GMC Online unavailable during system updates
We’re planning to carry out essential updates to our systems
GMC Online and the PLAB booking service will be unavailable from 30 September 2026 until 6 October 2026.
This means you won't be able to sign in to GMC Online and you won’t be able to complete tasks such as:
- submitting an application
- booking or amending a test such as PLAB or the AARA
- updating your details
- making a payment, managing your direct debit or applying for an income discount
- completing a digital identity (ID) check.
We're sorry for the disruption and thank you for your patience whilst we complete this work.
Please be aware that our contact centre will not be able complete these actions on your behalf during this time.
Please read the further information below, which gives more guidance.
Fee payments
I’ve received a message telling me that my annual fee is outstanding. How can I make a payment?
You won’t be able to pay your annual fee while we update our systems. You will be able to make a payment again on Tuesday 6 October.
We’re aware that some registrants’ annual fees may become overdue as a result of this restriction. Please be assured that non-payment during this period will not affect your registration or licence to practise. But you make the payment as soon as possible once our systems are available again.
UK graduates
I’m waiting to receive my GMC Online activation invitation and ID check invitation emails. Will I still receive these and be able to complete these tasks?
You will receive the emails as planned. But you will not be able to access GMC Online or complete an ID check during the system update period. If you receive the invites before the system updates, we encourage you to activate your account and complete your ID check as soon as possible before 30 September. Otherwise, you will need to wait until 6 October.
Registration and revalidation
I need to give up my licence to practise.
You won’t be able to apply to give up your licence to practice, and we won’t be able to remove a licence during this period. We recommend that you apply to give up your licence as soon as possible before 30 September. Applications will be processed once our systems are available.
I am due to start work and must be registered before 30 September, but my application hasn’t been granted yet.
Please contact us in this situation.
I’m currently practising but have just discovered that my registration was recently removed for non-payment of the fee or administrative reasons.
Please contact us immediately and we will advise you on the next steps.
I’ve submitted a request for my registration/licence change to take effect during the period in question.
Registration or licence changes will not take effect on the register while our systems are being updated.
If you have already submitted an application with an effective date during this period, a member of the team will be in touch to explain what will happen.
I’m a provisionally registered doctor who is not working. I have limited days left on my provisional registration and need to give up my registration as soon as possible.
We recommend that you apply to give up your registration as soon as possible before 30 September. Applications will be processed once our systems are available.
I’ve made an annual return submission – will this still be processed?
Annual return submissions will be processed once our systems are available.
I need to let you know about a new connection to a designated body.
Please update your connection in GMC Online before 30 September.
If this isn’t possible, please update your connection in GMC Online as soon as possible on or after 6 October.
I’ve received an email about my designated body connection but I can’t access GMC Online.
Please log in after 6 October to access your designated body connection information.
I need a certificate of good standing
You will not be able to make a request through GMC Online while our systems are being updated. Please make your request using GMC Online on 6 October when our service resume.
If your request is urgent and cannot wait until 6 October, please contact us.
Specialist and GP registration
My 12-month review deadline falls during the period in question.
We encourage you to submit your review application as soon as possible before 30 September. If you’re not able to do this, please contact us and we will advise you on the next steps.
Booking or amending a test
I need to make a test booking.
You won’t be able to make a new booking while our services are unavailable. This includes:
- Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB1 and PLAB2)
- Anaesthesia associate registration assessment (AARA)
- Revalidation assessment.
Unfortunately, our Contact Centre and Assessment teams can’t do this on your behalf either.
If you need urgent advice in relation to a test booking before our services are restored on Tuesday 6 October, please contact us on PLAB@gmc-uk.org.
I’ve made a test booking and need to amend it.
You cannot make changes to your booking while GMC Online is unavailable. Unfortunately, our Contact Centre and Assessment teams can’t do this on your behalf either.
If you need urgent advice in relation to a test booking before our services are restored on Tuesday 6 October, please contact us on PLAB@gmc-uk.org.
I need to cancel my PLAB booking and I can’t log into GMC Online. Will this affect my eligibility for a refund?
If you need to cancel your PLAB booking, please email us at: PLAB@gmc-uk.org.
The cancellation fee amount is dependent on the number of days between your test date, and the date you cancel.
| Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test cancellation fees | Effective from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| PLAB 1 – cancellations over 42 days before exam (10% of test fee) | £28.30 |
| PLAB 1 – cancellations 42 days or less before exam (100% of test fee) | £283 |
| PLAB 2 – cancellations over 42 days before exam (10% of test fee) | £103.60 |
| PLAB 2 – cancellations between 42 and 29 days before exam (50% of test fee) | £518 |
| PLAB 2 – cancellations 28 days or less before exam (100% of test fee) | £1,036 |
If you have informed us of the cancellation, we will provide a refund in line with the above.
ID checks
Can I complete a digital ID check during this period?
Digital ID checks will be unavailable – they will resume on Tuesday 6 October.
If your ID check is urgent – for example if you’re an overseas doctor who needs temporary or special purpose registration to provide essential medical services – please contact us immediately.
I’ve completed my ID check with Digidentity but can’t log into GMC Online to complete the final step.
You will not be able to log into GMC Online to complete your digital ID check until after our full services resume.
Personal information
I need to change my name or contact information but GMC Online is unavailable.
You won’t be able to make any changes to your personal information during this period, and our Contact Centre won’t be able to help you with this request. Please log in to GMC Online or contact us from 6 October to make the changes.
