Entry onto the Specialist Register with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) or entry onto the GP Register with a Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration (CEGPR) through the combined programme

This section provides information about entry onto the Specialist Register with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) or entry onto the GP Register with a Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration (CEGPR) through the combined programme.

The combined programme is a route to entry onto the Specialist Register or GP Register, designed for doctors who have completed an approved* specialty training programme but have undertaken some training in unapproved posts before they were appointed to their approved specialty training programme.

The GMC both quality assures approved specialty training programmes and assesses the previous training of all trainees appointed to an approved programme. Therefore applications for entry onto the Specialist Register or GP Register through the combined programme follow the same process as those for entry onto the Specialist Register or GP Register with a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

However, as CCT can only be awarded to applicants who have completed a fully approved specialty training programme, successful applicants through the combined programme will be granted entry onto the Specialist Register and issued a CESR or granted entry on the GP Register and issued a CEGPR.

There may be a small number of doctors who complete an approved specialty training programme having undertaken part of their training in unapproved posts prior to appointment, who are not eligible to apply through the combined programme and must complete an application through the specialty equivalence route. If you are unsure whether you are eligible to apply through the combined programme, please contact us.

Background

Since the introduction of run-through specialty training in August 2007 a number of trainees have been appointed part-way through specialty training programmes above ST1 level. If the training that a doctor undertook prior to entry onto the specialty training programme was in posts not approved* for training in their specialty, then they are not eligible for the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). Certification through the Combined Programme for entry onto the Specialist Register or GP Register is for these doctors.

The eligible applicants will have been appointed in open competition against job descriptions and person specifications approved by Royal Colleges or Faculties and through an appointment system that includes Royal College or Faculty representation. From their point of entry onto specialty training they will:

• follow a GMC approved* specialty CCT curricula
• be required to pass Royal College or Faculty defined, GMC approved assessments for their specialty
• have their progress reviewed through the deanery annual review of competence progression (ARCP) processes
• be assessed identically to CCT trainees, including a final assessment that shows they have successfully achieved the same competencies as a CCT trainee

During the final year of training the Royal College or Faculty will notify the GMC that a trainee is due to complete their training. The GMC will contact the trainee and invite them to apply for entry to the Specialist Register or the GP Register.

Following successful completion, the GMC will receive a recommendation from the relevant Royal College or Faculty and, subject to final assessment, entry onto the Specialist Register or GP Register will be granted.

*Approved by one of the following organisations

Period	Organisation
Before September 2005 (for specialists)	The relevant medical Royal College or Faculty
Before September 2005 (for GPs)	The Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP)
Between September 2005 and March 2010	Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB)**
From April 2010	The GMC
**Before 31 July 2007	Some training posts that were completed before 31 December 2006 may have been approved retrospectively by the Royal College or Faculty for that specialty (including General Practice). This approval will have been granted before 31 July 2007 and the doctor will have written confirmation from the Royal College or Faculty confirming this.

Read frequently asked questions for doctors about the Combined Programme

Read about how to apply in our applications section