Specialist or GP applications

There are different types of registration applications available to specialists and GPs based on their knowledge, skills and experience. Doctors only need to apply for Specialist registration or General Practice registration, if they want to practise as substantive, honorary or fixed term consultant, or as a General Practitioner in the UK health services.

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Specialist registration

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
(CP)

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.

Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)

The process by which doctors who have not trained in an approved programme can demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience are equivalent to that of the relevant CCT curriculum in order to join the GP or Specialist registers.

CESR in a non-CCT specialty

A specialty which has not been approved by us. 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.

CESR 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 need to demonstrate that they have academic or research and clinical skills equivalent to those of a consultant in the UK health services.

Direct Entry - Specialist

For the purposes of automatic mutual recognition in Europe a specialist qualification must be listed for both the home and the host state in the The Directive on Recognition of Professional Qualifications (the Directive).

CESR - General System for the recognition of training

For doctors who aren’t eligible to apply for specialist registration via direct entry but have completed specialist training in an EEA member state, or had training completed elsewhere recognised in an EEA member state. These doctors need to show they have gained the same level of skills/knowledge required by the relevant CCT curriculum. Applicants must be an EEA/Swiss National (or have EC rights) to be eligible.

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

CESR with Registration

Doctors who have not followed a full approved GMC training programme but who may have gained the same level of skills and knowledge required by the CCT curriculum, can apply for a CESR. The application for full registration is separate to the CESR application, but can be applied for at the same time.

Sub-specialty recognition

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

You can check if you are eligible to join the Specialist Register by answering a few questions which will take you to the application type which suits your knowledge, skills and experience.

GP registration

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.

Combined Programme (CP)

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.

Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration (CEGPR)

The process by which doctors who have not trained in an approved GP training programme can demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience are equivalent to that of the CCT curriculum in order to join the GP register.

CEGPR Approved Programme (AP)

Doctors who have completed the GMC approved GP training programme but failed to pass one part of the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners exam (MRCGP), may be eligible to apply for a CEGPR through the approved programme application if they subsequently pass the missing part of the MRCGP exam in the 12 months immediately following completion of their training.

Direct entry – General Practice

For the purposes of automatic mutual recognition in Europe a GP qualification must be listed in for both the home and host state in The Directive on Recognition of Professional Qualifications (the Directive).

CEGPR under General System of Assessment

Doctors who have not followed a full approved GMC training programme but who may have gained the same level of skills and knowledge as CCT trainee. Applicants must be an EEA/Swiss National (or have EC rights). For more information see our General System of assessment guidance.

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 The Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP) before 31 March 2006, are eligible for entry onto the General Practice register.

CEGPR with Registration

Doctors who wish to join the specialist register who have not followed a full approved GMC training programme but who may have gained the same level of skills and knowledge as CCT trainee, can apply for a CEGPR. The application for full registration is separate to the CEGPR application, but can be applied for at the same time.

You can check if you are eligible to join the GP Register by answering a few questions which will take you to the application type which suits your knowledge, skills and experience.

The General Medical Council

We help to protect patients and improve medical education and practice in the UK by setting standards for students and doctors. We support them in achieving and exceeding those standards, and take action when they are not met.

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