Documents needed for GMC Registration Application

If you’re planning to apply for GMC (General Medical Council) registration or have already passed PLAB 2, congratulations! This article will guide you on the essential documents needed for your GMC registration application.

Required documents for GMC registration

Your passport(s): Ensure you have a valid passport for identification purposes.

PMQ (MBBS or equivalent) certificate: This certificate must already be EPIC verified or sent for verification.

Evidence of your English language proficiency: This can be in the form of an IELTS or OET (Occupational English Test) Test Report Form.

Documents related to your internship

• The Internship completion certificate.
• A letter from your medical regulatory board stating that your internship was under provisional registration and was accepted.
• Evidence of fitness to practice: This includes a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) from all the countries where you’ve worked or held registration.

Employer References (GEN 1 Form): You’ll need to provide a GEN1 employer reference form for any periods of non-medical work completed in the last five years or for any periods of medical work for which you did not hold any registration during the last five years.

Certificate of Good Standing (CGS): The CGS is issued by your current medical regulatory board or council where you are fully registered.

Each medical regulatory authority you have been registered or licensed with in the last five years must provide a CGS, even if you have not worked there. The CGS should confirm that you are entitled to practice medicine, that you have not been disqualified or suspended, and that the regulatory authority is not aware of any matters that question your good standing.

Letter of Approval for your Internship

This letter is crucial for obtaining full registration with a license to practice. While you may not need it if your internship completion certificate mentions holding provisional registration, some applicants still receive requests from the GMC for this letter. Your medical council may not issue this letter, or they may have their own format.

Certificate of Completion of Internship/House Job

Different medical colleges and universities provide different formats of this certificate. To meet GMC’s criteria, your internship must have been undertaken in a resident medical capacity in approved posts, signed by the medical superintendent or consultant who supervised your internship.

Employer Reference (GEN 1 Form)

You’ll need to provide a GEN1 employer reference form for periods of non-medical work completed in the last five years or for periods of medical work for which you did not hold any registration in the last five years. GMC will determine this from the past professional experience section of your application.

While these are the basic documents required for GMC registration, keep in mind that each applicant’s case is unique. GMC will send you a list of specific documents they need from you after you make your application through your GMC online account. You may have to send them scanned copies of the documents via email or by post upon their request.

When do you need the ORIGINAL documents in the UK?

With the introduction of GMC’s EPIC verification and the elimination of a separate ID check appointment, you might not need to provide the original documents in the UK, especially if you’re taking the PLAB route. However, some doctors have reported that GMC may request the original documents by mail. It’s advisable to have them ready just in case.

Typically, you’ll need to email these documents to GMC after you have:

Successfully passed the PLAB exams.

Applied for GMC registration online through GMC Online.

Even if it seems like a long way off, time tends to fly by, so it’s a good idea to be prepared with these essential documents for your GMC registration application.

When should I apply for the papers from my medical council?

If your medical council offers to send the required documents directly to GMC, that’s a convenient option. It can save you time, anxiety, and expenses associated with sending documents from the UK. Importantly, the Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) is only valid for three months from the date it is issued and must remain valid on the date your GMC application is approved.

Here’s a breakdown of when to apply:

Apply for these papers from your medical council in your home country, even in the UK for your PLAB 2 exam.

These papers are typically signed, ready, and dated around 3-4 days to a week from the application date.

Consider that you’ll be in the UK for PLAB 2, followed by a course, exam preparation, the PLAB 2 exam itself, and waiting for the result. This whole process can take 3-4 months, making the CGS more than 3 months old.

To bypass the 3-month limit and ensure that your CGS remains valid, consider having someone apply for these papers on your behalf while you are in the UK. Discuss this with your medical council to address your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to collect from the medical jobs I did? Any employment certificates?

No, you don’t need separate employment certificates from each employer. The Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) from the medical council covers all the medical work you did in that country.

I’m not fully registered with any medical council!

If you’re not fully registered, GMC will understand your situation. They’ll require an official letter from your medical council stating that you held provisional registration but aren’t fully registered with them.

I never held provisional registration with any medical council. What should I do?

If you’re sure you never held provisional registration, GMC may request alternative evidence to support your application.

Was my work experience medical or non-medical?

You should know the nature of your work better than anyone. If your job involved direct patient care and contact, it’s considered medical work. Non-medical work includes roles like lecturing in anatomy or conducting lab research.

Does GMC accept any Letters of Recommendation (LOR)?

No, GMC provides its own forms for references, which you should use.

My employer or consultant doesn’t have an official email. What should I do?

If available, you can try sending the reference from the institution’s official email. If that’s not an option, contact GMC to explore alternatives, such as fax or postal mail.

What should I do if I have clinical gaps or breaks in my practice?

For guidance on handling clinical gaps or breaks in your practice, please refer to more Articles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the documents mentioned here are the basics required for GMC registration, it’s essential to note that each case is unique. GMC will specify the documents they need from you after you submit your application through your GMC online account. Be prepared to send scanned copies of these documents as email attachments or by post when requested.

Always remember that honesty is the best policy during the application process. If you have any questions or face challenges, don’t lose hope. GMC’s application handlers are professional and friendly, and they are there to assist you. Good luck with your GMC registration application!