR (13 Oct 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 13 Oct 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Diagnostic Radiology - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Nov 2022) [PDF, 191.10 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Nov 2022
Emergency Medicine	5 years (R1-R5)	Emergency Medicine - STR (7 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on 7 Jul 2026 [Note: Section on EPAs as learning outcomes is only applicable to cohorts from AY23 onwards]	For AY23 cohort onwards: Emergency Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (22 Jan 2026) [PDF, 204.55 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 22 Jan 2026
Endocrinology	3 years (R4-R6)	Endocrinology - STR (26 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 26 Aug 2026	For AY25 cohort onwards: Endocrinology - Entrustable Professional Activities (5 Dec 2024) [PDF, 143.51 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 5 Dec 2024
Forensic Pathology	5 years (R1-R5)	Forensic Pathology - STR (4 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 4 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Forensic Pathology - Entrustable Professional Activities (6 Sep 2024) [PDF, 234.84 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Sep 2024
Gastroenterology	3 years (SR1-SR3)	Gastroenterology - STR (21 Apr 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on 21 Apr 2025	For AY24 cohort onwards: Gastroenterology - Entrustable Professional Activities (13 Aug 2024) [PDF, 199.48 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 13 Aug 2024
General Surgery	6 years (R1-R6)	For AY25 cohort onwards: General Surgery - STR (9 Sep 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 9 Sep 2025	For AY25 cohort onwards: General Surgery - Entrustable Professional Activities (9 Sep 2024) [PDF, 146.33 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 9 Sep 2024
Geriatric Medicine	3 years (R4-R6)	Geriatric Medicine - STR (15 Sep 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 15 Sep 2026	For AY24 cohort onwards: Geriatric Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (6 Sep 2024) [PDF, 205.31 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Sep 2024
Haematology	3.5 years (R4-R6.5)	Haematology Residency Training Requirements (prior to July 2017 intake) [PDF, 655 KB] (opens in new tab) Haematology Residency Training Requirements (July 2017 intake onwards) [PDF, 662 KB] (opens in new tab)	For AY25 cohort onwards: Haematology – Entrustable Professional Activities (29 Aug 2023) [PDF, 596.45 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 29 Aug 2023
Hand Surgery	4 years (R3-R6)	Hand Surgery - STR (4 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 4 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Hand Surgery - Entrustable Professional Activities (09 Sep 2025) [PDF, 156.74 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 9 Sep 2025
Infectious Diseases	3 years (R4-R6)	Infectious Diseases - STR (21 Apr 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 21 Apr 2025	For AY24 cohort onwards: Infectious Disease - Entrustable Professional Activities (28 Feb 2023) [PDF, 135.28 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 28 Feb 2023
Intensive Care Medicine	1 year (SS1) or 2 years (SS1-SS2)	Intensive Care Medicine - STR (6 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Jul 2026	For AY25 cohort onwards: Intensive Care Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (22 Dec 2025) [PDF, 215.46 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 22 Dec 25
Internal Medicine	3 years (R4-R6)	Internal Medicine - STR (1 Dec 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 1 Dec 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Internal Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (14 Sep 2022) [PDF, 132.22 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 14 Sep 2022
Medical Oncology	3 years (R4-R6)	Medical Oncology - STR (7 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 7 Jul 2026	For AY24 cohort onwards: Medical Oncology - Entrustable Professional Activities (5 Dec 2023) [PDF, 139.40 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 5 Dec 2023
Medical Microbiology	5 years (R1-R5)	Medical Microbiology - STR (21 Apr 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 21 Apr 2025 Microbiology Trainee Handbook 2024 (opens in new tab)	For AY23 cohort onwards: Medical Microbiology - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Nov 2022) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Nov 2022
Neonatology		Neonatology - STR (27 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Neonatology Entrustable Professional Activities - (28 Jan 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 28 Jan 2026
Neurology	3 years (R4-R6)	Neurology - STR (1 Dec 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 1 Dec 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Neurology - Entrustable Professional Activities (21 Jul 2021) [PDF, 147.92 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 21 Jul 2021
Neurosurgery	4 years (R3-R6)	Neurosurgery - STR (1 Sep 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 1 Sep 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Neurosurgery - Entrustable Professional Activities (10 Sep 2025) [PDF, 467.16 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 10 Sep 2025
Nuclear Medicine	2.5 years (R4-R5.5)	Nuclear Medicine - STR (31 Dec 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 31 Dec 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Nuclear Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (28 Feb 2023) [PDF, 131.25 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 28 Feb 2023
Obstetrics & Gynaecology	6 years (R1-R6)	Obstetrics & Gynaecology Residency Training Requirements [PDF, 92 KB] (opens in new tab)	For AY25 cohort onwards: Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Entrustable Professional Activities (26 Jun 2025) [PDF, 320.20 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 26 Jun 2025
Ophthalmology	5 years (R1-R5)	Ophthalmology - STR (7 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 7 Jul 2026 [Note: Section on EPAs as learning outcomes is only applicable to cohorts from AY23 onwards]	For AY23 cohort onwards: Ophthalmology - Entrustable Professional Activities (14 Sep 2022) [PDF, 182.79 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 14 Sep 2022
Orthopaedic Surgery	6 years (R1-R6)	Orthopaedic Surgery - STR (7 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 7 Jul 2026	For AY24 cohort onwards: Orthopaedic Surgery - Entrustable Professional Activities (25 May 2023) [PDF, 165.39 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 25 May 2023
Otorhinolaryngology	5 years (R1-R5)	Otorhinolayngology Residency Training Requirements [PDF, 259 KB] (opens in new tab)	For AY25 cohort onwards: Otorhinolaryngology - Entrustable Professional Activities (27 Aug 2026) [PDF, 368.45 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026
Paediatric Cardiology	2 years (SS1-SS2)	Paediatric Cardiology - STR (27 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Paediatric Cardiology - Entrustable Professional Activities (5 Dec 2024) [PDF, 234.11 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 5 Dec 2024
Paediatric Gastroenterology	2 years (SS1-SS2)	Paediatric Gastroenterology - STR (27 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Paediatric Gastroenterology - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Nov 2022) [PDF, 175.48 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Nov 2022
Paediatric Haematolgy and Oncology	2 years (SS1-SS2)	Paediatric Haematology-Oncology (27 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Paediatric Haematology & Oncology - Entrustable Professional Activities (5 Dec 2024) [PDF, 243.01 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 5 Dec 2024
Paediatric Intensive Care	2 years (SS1-SS2)	Paediatric Intensive Care - STR (27 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Paediatric Intensive Care - Entrustabe Professional Activities (6 Sep 2024) [PDF, 201.28 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Sep 2024
Paediatric Medicine	6 years (R1-R6)	Paediatric Medicine - STR (7 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 7 Jul 2026	For AY23 cohort onwards: Paediatric Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (6 Sep 2024) [PDF, 226.08 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Sep 2024
Paediatric Nephrology	2 years (SS1-SS2)	Paediatric Nephrology - STR (27 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 27 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Paediatric Nephrology - Entrustable Professional Activities (5 Dec 2024) [PDF, 181.71 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 5 Dec 2024
Paediatric Surgery	4 years (R3-R6)	Paediatric Surgery - STR (9 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 9 Jul 2026	For AY23 cohort onwards: Paediatric Surgery - Entrustable Professional Activities (28 Feb 2023) [PDF, 368.86 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 28 Feb 2023
Palliative Medicine	2 years (R1-R2)	Palliative Medicine - STR (11 Dec 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 11 Dec 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Palliative Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Nov 2022) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Nov 2022
Plastic Surgery	4 years (R3-R6)	Plastic Surgery - STR (16 Dec 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 16 Dec 2025	For AY25 cohort onwards: Plastic Surgery – Entrustable Professional Activities (16 Dec 2025) [PDF, 252.27 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 16 Dec 2025
Preventive Medicine	5 years (R1-R5)	Preventive Medicine - STR (21 Nov 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 21 Nov 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Preventive Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (21 Apr 2021) [PDF, 334.84 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 21 Apr 2021
Psychiatry	5 years (R1-R5)	Psychiatry - STR (21 Apr 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 21 Apr 2025	For AY23 cohort onwards: Psychiatry - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Nov 2022) [PDF, 259.84 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Nov 2022
Radiation Oncology	5 years (R1-R5)	Radiation Oncology - STR (4 Aug 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 4 Aug 2026	For AY26 cohort onwards: Radiation Oncology - Entrustable Professional Activities (05 Dec 2024) [PDF, 183.64 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 5 Dec 2024
Rehabilitation Medicine	3 years (R4-R6)	Rehabilitation Medicine - STR (3 Feb 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 3 Feb 2026	For AY23 cohort onwards: Rehabilitation Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (14 Sep 2022) [PDF, 123.84 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 14 Sep 2022
Renal Medicine	3.5 years (R4-R6.5)	Renal Medicine - STR (16 Dec 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 16 Dec 2025	For AY24 cohort onwards: Renal Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (25 May 2023) [PDF, 233.29 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 25 May 2023
Respiratory Medicine	3 years (R4-R6)	Respiratory Medicine - STR (9 Sep 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on 9 Sep 2025	For AY24 cohort onwards: Respiratory Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (24 Oct 2023) [PDF, 142.16 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 24 Oct 2023
Rheumatology	3 years (R4-R6)	Rheumatology - STR (2 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 2 Jul 2026	For AY24 cohort onwards: Rheumatology - Entrustable Professional Activities (30 Nov 2022) [PDF, 173.51 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 30 Nov 2022
Sports Medicine	3 years (SS1-SS3)	Sports Medicine - STR (9 Apr 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 9 Apr 2026	For AY25 cohort onwards: Sports Medicine - Entrustable Professional Activities (28 Feb 2023) [PDF, 127.49 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 28 Feb 2023
Surgery-in-General (SIG)	2 years (R1-R2)	Surgery-In-General - STR (1 Dec 2025) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 1 Dec 2025	For AY24 cohort onwards: Surgery in General - Entrustable Professional Activities (25 May 2023) [PDF, 134.70 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 25 May 2023
Urology	4 years (R3-R6)	Urology - STR (6 Jul 2026) (opens in new tab) Approved on: 6 Jul 2026	For AY25 cohort onwards: Urology - Entrustable Professional Activities (26 June 2025) [PDF, 184.36 KB] (opens in new tab) Approved on: 26 June 2025

Criteria for progression to senior residency

The criteria for progression from Resident to Senior Resident are as follows:

a. Certification by the Programme Director (PD) that the resident has completed R3 [1]and acquired the necessary competencies specified for an R3 [1] resident. The PD’s certification should be based on robust, objective and standardised criteria and should include regular multiple clinical formative assessments by core faculty members. This process could be further strengthened by inter-institution / inter-cluster workplace assessments of the resident in R3 [1]; and

b. Fulfilment of the requirements laid down by the Residency Advisory Committee (RAC) for progression to Senior Resident. Unless otherwise stated, the examination criterion in the table below refers to the attainment of the entire qualification (i.e. all parts of the examination are required).

[1] R4 for Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Criteria for progression to senior residency

Specialty	Length of Residency Training	Criteria for Progression to Senior Resident [2]
Advanced Internal Medicine & Internal Medicine related specialties [3]	5 to 6.5 years (including Internal Medicine residency)	For residents entering R4 from July 2019 onwards Pass MRCP or M.Med (Internal Medicine) PD certification of successful completion of R3
Anaesthesiology	5 years	For residents entering R4 from July 2019 onwards Pass Final M.Med(Anaesthesiology) or M.Med(Anaes) Part B Examination PD Certification of successful completion of R3
Cardiothoracic Surgery	6 years	Pass MRCS Successful completion of Surgery-In-General programme PD certification of successful completion of R3
Diagnostic Radiology	5 years	Pass FRCR 2A PD certification of successful completion of R3
Emergency Medicine	5 years	Pass M.Med (Emergency Medicine) or the Intermediate Examination in Emergency Medicine (IEEM) of the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine (HKCEM) PD certification of successful completion of R3 Note: Residents who pass the MCEM (MRCEM) before 1 January 2020 will still be eligible for progression to Senior Resident with PD’s certification.
General Surgery	5 years (AY 2024 and earlier intakes) 6 years (AY 2025 and subsequent intakes)	Pass M.Med Surgery (Viva) (For AY2024 and earlier intakes) Pass Primary MMed (Surg) / MHKICBSC examination (For AY2025 and subsequent intakes) Achieve at least a minimum rating of 5* (Competent) on Competency Assessment (*based on overall rating) PD certification of successful completion of R3
Hand Surgery	6 years	Pass MRCS Successful completion of Surgery-In-General programme PD certification of successful completion of R3
Neurosurgery	6 years	Pass MRCS Successful completion of Surgery-In-General programme PD certification of successful completion of R3
Obstetrics & Gynaecology	6 years	Pass M.Med (O&G) or MRCOG PD certification of successful completion of R4 with effect from 16 March 2018 for all O&G residents
Ophthalmology	5 years	Pass M.Med (Ophthalmology) PD certification of successful completion of R3
Orthopaedic Surgery	6 years	Pass MRCS and M.Med (Orthopaedic Surgery) exam PD certification of successful completion of R3
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)	5 years	Pass MRCS PD certification of successful completion of R3
Paediatric Medicine	6 years	For residents entering R4 in 2015 and after Pass M.Med (Paediatric Medicine) PD certification of successful completion of R3
Paediatric Surgery	6 years	Pass MRCS Successful completion of Surgery-In-General programme PD certification of successful completion of R3
Pathology (Anatomical)	5 years	For residents entering R1 from July 2019 onwards Pass FRCPath Part 1 PD certification of successful completion of R3 For residents entering R1 from AY2025 onwards Pass FRCPA Part 1 or FRCPath Part 1 PD certification of successful completion of R3
Pathology (Chemical)	5 years	Pass FRCPA Part 1 or FRCPath Part 1 PD certification of successful completion of R3
Pathology (Forensic)	5 years	Pass FRCPA Part 1 or FRCPath Part 1 PD certification of successful completion of R3
Pathology (Medical Microbiology)	5 years	Satisfactory attainment of requisite EPA entrustment levels in Year 3 PD certification of successful completion of R3
Plastic Surgery	6 years	Pass MRCS (For residents entering R4 from AY2021 onwards) Successful completion of enhancements of Workplace-Based Assessments (WBA) Successful completion of Surgery-In-General programme PD certification of successful completion of R3
Preventive Medicine	5 years	Completed and passed the Master of Public Health (MPH) or equivalent Portfolio Review and Endorsement by the Preventive Medicine Competency Committee (with effect from July 2021) PD certification of successful completion of R3
Psychiatry	5 years	Pass M.Med (Psychiatry) or MRCPsych (Parts 1-4) PD certification of successful completion of R3
Radiation Oncology	5 years	Pass FRANZCR Part 1 or FRCR Part 1 PD certification of successful completion of R3
Urology	6 years	Pass MRCS Successful completion of Surgery-In-General programme PD certification of successful completion of R3
[2] For those who sit for foreign exams (e.g. MRCS), the certification that the candidate has passed the specified exam must be sent directly from the certifying body to the JCST secretariat. Alternatively, the programmes should sight the original copy of the pass letter (hardcopy or downloaded directly from the examination body’s IT system), the email notification of exam results (saved in non-editable format) or the degree scroll, and submit the certified true copies (scanned copies are fine) to JCST for verification.
[3] Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Geriatric Medicine, Haematology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Oncology, Neurology, Nuclear Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology.

Geriatric Medicine (GRM) and/or General Medicine (GM) exposure for senior residents in Internal Medicine related specialties

The Specialists Accreditation Board (SAB) requires all Senior Residents in Internal Medicine-related specialties [1] to complete the mandatory 6 months of GM and /or GRM posting(s) during their 3 / 3.5 years of Senior Residency Training. These 6 months must be consistently done for 2 months per year in each of the three senior residency years and will be a documented requirement for exit certification by JCST before specialist accreditation by the SAB.

The requirements for General Medicine (GM) and Geriatric Medicine (GRM) postings effective from July 2014 are in the JCST Circular 110-13 and its Annex.

[1] These specialties include Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Haematology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Oncology, Neurology, Renal Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology