The licensing of surgeons by RCS England and its predecessors

Abstract

This article originally appeared in the print version of this issue. An online-only extended version can be found at https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/full/10.1308/rcsbull.2021.55 . Preserved records suggest that the first licences to practise surgery in England and Wales were issued by craft guilds from the 14th century and probably earlier. A brief chronicle is presented of the training, examining, qualifying and licensing of surgeons by The Royal College of Surgeons of England and its direct predecessors, now a part of history. The context in which these organisations were founded and evolved is outlined along a timeline of almost 700 years. The landmark Medical Acts of 1858 and 1886 are briefly reviewed. Mention is also made of the abolition of the two non-university qualifying examinations that were still being offered in England at the end of the 20th century and of the sale of both jointly owned Examination Halls.