Information on the General Practitioner (GP) Register
The GP Register was established on 31 March 2006. From 1 April 2006, all doctors working in general practice in the health service in the UK, other than doctors in training such as GP Registrars, have been required to be included on the GP Register.
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Background
By law the GMC is required to maintain the GP Register. Since 1 April 2006 all doctors working in general practice in the health service in the UK, other than doctors in training such as GP registrars, are now required to be on the GP Register. This requirement extends to locums.
Eligibility for inclusion on the GP Register
Doctors are entitled to have their names included on the GP Register if, in addition to being a registered medical practitioner, they:
- Hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in general practice
- Are a national of a relevant European State, or who by virtue of an enforceable Community right are entitled to be treated no less favorably than such nationals, and hold qualifications in general practice listed in Annex 5.1.4. of Directive 2005/36/EC
- Have an acquired right to practise as a general practitioner in the UK
- Fall within such other categories provided for in the General Medical Council (Applications for General Practice and Specialist Registration) Regulations 2010
You can view these Regulations in our Legislation section, and can find out more about CCTs in our specialist and GP certification section.
Accessing the GP Register
The GP Register can be accessed via our online Register, the List of Registered Medical Practitioners.
Primary care organisations and performers lists
Primary care organisations (PCO means a primary care trust in England, Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland, a local health board in Wales, and primary care divisions within area health boards in Scotland) are responsible for maintaining primary medical performers lists.
GP registration (ie being included on the GP Register) is one requirement for entry to a medical performers list for GPs, although this does not apply to doctors in training, such as GP Registrars. When a doctor applies to join a performers list, the PCO should contact the GMC to check whether that doctor is on the GP Register, and make other pre-employment checks.
The criteria for entry to a medical performers list are set out in Department of Health guidance.
See our guidance on employing a doctor for further information.
PCOs undertake a series of checks, in addition to registration checks, before admitting a doctor to their performers lists. See the NHS Employers' guidance - 'Safer recruitment - a guide for NHS employers'.
If you are a GP Registrar
If you are a GP Registrar, you need to be included in a medical performers list if you wish to work in the UK health service. However, you do not need to be on the GP Register to complete your training.
Before you complete your training you will need to apply for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).
Read more about CCTs in our specialist and GP certification section.
Further information
If you would like more information on the GP Register contact us.