Registration with the GMC

Registration with the General Medical Council

To take up an approved training post, you must be registered with the GMC, and this registration may be Full or Limited Registration. Limited Registration refers to the fact that the period of the registration is limited, usually to one year. Limited Registration may be renewable. There are a number of ways that registration may be obtained:

  1. The usual method of obtaining registration is by taking and passing the GMC's PLAB test, which is a test of professional knowledge and competence and also of English, and is held at various centres in the UK and overseas;
  2. or by providing other objective evidence of your capability for practice in the UK, for example evidence of sponsorship by a Royal College/Faculty under arrangements approved by the GMC;
  3. or evidence of completion of basic specialist training to the satisfaction of an appropriate UK postgraduate training body.

You must in addition satisfy the GMC that you are of good character. Before limited registration may be granted for the first time, the doctor must have been selected for employment in an approved training post/hospital/institution in the UK.

  1. Doctors who hold qualifications granted in other member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) or are nationals of a member state are eligible for full registration (see GMC website)

Faculty Sponsorship Scheme

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