Explore the different types of General Medical Council (GMC) registration and the evidence you will need to apply with Dr Rob Hendry, Medical Director of Medical Protection.

This article was written in April 2022 and gives an overview of the registration process for IMGs at this time, but we know the process is under review and that the GMC are working to simplify the process.

We will update this page as soon as the new process is clear, but in the meantime, it is important to be aware that the process will be changing and the GMC website will be the most up to date source of information.

Types of GMC membership

To work in the UK as a doctor you must be registered with the General Medical Council, usually referred to as the GMC. There are no exceptions to this – it is essential. There are four types of GMC registration:

1. Provisional registration – this is for graduates who have finished university but do not have internship/foundation experience.

2. Full registration – This is for graduates who have also completed foundation year 1 training. In the UK this is known as FY1; you may know this as an ‘internship’ or ‘house job’.

3. General Practitioner (GP) registration – GPs in the UK are family and community medicine specialists with five years’ postgraduate training. To be included on the GP register, doctors must complete the two-year Foundation Programme (or equivalent) and the three-year GP training programme in general practice (or equivalent). In other countries, this is usually equivalent to family medicine training.

4. Specialist registration – Doctors on the specialist register are those that have completed UK postgraduate specialty training through a GMC-approved training programme (or equivalent).

The type of registration you have dictates the jobs you can apply for. The majority of IMGs finish internship overseas and apply for full registration which can be used to work in both training and non-training jobs, but not as a specialist consultant or GP.

Provisional registration can only be used to go into foundation training.

Direct GP/specialist registration is difficult if you haven’t worked in the UK for some time and completed your specialist training here.  It is possible but it is a longer process than full registration. Many IMGs choose to start their work in the UK in a non-specialist role on full registration and to apply for specialist registration once already in the UK and working.

The GMC registration application finder is an online tool you can use to find out which route into registration is the right one for you. This tool will provide a guide that is specific to your circumstances, explaining how to apply and what evidence you will need to support your application.

Most doctors who come to the UK join the GMC on full registration. The process involves supplying a lot of information but once the GMC have everything they need, they aim to make an initial assessment within five days. If further information is required, you will want to act on this as quickly as possible as the whole process must complete within three months or some of your evidence will expire and need resupplying.

Preparing to apply

Preparation is key. Below is a high-level guide to the evidence you will need to supply to apply for full registration and some tools to help you do that.

Area 1 – Evidence your qualifications

You will need to show that your primary qualification is from a school the GMC accepts. These include all schools listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.  If your school isn’t in the World Directory then you may still be accepted; the GMC also maintain a list of schools they will consider from outside the world directory. Schools the GMC may accept.

Area 2 – Evidence your level of practical experience

To evidence your practical experience for full GMC registration you will need a certificate or letter of completion of your internship from your institution, which gives details of the dates and specialties of your rotations. If you didn't complete an internship, the GMC will accept evidence that you practised for two years continuously after you graduated. A letter from the hospital on letter headed paper, which gives details of the dates and specialties of your practice, will be good evidence for this.

Area 3 - Evidence your knowledge of English language

You must demonstrate your knowledge of English using either an acceptable IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET) certificate. There are minimum scores requirements: you can check the details of this on the GMC website. If you are a national of a country where English is the first and native language, and you were awarded your primary medical degree from a country where English is the first and native language, then you will not need the IRLT or OET. The GMC provide a list of these countries.

Area 4 – Your passport

You will need to attend an in-person identity check: you must have your passport with you at this appointment.

Area 5 – Evidence your good standing

You'll need to supply a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority you've been registered or licensed with in the last five years. You'll need to do this even if you've not worked in that country. Don’t try to get these certificates before you are ready to apply, because each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it's signed. It must be valid when the GMC approve your application.

Area 6 – Evidence of your activities for the last five years

This needs to cover clinical practice, but also time away, for example study leave, maternity leave, vacations, career breaks and unemployment.

Area 7 – Declaring your fitness to practise

As part of your application, you will be asked ten  questions about your health and fitness to practise medicine.

Before you answer the questions, use the 'What to tell us when you apply' tool on the GMC website to help you prepare. If you need help on a specific question, the guide ' can be helpful.

Once you have gathered all the information you need, this will then need collating into a document in PDF format. You will complete an online application and then email in your evidence. You will need to pay when you apply online; current registration fees can be found on the GMC website.

Other tools, resources and support

This diagram shows the application process.

GMC registration can feel complicated, especially if you apply for specialist or GP registration. IMG support groups can help with advice and support though the process. Here are a couple of groups we know have helped lots of IMGs make a successful move to the UK:

The Savvy IMG guide to GMC registration: https://thesavvyimg.co.uk/category/gmc-registration/

Join the Facebook group IMGs in the UK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IMGs.in.the.UK

About the author

Rob Hendry is Medical Director at Medical Protection, working with members around the world. He has a particular interest in supporting doctors who move between different countries and has championed Medical Protection’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy.