Information on booking a PLAB 1 place

Before you book a PLAB exam

Doctors with an overseas medical qualification who are interested in joining the UK register should read our guidance on working as a doctor in the UK before deciding whether to book PLAB. Job vacancies for doctors vary by specialty, geographic location and change over time. The number of PLAB places is not directly linked to the number of job vacancies offered by employers, such as the NHS.

Before making a booking, you should also consider factors such as visa processing times or travel/accommodation requirements.

Am I eligible to book a PLAB 1 exam?

You’ll need an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification. If you haven’t graduated yet, we will need confirmation you have passed your final examinations and have met all other requirements to be eligible for the qualification.

You’ll also need to demonstrate you have the necessary knowledge of English by providing evidence. You can find information on how to demonstrate this in our Evidence of your knowledge of English guide.

Our Influences on pass rates in PLAB examinations 2022 report shows that candidates who have passed IELTS or OET have more chance of passing PLAB 1 at the first attempt than those who have not. We, therefore, recommend you strongly consider taking IELTS or OET, even if you feel you may be able to provide alternative English language evidence.

Once you have this information, you can set up a GMC Online account. When we've verified your English language evidence, you’ll be able to access our booking service to book or cancel your place. If you have a GMC reference number but have not logged in to GMC Online since August 2021, you will need to update your account.

There is also a limit on the number of times you can take the exam. Candidates can continue to take the exam until they have failed it four times. If you would like to take the exam again following your fourth failed attempt, you must apply for an additional attempt.

If you fail this fifth and final attempt, you’ll no longer be eligible to take the exam.

How do I book a PLAB 1 place?

You can view available dates and book in our PLAB booking service in GMC Online.

We carefully monitor demand and availability and will open new places in line with this. You can see when any new places are scheduled to open in the PLAB booking service. 

How much does it cost?

Please visit our Fees page for price listings. You can view these on the PLAB fees tab.

Can I book a PLAB place through anyone else other than the GMC?

No. Candidates can only book a PLAB place through their GMC Online account, and only the account holder must access the account. 

Candidates must not share their information with any third party or attempt to book a place anywhere other than through GMC Online. 

Sharing your account details with any third party is misconduct and may impact your PLAB booking or any future registration application. Doing so can also put your personal, financial and other online account information at risk.

Are there any concessions for refugees?

If you are a refugee doctor living in the UK, the fee for PLAB 1 will be free of charge for your first two attempts. To process your booking, please contact us on 0161 923 6602.

If you are having trouble booking a test date, please email the PLAB team for help.

Read our information for refugee doctors living in the UK.