The routes to registration with the GMC are varied and will depend on your nationality, qualifications and experience.

Provisional Registration

UK Graduates

The purpose of provisional registration is to allow you to complete an UK approved FY1 training programme.
Once you have successfully completed the programme you can apply for full registration.

You can also in certain circumstances work in a locum appointment for training [LAT] post.

The time limit for holding provisional registration is 3 years and 30 days but in limited circumstances can be extended.

You can undertake your foundation training overseas if this is supported by your medical school.

If the overseas training is not supported and pre-approved by your medical school, you will not automatically be eligible for full registration. Your experience can be considered, but at the Registrar’s discretion.

Provisional Registration

EEA Graduates

You can apply for provisional registration if you are a national of an EEA state or Switzerland or if you have enforceable community rights
And
If you graduated from a medical school in the EEA or Switzerland.

Provisional Registration

International Graduates

You can apply for provisional registration if you are national of a country outside the UK, EEA and Switzerland and graduated from a medical school outside the UK
Or
Are a UK national who has graduated from a medical school outside the UK, EEA or Switzerland
And
You do not have enforceable community rights
And
You have passed both parts of the Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board [PLAB] test within the last 2 years

PLAB 1

A 3-hour written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions.
The exam covers common important or acute conditions see by trainees during FY2 and long-term conditions seen in primary care

PLAB 2

An objective structured clinical examination [OSCE]
18 scenarios of 8 minutes duration reflecting real life setting such as mock consultation or an acute ward.

Application for Full Registration with a Licence to Practise

UK Doctors

Full registration allows you to move to an FY2 approved training programme and work unsupervised in medical practice in the NHS or UK private practice
You will also have to make declarations about your fitness to practise

EU Doctors

You can apply if you are a national of an EEA country or Switzerland or you have enforceable community rights
And
You have graduated from a medical school inside or outside an EEA country or Switzerland
And
You have completed first year foundation training

International Doctors

You can apply if you are a national of a country outside the UK, EEA or Switzerland
Or
A UK national and graduated from a medical school outside the UK, EEA or Switzerland
And
You do not have enforceable community rights
And
You have completed an internship in the UK

Internships

12 months of continual medical practise

In the first year you can take up to 5 weeks annual leave and must not be absent for more than 20 days
After the first year, any break before you return to medical practice must be no more than 12 months and be authorised by the organisation employing you or overseeing the internship.
If you’ve completed 12-18 months, you must have spent at least three months practising in medicine and three months practising in surgery.
If you’ve completed 18 months or longer, you must have spent at least six months practising in medicine and six months practising in surgery.
Must be an approved training post – honorary posts are not acceptable
Must have regular educational and clinical supervision throughout

The GMC will however review all applications on their own merits and often applications are refused simply because the doctor has not clearly explained their position or because the evidence provided by the doctor in support of their application is not robust.

If you are considering an application for provisional or full registration and are confused or daunted by what is required, we can help

We have helped many doctors achieve registration with the GMC. If you seek engage our help early, if can often mean a successful application first time and without having to appeal a refusal.