The early adopters

  1. Summary
  2. What is a credential?
  3. Credentialing and postgraduate training
  1. The early adopters
  2. Awarding credentials to doctors

We worked with the UK Medical Education Reference Group (UKMERG) to prioritise a small number of areas for development as credentials. Three credentials have been approved: rural and remote health, mechanical thrombectomy, and pain medicine. The early adopter phase is now closed.

Council decision December 2023

In December 2023, GMC Council decided to bring the credential project to a close. This means that there are no plans to take forward any new GMC credentials.

We will continue to support the statutory education bodies in the delivery and evaluation of the early adopter credentials. Learning from the project will be incorporated into a future GMC education strategy.

Cosmetic surgery

In December 2023, GMC Council also decided to end the development of cosmetic surgery credential. The complexity involved, and the need to ensure accessibility for non-specialists, means that the cosmetic surgery credential as developed will not address the key patient safety risks, and a new approach is needed. We want to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to help deliver a joined-up approach which would better serve patient interests.

Funding

All four UK nations have committed to ensuring there will be equitable and proportionate funding arrangements underpinning credentials where they are commissioned to develop and secure services.

Previous Credentialing and postgraduate training Next Awarding credentials to doctors