United Kingdom
The General Medical Council (GMC) registers doctors in the United Kingdom. Internationally trained doctors normally reach registration through the UKMLA, delivered as PLAB Part 1 and the PLAB 2 Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment.
Specialist and GP registration is a separate process, run through the Portfolio Pathway — and it is the route most established specialists actually need.
Your pathway
- Check eligibility
- Pass the licensing exam
- Register with the authority
- Specialty or board exam
Exams and products
PLAB — Route to GMC Registration
Portfolio Pathway — Specialist Registration
MRCP — Internal Medicine
MRCS — Surgery
MRCPCH — Paediatrics
MRCOG — Obstetrics & Gynaecology
ESEGH — Gastroenterology
Intercollegiate Specialty Examination — Paediatric Surgery
Language requirements
Most authorities ask for an English test. Germany asks for German.
One thing worth knowing before you choose. Full PLAB opens more than the UK. Ireland exempts PLAB Part 2 holders from its PRES examinations entirely, and New Zealand accepts full PLAB as a direct alternative to NZREX Clinical. The recognition does not run the other way — the GMC does not recognise Ireland's PRES for UK registration.