Applying for entry onto the Specialist Register with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration - (CESR) in Academic or Research medicine

This page is to help GMC registered doctors who are eligible* to apply for entry onto the Specialist Register with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) in Academic or Research medicine.

Entry onto the Specialist Register with a CESR in Academic or Research medicine is only awarded to a small number of doctors who have not followed conventional specialist training, have focused on a specific area of narrow research and have made a significant contribution to their academic field.

You are also required to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skill consistent with practice as a consultant in the NHS.

Please read our description of a likely candidate for a CESR in Academic or Research medicine (opens in a new window) before continuing.

If you are eligible to apply for entry onto the Specialist Register with a CCT (opens in a new window), or a CESR through the combined programme (opens in a new window), because you have completed an approved Specialty Training programme in the UK, you should not apply for entry onto the Specialist Register with a CESR in Academic or Research medicine.

Please also bear in mind that if you do not intend to work as an honorary, fixed-term or substantive consultant in the NHS, it is not a legal requirement to be entered onto the Specialist Register. Please check with your prospective employer whether it is a requirement for them.

To make your application you will need to complete an application form (CN4). You will find a link to download the application form at the end of this guidance.

You will also need to

• provide evidence that you have the knowledge and skill equivalent to the standards required of a consultant in any of the UK health services
• demonstrate that you have made a significant contribution to your academic field
• give us the names and contact details of your referees
• pay the appropriate application fee.

When we have received your application, supporting evidence, structured reports from your referees, and the application fee, we will make a final check and then send your application for evaluation to the relevant Royal College or Faculty (opens in a new window) for the specialty that is the nearest match to yours.

The Royal College or Faculty will evaluate your evidence, considering your contribution to your academic field and whether you have the knowledge and skill consistent with practice as a consultant in the UK health services. The College or Faculty will then give us this evaluation in a set format.

Please read this guidance carefully and in good time before you need your certificate. You should bear in mind that it can take a long time to compile your supporting evidence and obtain references. Once your application is complete, the assessment process will take around three months.

Your steps to certification

• Read this guidance (13 pages)
• Compile the evidence you wish to provide in support of your application
• Get agreement from your referees that they will supply us with a structured report when we contact them
• Complete the CN4 application form (please contact us for a copy)
• Send your form, evidence and fee to the Certification team

There is more information about these steps on the following pages of this guidance.

*If you are not sure if you are reading the right guidance for you, you can check by answering a few questions (opens in a new window). (If you have already answered these questions and are still unsure, please contact us (opens in a new window).)