Requirements for GMC medical registration in the United Kingdom in 2026

Any doctor who wants to practise medicine in the United Kingdom, whether trained in the UK or overseas, must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold a licence to practise. Without this, a doctor cannot legally work in the NHS or private healthcare settings, prescribe medication, or use the title in a professional clinical role.

The process differs depending on where a doctor qualified and which route they use (UK graduate, EEA-recognised qualification, or international medical graduate via PLAB or an approved postgraduate qualification). This guide covers the documents and steps most applicants need, with notes on where requirements diverge.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

GMC registration is the legal process that confirms a doctor is qualified and fit to practise medicine in the UK. It applies to UK medical graduates starting provisional registration, overseas-qualified doctors seeking full registration, and doctors returning to practise after time away.

The General Medical Council (GMC) is the official body responsible for registration and for issuing the licence to practise, which is separate from registration itself but required to work unsupervised. Most overseas applicants also need to demonstrate knowledge of English and pass, or be exempt from, the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test, unless they hold a recognised postgraduate qualification that grants exemption.

Documents required

• Valid passport or national identity document (original, for identity verification)
• Primary medical qualification certificate (original, issued by your medical school)
• Certificate of good standing from every medical regulatory authority you have been registered with in the last five years, sent directly by that authority to the GMC
• Evidence of your PLAB test results or an accepted postgraduate qualification (for international medical graduates)
• English language evidence, such as IELTS Academic or OET results, or evidence of primary medical qualification taught and assessed in English
• Proof of your name, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll, if your name differs across documents
• Passport-style photograph meeting GMC specifications
• Evidence of your employment history, including any gaps, for the self-declaration section
• Where documents are not in English, a certified translation is required; translations must be done by a professional translator and accompanied by the original document
• Degree certificates issued outside the UK may need verification through ECFMG’s EPIC service if applicable to your qualifying institution

Steps to complete the procedure

1. Create an account on the GMC Online portal at the GMC’s official website and start the registration application appropriate to your route (provisional, full, or specialist/GP register).
2. Upload scanned copies of your documents and arrange for certificates of good standing to be sent directly from each regulator to the GMC.
3. Book and attend an identity and document verification appointment, usually at a GMC office or an approved partner location; this is mandatory before registration is finalised and should be scheduled once your application is submitted.
4. If required, sit the PLAB test (Part 1 is a written exam booked via GMC Online; Part 2 is a clinical assessment at a dedicated PLAB centre).
5. Pay the registration fee and submit the application for the GMC to review.
6. Once approved, apply separately for your licence to practise, which is usually processed alongside registration for most applicants.

Most of this process is completed online, with only the identity check requiring an in-person appointment. End-to-end, applicants should allow several weeks from document submission to confirmed registration.

Fees and timelines

• Registration fee: currently in the region of £420 for full registration with a licence to practise (fees are reviewed periodically, so check the current figure before applying)
• PLAB Part 1 fee: separate cost, payable when booking
• PLAB Part 2 fee: separate and higher cost, payable when booking a test centre slot
• Processing time: typically a few weeks once all documents and certificates of good standing are received, though delays are common if a regulator is slow to respond
• Annual retention fee: registered doctors pay an annual fee to keep their registration active, separate from the initial registration fee
• Validity: registration does not expire but lapses if the annual retention fee is not paid, requiring reinstatement

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Requesting certificates of good standing too late — these must come directly from the regulator and can take weeks to arrive
• Submitting translations that are not certified or not paired with the original document
• Booking the identity verification appointment before all required documents are ready, causing delays or rescheduling
• Assuming English language evidence is automatically accepted without checking the GMC’s current list of accepted tests and score thresholds
• Overlooking employment gaps in the self-declaration, which can trigger further questions and slow the application

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to take PLAB if I qualified outside the UK? Most international medical graduates need to pass PLAB unless they hold a postgraduate qualification recognised by the GMC as an alternative route to registration.

Can I complete the whole application online? Most of the application, including document uploads and payment, is done through GMC Online, but the identity verification step requires an in-person appointment.

How long does a certificate of good standing take to arrive? This varies by country and regulator; some take only days, others several weeks, so request them as early as possible in the process.

Is registration the same as a licence to practise? No. Registration confirms your qualifications are recognised, while the licence to practise is what legally allows you to work unsupervised in the UK; most applicants apply for both together.

What happens if I don’t pay the annual retention fee? Your registration lapses, meaning you can no longer practise until you pay the fee and go through a reinstatement process.

Summary and next steps

The core documents are your primary medical qualification certificate, certificates of good standing, identity document, and English language evidence. Start by creating a GMC Online account and requesting certificates of good standing early, since these often take the longest to arrive.

Requirements and fees can change, so always verify current details directly with the General Medical Council before submitting your application.