BACKGROUND: Structured training programs for robotic colorectal surgery are limited with concerns about surgical outcomes and operating times. OBJECTIVE: To compare perioperative and oncological outcomes of robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer performed by expert consultants and surgical trainees in a modular surgical training program. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: Conducted at a colorectal training referral center for robotic surgery. PATIENTS: Consecutive robotic total mesorectal excision cases between May 2013 and December 2017 were evaluated retrospectively from a prospectively maintained institutional database and divided into two groups: Group I: expert surgeons; Group II: supervised trainees. Robotic total mesorectal excision training modules (five modules) were performed stepwise with increasing complexity. Demographic, perioperative, and oncological data were collected. INTERVENTIONS: Modular robotic training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparable R0 resection rate, lymph node harvest, and oncological outcomes between experts and trainees suggesting good quality in oncological resection. RESULTS: A total of 177 robotic total mesorectal excision resections were performed (Group I: n = 80, Group II: n = 97). Four trainees completed 37.5 modules each. Age, sex, and BMI were similar between groups. Group II had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists III score (6.3% vs 25.8%, p = 0.002). Clinical TNM and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy rates were similar. Group II had longer operative time (225 [197.5-297.5] vs 250 [230-300] minutes, p = 0.004). No conversion occurred. There were no differences in intra or postoperative outcomes between groups. Rate of R0 resection and the number of harvested lymph nodes were also similar between groups. Median follow-up was 75 (64.0-81.7) and 47 (38.0-55.0) months, respectively. Local and distant recurrence rates, 5-year overall survival (81.1% Group I vs. 81.3% Group II, p = 0.832) and 5-year disease-free survival (79.7% Group I vs. 80.7% Group II, p = 0.725) were similar between groups. LIMITATIONS: The groups operated in two consecutive periods. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic total mesorectal excision modular surgical training program maximizes training experience without significantly affecting the perioperative and oncological outcomes of rectal cancer patients. See Video Abstract.