Many of you have undoubtedly heard the news put out by the General Medical Council (GMC) of the UK that they will be accepting USMLE, MCCQE, and AMC pass results for the consideration of full registration. This would then allow these individuals to work in the UK as doctors. So let’s see what this entails.

GMC Registration via USMLE

If you have passed Step 2 CS on or before March 13th, 2020, and also passed Step 1 and Step 2 CK (at any time) you can think about applying for GMC registration in order to work as a doctor in the UK. Please note that you must not have graduated from a medical college in the UK or Switzerland.

A confirmation email from GMC that other steps can be done at any time!

Now, what would this all require you to do? You’d still need to meet the criteria that GMC has set out for all of its applicants in that if you wish to obtain FULL registration, you would need to complete an acceptable pattern of the internship.

Wondering what an acceptable pattern of internship looks like? Check out our article on internship criteria.

English Requirements for GMC Registration

If you don’t know already, GMC also requires that you prove your English language proficiency either by IELTS or by OET. This would be required at the time you submit your application for GMC registration. The IELTS/OET score requirement is the same for you as it would be for someone applying via the other routes of GMC registration.

For IELTS, you must have a minimum of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in all four modules (listening, reading, writing and speaking). So, if you got 8 overall but in writing, you got 6.5- you’re not eligible.

For OET, you will need to get a ‘B’ in each module of the exam (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) in order to be considered eligible in the eyes of the GMC.

So how can I apply for GMC registration with USMLE?

Curious about PLAB vs USMLE? Check out our extensive guidance video comparing the two exams!

GMC Registration via MCCQE

If you’ve completed Canadian MCCQE 2 in English on or before October 27th, 2020, you can think about applying for GMC registration in order to work as a doctor in the UK. Please note that you must not have graduated from a medical college in the UK or Switzerland.

Now, what would this all require you to do? You’d still need to meet the criteria that GMC has set out for all of its applicants in that if you wish to obtain FULL registration, you would need to complete an acceptable pattern of the internship.

Wondering what an acceptable pattern of internship looks like? Check out our article on internship criteria.

English Requirements for GMC Registration

If you don’t know already, GMC also requires that you prove your English language proficiency either by IELTS or by OET. This would be required at the time you submit your application for GMC registration. The IELTS/OET score requirement is the same for you as it would be for someone applying via the other routes of GMC registration.

For IELTS, you must have a minimum of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in all four modules (listening, reading, writing and speaking). So, if you got 8 overall but in writing, you got 6.5- you’re not eligible.

For OET, you will need to get a ‘B’ in each module of the exam (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) in order to be considered eligible in the eyes of the GMC.

So how can I apply for GMC registration with MCCQE?

GMC Registration via AMC

If you’ve passed the AMC Clinical Examination on or before March 5th, 2020, you can think about applying for GMC registration in order to work as a doctor in the UK. Please note that you must not have graduated from a medical college in the UK or Switzerland.

Now, what would this all require you to do? You’d still need to meet the criteria that GMC has set out for all of its applicants in that if you wish to obtain FULL registration, you would need to complete an acceptable pattern of the internship.

Wondering what an acceptable pattern of internship looks like? Check out our article on internship criteria.

English Requirements for GMC Registration

If you don’t know already, GMC also requires that you prove your English language proficiency either by IELTS or by OET. This would be required at the time you submit your application for GMC registration. The IELTS/OET score requirement is the same for you as it would be for someone applying via the other routes of GMC registration.

For IELTS, you must have a minimum of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in all four modules (listening, reading, writing and speaking). So, if you got 8 overall but in writing, you got 6.5- you’re not eligible.

For OET, you will need to get a ‘B’ in each module of the exam (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) in order to be considered eligible in the eyes of the GMC.

So how can I apply for GMC registration via AMC?

Application form for applying for GMC registration via USMLE, MCCQE and AMC

Along with the application form (for which you will have to email img@gmc-uk.org), as a minimum, you will need to submit the following documents as copies via email.

  • Your passport
  • Your primary medical qualification
  • Evidence of passing an acceptable overseas registration exam
  • Evidence of English language capability
  • Certificates of Good Standing for every medical regulatory authority with whom you have held registration in
    the last five years
  • Translations of any documents that are not in English (we can only accept translations made by an official
    translator)

You will need the following information to fill up the application form:

Your Personal Details

  • GMC Reference Number: You should have one if you have opened a GMC Online account. Otherwise, do not worry, GMC will provide you with one after receiving this application.
  • Your name, DoB and gender: You know it, right?

Your Contact Details

  • Full Address: It does NOT have to be a UK address. Give one address that you can be mailed if need be.
  • Email: That will be the main form of communication.

Your Nationality & Passport details

If you have dual/multiple nationalities, please use the one that you want to be registered with. Nationality does not matter anymore for GMC registration. If you had pursued medical school with one nationality and want to get registered with GMC with another nationality, there is no harm in that at all.

You will have to provide a copy of your passport with this application form.

Refugee Status

If you are a refugee doctor and have any of the letters below from the UK home office you will have to submit that as well:

  • Refugee status and I am recognised as a refugee under the 1951 UN convention
  • Indefinite leave to remain in the UK (with refugee status)
  • Indefinite leave to enter (with refugee status)
  • Exceptional leave to remain in the UK (granted prior to 1 April 2003)
    Humanitarian leave to remain (Also known as humanitarian protection. Granted on or after 1 April
    2003)
  • Discretionary leave to remain (With no restrictions on working, granted on or after 1 April 2003)

Route to Registration

For the exam pass date, if you are applying via the USMLE route, use the pass date for Step 2 CS. And for other routes, it will be AMC Clinical Examination and MCCQE 2.

If you already have a job offer… Yes! you can have a job offer without having GMC registration if a trust has expressed that they want to hire you.

English Language Declaration

Choose whichever option is applicable for you from the list in the form. If you choose IELTS/OET, you have to submit the test report form along with this application.

Your primary medical qualification

You will have to submit your final medical diploma (of not in English, a notarized translation) and also you have to get it EPIC verified. Read more here – EPIC verification for GMC Registration.

Internship Details

You need an acceptable pattern of Internship in order to be eligible for FULL GMC registration. If you have not done any internship at all, GMC might offer you provisional registration, with which you can only do UKFPO foundation training in the UK to start with.

If you want to know more in detail about different types of GMC registration, please check out this video:

Details of your experience for the last five years

You must include the following information:

  • All periods in the last five years where you were engaged in medical practice
  • All periods in the last five years when you were not engaged in medical practice including, alternative employment, clinical attachments, vacation, study leave, maternity leave, career break or unemployment.

So you have to be very thorough. In this part of the application, a lot of IMGs have MANY questions and the best way to tackle it is well described here – How to apply for GMC Registration.

Your registration or licensing history

If you were not registered as a doctor with any medical regulatory authority in the last five years (which will be evident from the details of your work experience) then you can keep this blank. Otherwise, fill them with appropriate information.

Rest of the application

Your diversity details, religion and belief, fitness to practice and final declaration – please read through the form and answer appropriately.

What happens next?

You send this application along with the documents mentioned back to the img@gmc-uk.org email and await their response. If they need further information, they will ask you and you should provide them accordingly. If your circumstances change, you should let them know as soon as you can.

PLEASE NOTE!

If you’ve passed the clinical skills exam more than two years ago, you will need to have been involved in medical work in three out of the last five years. On top of this, you must be working for the last six months preceding your application. If you don’t meet this criteria, you WILL NOT be eligible for GMC registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my college is not listed on GMC?

There is a chance that when you go to open your GMC online account, you may realize your college is not listed. Never fear, there is an easy process to get it listed.

Can I apply for this route if I have taken PLAB?

If you’ve taken USMLE, MCCQE, or AMC and then taken and failed PLAB, you cannot apply via this route.

Will I get full GMC registration?

You will be eligible to apply for full GMC registration if you’ve completed an acceptable pattern of internship. If you have not, you will be granted provisional registration.

What is provisional registration?

With provisional registration, you cannot apply for anything in the UK aside from the UK Foundation Program (UKFP). This is the internship equivalent you must complete in order to get full GMC registration.

I’m still confused! What job is right for me after GMC registration?

We’ve discussed your options in this video comparing UKFP, standalone jobs, and non training jobs.

What is the salary of a UK doctor?

The salary is heavily dependent on the hours you work and the level you work at. Please check out our article on a doctor’s pay in the UK to know more.

What are the working hours doctors in the UK?

UK doctors are well-supported and protected by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). To better understand what this means, please see our article on working hours/rota for UK doctors or check out our video.

How do I enter specialty training in the UK?

The UK has a system of non training and training jobs that you may find confusing. Luckily, we’ve talked about the process in our overview of specialty training.

Will I face any restrictions as a foreign graduate?

No. The UK has removed all restrictions placed on foreign/international medical graduates, which means you can apply alongside UK graduates. You are judged based on your merit, not your nationality.

Please note that this development is relatively new, and while we have spoken to GMC to better understand the process and how to go about it, it’s always a good idea to confirm with GMC if you have any concerns. We will update this post as and when more information is available.

Good luck!