Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice

Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB)

From 30 November 2012 all Part 1 examinations will contain single best answer items only. We will no longer be using extended matching questions. There will be a new answer sheet. See the section on How to approach the examination for more details.
  1. 1. Do you need to take it?
  2. 2. Guidance for PLAB test candidates

The PLAB test is the main route by which International Medical Graduates (IMGs) demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine in the UK.

1. Do you need to take it?

There are various different routes to registration with a licence to practise in the UK.

You will need to pass the PLAB test before you can apply for registration with a licence to practise if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are a national of a country outside the UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who graduated from a medical school outside the UK

OR

  • You are a UK national who has graduated from a medical school outside the UK, EEA or Switzerland

AND

  • You do not have EC rights (opens in a new window)

AND

  • You are not sponsored under an arrangement approved by us

OR

  • You do not hold an approved postgraduate qualification

OR

  • You are not a trained GP or specialist

If you do not meet the above criteria, you may be eligible to apply for registration with a licence to practise without passing the PLAB test. Please see our Applications section to find the guidance that is relevant to you. If you are eligible to apply for registration with a licence to practise by a route other than PLAB, but decide to take the PLAB test and fail, be aware that this will be taken into consideration if you later apply through an alternative route.

2. Guidance for PLAB test candidates

This is a comprehensive guide containing everything you need to know about the PLAB test, which all prospective candidates should read. In particular you should read the information about job prospects for IMGs (opens in a new window) before you apply.

Click on the headings below or on the left menu to read each section separately.

If we make any changes you will always find the details here on the GMC website, which we keep under regular review. These notes are designed to help you, but remember – they are only guidelines, and do not have legal force. If you have any comments on the guidance we provide, please let us know.