GMC Registration: A Guide to Recognised Postgraduate Qualifications
To register with the General Medical Council (GMC), applicants must demonstrate that they possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to practise medicine in the UK.
This document outlines the postgraduate qualifications recognised as acceptable for GMC registration.
PLAB Examination
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam is a two-part test designed to assess whether doctors trained abroad have the necessary knowledge and skills to practise in the UK.
The PLAB exam ensures that candidates meet the same standards as a doctor completing their second year of foundation training in the UK.
While it is commonly taken by junior doctors, the PLAB exam is also open to senior doctors with substantial experience in their specialties.
Recognised UK Postgraduate Qualifications
Doctors trained overseas can apply for full GMC registration with a licence to practise by obtaining a recognised postgraduate qualification from a UK Medical Royal College.
Some recognised UK qualifications include:
Medicine (Including Medical Specialties)
- Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP UK)
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP London, Edinburgh, or Glasgow)
Surgery
- Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS England, Edinburgh, or Glasgow)
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS England, Edinburgh, or Glasgow)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG UK)
Paediatrics
- Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH UK)
Anaesthetics
- Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA)
- Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of Ireland (FCAI)
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA UK)
Ophthalmology
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth UK)
- Membership of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (MRCOphth)
Psychiatry
- Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych UK)
Radiology
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR UK)
Pathology
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath UK)
For a complete list of acceptable UK postgraduate qualifications, refer to the GMC website.
Accepted Overseas Postgraduate Qualifications
Certain overseas postgraduate qualifications are recognised as meeting the GMC’s standards. These qualifications are accepted as evidence of a doctor’s ability to apply for full registration with a licence to practise.
Examples of recognised overseas qualifications include:
- Certificate of the American Board of Anaesthesiology (USA)
- Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (Australia/New Zealand)
- Fellowship of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (Canada)
Consult the GMC website for a detailed list of acceptable qualifications from various countries.
How to Verify Qualifications
Applicants must verify their postgraduate qualifications as part of the GMC registration process.
This involves submitting documentation to confirm the authenticity and relevance of the qualification to the GMC’s requirements.
Verification procedures vary depending on the awarding institution and qualification type.
