Certificates of proof of entry on the register

This certificate shows that, at the time it was issued, the named doctor held the registration status shown on the certificate.

It is not proof of identity.

It does not guarantee that this doctor's status on the register has not changed. You can check this doctor's status on the register, and find up to date details of this doctor's eligibility to practise medicine in the UK, on our online register.

By law all UK and International Medical Graduate doctors granted full registration for the first time, or returning to the register after a prolonged period out of UK practice, are required to work initially within an approved practice setting.

From 3 December 2012, all UK and International Medical Graduate doctors joining the register for the first time, and all doctors returning to the register after a prolonged period out of UK practice, are restricted to practising only in an Approved Practice Setting (APS). We automatically remove this restriction from a doctor’s registration when they are revalidated for the first time after joining, or returning to, the register.

UK and International Medical Gradate Doctors who joined or restored to the register before 3 December 2012 must complete 12 months' practice in an approved practice setting (APS). For the GMC to remove reference to that restriction from their entry on the register a doctor must notify the GMC that they have completed 12 months' practice in an APS. Or, they can wait until we automatically remove reference to that restriction from their entry on the register when they are revalidated.

A list of organisations with approved practice setting status can be found on our website.

Doctors should go to our APS page to see how APS restrictions apply to them.