Changes to the way Certificates of Good Standing are issued

The GMC has been reviewing its use of Certificates of Good Standing in light of the Edinburgh Agreement.

When doctors seek to work abroad they are usually required by their new regulator to provide a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) as part of a range of evidence, to prove their registration status, fitness to practise and their ‘standing' or ‘good character’ as a healthcare professional. Almost all of the healthcare regulators use CGS, as a means of sharing information on those who seek registration abroad. However, the level of detail required varies from regulator to regulator. 

The Healthcare Professionals Crossing Borders began as a EU Presidency initiative during the UK Presidency of the EU, in 2005. It now exists as an informal partnership of European regulators focusing on developing approaches to information exchange between regulatory authorities.  In October 2005, as part of the initiative, regulators from across Europe developed an informal agreement, known as the Edinburgh Agreement, setting out how they will collaborate on information exchange. To meet the Edinburgh Agreement, the GMC has been reviewing its use of Certificates of Good Standing. The benefits of developing a more consistent and detailed approach to certificates, and information sharing in general, enable regulators, like the GMC, to gain more information about an individual  before they are registered to practise. This also contributes to ensuring individuals are fit to practise.

The key principles underpinning the Edinburgh Agreement include:

• to ensure a high level of quality in healthcare and the security and protection of patients
• to facilitate professional mobility
• to ensure the public's confidence in healthcare professionals and their regulation
• to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.

The Agreement also says "All Certificates, transmitted by any means, will be designed to reduce or avoid fraudulent production or reproduction". 

In order to streamline our processes and taking into account the key principles of the Edinburgh Agreement we will no longer issue a CGS directly to a doctor. We will only issue a certificate to another appropriate body – eg healthcare regulator or employer. Doctors will still be able to ask for a CGS whenever they need one but the CGS will be sent directly to the regulator/employer. Doctors will be able to request CGS easily over the web, by phone or mail and there will be no requirement for them to carry their own copy when travelling overseas.