Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

Annual retention fee

All doctors pay a fee to register with the General Medical Council. Following registration you are required to pay an annual fee to retain your name on the GMC's Register of Medical Practitioners.

The annual fee you must pay depends on your registration status. Please refer to our fees page for more details.

1. Direct Debit

If you are paying an annual retention fee and have a UK bank account you have the option to pay your fees by Direct Debit.

Paying by Direct Debit is easier as your payments are collected automatically; ensuring your status on the Register is not put at risk from late payment.

If you choose to pay by Direct Debit you will have the option of paying your annual retention fee in one amount, quarterly instalments or ten monthly instalments. We will collect your fee no less than 10 days before your annual retention fee is due.

To pay your annual retention fees by Direct Debit, please download and complete the Direct Debit Instruction (55k, PDF) and return it to us.

We will then write to you to confirm the set-up of your Direct Debit. It is important that you check the information and advise us immediately if it is incorrect.

Your annual retention fee notice will reflect your Direct Debit Instruction and will set out the collection d ates and amounts.

If we were unable to set up a Direct Debit in time to collect this year's fee your fee notice will explain the other options. We will still set up your Direct Debit Instruction for future fees.

Changing your payment frequency

If you already pay by Direct Debit but would like to change the frequency to annual, quarterly or ten monthly instalments please contact us. You do not have to cancel your current instruction with your bank.

2. MyGMC

MyGMC is a special password-protected website designed to make administration easier for doctors. It allows you to pay your annual retention fees by credit or debit card (VISA, MasterCard, Maestro, Visa Electron, Visa Delta and Solo). You can also print receipts for recent payments you have made.

Accessing MyGMC

If you already have a MyGMC account you can log in here to pay your annual retention fee. New users can request log on details online. You can access MyGMC here.
Login to MyGMC (opens in a new window).

3. Telephone

You can pay your annual retention fee by credit or debit card by calling us. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Electron, Visa Delta and Solo. If you want to pay your fee by telephone, the card must be in your name. Simply call us on 0161 923 6602 (+44 161 923 6602 from outside the UK) and we will process your payment. Our telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00 and Saturday 09:00 to 17:00, excluding bank holidays.

4. Internet Banking

You can pay your fee directly into the GMC bank account. Please ensure you use your GMC reference number and name as a reference. If you wish to pay by this method please contact us and we will provide you with our bank account details.

5. Cheques, Bank Drafts and Postal Orders

Cheques, bank drafts and postal orders should be made payable to the General Medical Council. Please write your full name and GMC reference number clearly on the back of the cheque or bank draft. Please note that we only accept bank drafts which are drawn on a UK bank and in pounds sterling. We do not accept post-dated cheques.

Please send the cheque or bank draft to the address below.

General Medical Council
Fees Team
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3AW
United Kingdom

6. Other Payment Options

It is possible to pay your fee in person at our London reception. We accept cheque, cash or credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Visa Electron, Visa Delta and Solo). You can also pay by credit and debit card at our Manchester reception.

You can also pay your fees at any bank in the UK using the bank giro slip, which is enclosed with your annual retention fee notice. You will need to complete and detach this slip, and present this at the bank with your payment. Please note that if you are not paying into a NatWest bank, you may be charged an additional fee. You can also send a cheque together with the giro slip, in the addressed envelope, which is enclosed with your fee notice. Please do not send cash or any other documentation in this envelope.

7. Annual retention fee confirmation

When your payment has been received we will write to you confirming receipt of the appropriate fee paid for the current year. If you do not receive a letter of confirmation you should check that your payment has reached the GMC and make sure that we have your correct address.

8. Tax receipts

You can get tax relief on your registration fee and your annual retention fee. Further information can be found on the HMRC website. Receipts can be printed for recent payments from MyGMC. Please contact us (opens new window) if you would like a further receipt for tax purposes.

9. Erasure for non-payment

If we do not receive your payment for your annual retention fee, we may erase your name, and your licence to practise should you hold one, from the medical Register. If your name is not on the Register, you will not be permitted to undertake any form of medical practice within the United Kingdom for which registration and a licence to practise with the GMC is required. To ensure your fees are paid on time we recommend that you pay your annual retention fee by Direct Debit.

10. Erasure for non-effective address

Your name may also be erased if you fail to maintain an effective address - one at which we can always contact you. You can find information on changing your address in the Updating your details on the register section.

11. Voluntary Erasure

If you no longer require registration with the GMC, or you are considering retirement, you can apply to have your name removed from the Register. There is no fee for removing your name from the Register. Please see our guidance on voluntary erasure (opens in a new window) for information about how to apply.

12. Relinquishing your licence to practise

If you wish to maintain your registration, but relinquish your licence to practise, you can do this free of charge. Doctors who have relinquished their licence on a voluntary basis can restore their licence free of charge (the annual retention fee will still apply). Please see our guidance on applying to relinquish your licence to practise.

13. Restoration following erasure

When applying for restoration to the register you will need to decide whether you also need a licence to practise.

Restoration to the Register following erasure for non-payment will incur a restoration fee as well as the annual retention fee for the current year.

Restoration following erasure for non-effective address will also incur a restoration fee as well as the annual retention fee for the current year.

Restoration following voluntary erasure is free of charge. You are required to pay the full annual retention fee for the current year.

For fees payable upon restoring please see our Fees page.

14. Restoring your licence to practise

If you currently have registration without a licence to practise you can apply for a licence (if you have never held a licence) or restore your licence (if you previously relinquished your licence). Restoring your licence is free of charge. Once your licence to practise is granted we will write to you to tell you how much you must pay for the reminder of the registration year. Please see our guidance on restoring your licence to practise.

Check a doctor's registration

You can check a doctor's registration online, on the List of Registered Medical Practitioners.