Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

How the alternative evidence of English language changes might affect you

Please click on a scenario below to see how the change may affect you:

  1. 1. I have obtained the required IELTS scores and have applied, or intend to apply, for registration before 1 February 2011
  2. 2. I have not taken IELTS before and have applied, or intend to apply, for registration or to sit Part 1 of the PLAB test, before 1 February 2011 and have demonstrated, or will demonstrate, my knowledge of English through my primary medical qualification which was awarded1 less than 12 months before my application
  3. 3. I have not taken IELTS before and have applied, or intend to apply, for registration or to sit Part 1 of the PLAB test, before 1 February 2011 and have demonstrated, or will demonstrate, my knowledge of English through my primary medical qualification which was awarded1 more than 12 months before my application
  4. 4. I have requested, or intend to request before 1 February 2011, that the validity of my IELTS scores is extended on the basis of my postgraduate qualification
  5. 5. I have requested, or intend to request before 1 February 2011, that the validity of my IELTS scores is extended on the basis of employment in a country where English is the first and native language

 

1. I have obtained the required IELTS scores and have applied, or intend to apply, for registration before 1 February 2011

The changes do not affect you. You do not need to take any action.

2. I have not taken IELTS before and have applied, or intend to apply, for registration or to sit Part 1 of the PLAB test, before 1 February 2011 and have demonstrated, or will demonstrate, my knowledge of English through my primary medical qualification which was awarded1 less than 12 months before my application.

The changes will not affect you if before 1 February 2011 you have:

  • Applied for registration.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 1 test place.
  • Passed PLAB 1.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 2 test place.
  • Passed PLAB 2.

However, the changes will affect you if:

  • You change a PLAB Part 1 test place you have already booked to take place on or after 1 February 2011.
  • You took PLAB Part 1 on 16 December 2010 and failed.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 1 on or after 1 February 2011.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 2 four times and therefore need to re-sit PLAB Part 1.
  • If you apply for registration more than three years after passing PLAB Part 2.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, you will need to update the evidence to demonstrate your knowledge of English by providing a letter from the university or awarding institution to confirm that:

  • Your course of study was taught and examined solely in English

and

  • At least 75% of any clinical interaction which took place as part of your course of study (including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals) was conducted in English.

If you are unable to provide this evidence, you will need to obtain the required IELTS scores to demonstrate your knowledge of English after 1 February 2011.

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3. I have not taken IELTS before and have applied, or intend to apply, for registration or to sit Part 1 of the PLAB test, before 1 February 2011 and have demonstrated, or will demonstrate, my knowledge of English through my primary medical qualification which was awarded1 more than 12 months before my application.

The changes will not affect you if before 1 February 2011 you have:

  • Applied for registration.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 1 test place.
  • Passed PLAB 1.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 2 test place.
  • Passed PLAB 2.

However, the changes will affect you if:

  • You change a PLAB Part 1 test place you have already booked to take place on or after 1 February 2011.
  • You took PLAB Part 1 on 16 December 2010 and failed.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 1 on or after 1 February 2011.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 2 four times and therefore need to re-sit PLAB Part 1.
  • If you apply for registration more than three years after passing PLAB Part 2.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, you will need to update the evidence to demonstrate your knowledge of English by providing a letter from the university or awarding institution to confirm that:

  • Your course of study was taught and examined solely in English

and

  • At least 75% of any clinical interaction which took place as part of your course of study (including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals) was conducted in English.

If you are unable to provide this evidence, you will need to obtain the required IELTS scores to demonstrate your knowledge of English after 1 February 2011.

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4. I have requested, or intend to request before 1 February 2011, that the validity of my IELTS scores is extended on the basis of my postgraduate qualification

The changes will not affect you if before 1 February 2011 you have:

  • Applied for registration.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 1 test place.
  • Passed PLAB 1.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 2 test place.
  • Passed PLAB 2.

However, the changes will affect you if:

  • You change a PLAB Part 1 test place you have already booked to take place on or after 1 February 2011.
  • You took PLAB Part 1 on 16 December 2010 and failed.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 1 on or after 1 February 2011.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 2 four times and therefore need to re-sit PLAB Part 1.
  • If you apply for registration more than three years after passing PLAB Part 2.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, you will need to update the evidence to demonstrate your knowledge of English by providing a letter from the university or awarding institution to confirm that:

  • Your postgraduate course of study was taught and examined solely in English

and

  • At least 75% of any clinical interaction which took place as part of your course of study (including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals) was conducted in English.

If you are unable to provide this evidence, you will need to obtain the required IELTS scores to demonstrate your knowledge of English after 1 February 2011.

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5. I have requested, or intend to request before 1 February 2011, that the validity of my IELTS scores is extended on the basis of employment in a country where English is the first and native language

The changes will not affect you if before 1 February 2011 you have:

  • Applied for registration.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 1 test place.  
  • Passed PLAB 1.
  • Booked a PLAB Part 2 test place.
  • Passed PLAB 2.

However, the changes will affect you if:

  • You change a PLAB Part 1 test place you have already booked to take place on or after 1 February 2011.
  • You took PLAB Part 1 on 16 December 2010 and failed.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 1 on or after 1 February 2011.
  • If you do not pass PLAB Part 2 four times and therefore need to re-sit PLAB Part 1.
  • If you apply for registration more than three years after passing PLAB Part 2.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, you will need to update the evidence to demonstrate your knowledge of English by providing a structured reference from your employer. The reference must cover a period of at least three months within the last two years.

If you are unable to provide this evidence, after 1 February 2011 you will need to obtain the required IELTS scores by re-sitting the test or request an extension to your existing scores on the basis of a postgraduate qualification.

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1 When we say ‘awarded’ we mean the date on which the examination was passed rather than the date that the qualification was conferred as this can be several years later.

 

 

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