Specialist or GP applications

Certificate of completion of training (CCT)

Doctors with a CCT have completed an approved training programme in the UK and are eligible for entry onto the Specialist Register. We have approved and quality assured training programmes in 65 specialties.

Combined programme

For doctors who joined an approved specialist training programme at a later starting point having already obtained some of the CCT curriculum competencies from previous non-approved training posts. These doctors are awarded a CCT certificate upon successful completion of training.

Portfolio pathway - specialist registration

The process by which doctors who have not trained in an approved programme can demonstrate they hold the knowledge, skills and experience required to practise as an eligible specialist in the UK and join the Specialist register. These doctors will be entered on the Specialist register that reflects the date of the award of specialist registration. 

Portfolio pathway in a non-CCT specialty

Applications via Portfolio pathway made in a specialty that we haven't approved a CCT curriculum in. Doctors must demonstrate that their knowledge and skills are equivalent to the standards required of a consultant in the UK health services. They must have a specialist medical qualification or six months training in a non-CCT specialty from outside the UK. These doctors will be entered on the Specialist register that reflects the date of the award of specialist registration.  

Portfolio pathway through academic or research medicine

For doctors who have not followed a full approved GMC training programme, but have knowledge, skills and experience in a very specific area. Applicants must demonstrate that they have academic or research and clinical skills equivalent to those of a consultant in the UK health services. These doctors will be entered on the Specialist register that reflects the date of the award of specialist registration. 

Relevant European Qualification - Specialist

For doctors who hold a relevant specialist European Qualification which meets the current GMC criteria for recognition. 

If you apply for GP or specialist registration with a relevant European Qualification (Including EFTA) after the 15 May 2024, you will need to pay a fee will for each registration type you are applying for. We are introducing this fee to be fair and consistent with the fee UK and other international medical graduates pay.

Reassessments under the general system for the recognition of training - specialist

Doctors who have previously been unsuccessful in an application for specialist registration under the general system for assessment. These doctors need to show they have gained the same level of skills and knowledge required by the relevant CCT curriculum.

Qualifying Swiss applicants - Specialist

For doctors who are eligible to apply as a Qualifying Swiss applicant for specialist registration under the Swiss Citizens Rights Agreement.

Existing specialist certificate

For doctors who were issued a CCST, CCT or CESR by one of our predecessors the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) or Specialist Training Authority (STA) between 12 January 1996 and 31 January 2007.

Existing specialist scheme

Doctors who were appointed to a substantive, honorary or fixed term consultant post in the UK Health Services or UK Armed Forces before 1 January 1997, can apply for entry onto the Specialist Register using the scheme for existing specialists.

Published scheme – Late entry onto the Specialist Register

Portfolio pathway with registration

Doctors who can demonstrate they hold the knowledge, skills and experience required to practise as an eligible specialist in the UK and join the Specialist register can apply for full registration at the same time, if they don’t already hold this. The application for full registration is separate to the Portfolio application, but can be applied for at the same time. 

Sub-specialty recognition

For doctors who would like to apply for their sub-specialty to be added to their existing entry on the Specialist Register. Applicants must have done GMC approved training in the sub-specialty in which they're applying, or demonstrate that they have completed an overseas training programme, equivalent to the standards of the UK sub-specialty curriculum.

Certificate of completion of training (CCT)

Doctors with a CCT have completed an approved training programme in the UK and are eligible for entry onto the GP Register. We have approved and quality assured training programmes in 65 specialties.

Portfolio pathway - GP registration

The process by which doctors who have not trained in an approved programme can demonstrate they hold the knowledge, skills and experience required to practise as an eligible GP in the UK and join the GP register. These doctors will be entered on the GP register that reflects the date of the award of GP registration. 

Combined programme

For doctors who joined an approved specialist training programme at a later starting point, having already gained some of the CCT curriculum competencies from previous non-approved training posts. These doctors are awarded a CCT certificate upon successful completion of training.

Approved programme (AP)

For doctors who have completed the GMC approved GP training programme but failed one part of the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) exams. They may be eligible to apply for a GP registration through the approved programme application if they pass the missing part of the MRCGP exam in the 12 months immediately after completing their training. 

Portfolio pathway with Registration

Doctors who can demonstrate they hold the knowledge, skills and experience required to practise as an eligible GP in the UK and join the GP register can apply for full registration at the same time, if they don’t already hold this. The application for full registration is separate to the Portfolio application, but can be applied for at the same time. 

Relevant European Qualification – GP

For doctors who hold a relevant GP European Qualification which meets the current GMC criteria for recognition.

Recognised Specialist Qualification – GP

For GPs who hold a Recognised Specialist Qualification which meets the current GMC criteria for recognition. 

Existing GP certificate 

Doctors, who were issued a CPE, CEE, CCT or CEGPR by one of our predecessors the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) or the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP) before 31 March 2006, are eligible for entry onto the GP Register.

Reassessment under the general system for the recognition of training – GP

Doctors who have previously been unsuccessful in an application for GP registration under the general system for assessment. These doctors need to show they have gained the same level of skills and knowledge required by the relevant CCT curriculum.

Qualifying Swiss applicants – GP

For doctors who are eligible to apply as a Qualifying Swiss applicant for GP registration under the Swiss Citizens Rights Agreement.