Registration with The GMC:

• It is a legal requirement to hold registration with the GMC to undertake clinical duties
• The applicant must be able to provide the GMC with evidence of capability to practice
• The applicant must have passed the academic module International English Language Test System (IELTS) score greater than 7.0 in each of four parts, reading, writing, listening and speaking.  IELTS results are valid for 2 years from the test date

See IELTS information (GMC)

Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board Examination (PLAB):

The PLAB test aims to secure that overseas qualified doctors attending patients have appropriate standards of conical knowledge and ability to communicate in English. Doctors with qualifications accepted by the GMC and who have completed a 12-month internship acceptable to the country where they qualified may take the test and, on passing, be granted limited registration to work in the NHS.

See PLAB information sheet (GMC)

Alternative Routes to Registration:

There are other ways to provide the GMC with evidence of capability to practice, but you must still pass the IELTS exam.

Completion of Basic Specialist Qualification:

This is often referred to as a 'certificate of equivalency' in surgery, and means that you have completed basic surgical training and are eligible to start higher surgical training.  this means that you have passed either the old Collegiate MRCS or the FRCSI.  There is currently no mechanism in place to assess overseas training.

Sponsorship:

Many of the Royal Colleges and certain University Hospitals have sponsorship agreements with the GMC. You should visit the individual Colleges' websites for details of their current programme.

See PLAB exemption (GMC)