2.2 GMC Licence to Practice: General Steps

Key Words PLAB: Professional Linguistic and Assessment Board IELTS: International English Language Testing System OET: Occupational English Test GMC: General Medical Council EPIC: Electronic Portfolio for International Credentials

To be granted full registration with a licence to practise in the United Kingdom, there are four main steps to consider:

1. GMC Account

Once you have graduated, you can create your online GMC account. This will allow you to upload your IELTS results, book PLAB 1 and 2, apply for registration, and address any queries with the GMC.Link: GMC Online Help

2. IELTS or OET

• The requirements are an overall score of 7.5 with at least 7 in each of the four domains.

• You will need the Academic version of the IELTS. After passing IELTS, you can book your PLAB 1 exam. There are many test centres worldwide and online courses to help you prepare.

• For OET, the GMC requires a minimum grade of B in each section. OET also offers the option to take the exam from home.

  Links:

  • Book IELTS

  • Book OET

  • OET at Home

3. EPIC

EPIC is a portal for verifying medical credentials. It ensures your diploma is authentic and confirms that you are a medical graduate.

• You must create an EPIC account via the following link: EPIC Portal.

• Follow the steps provided on the website to send your diploma for verification. The diploma will then be sent to your country, where the Dean of your medical school will sign the documents sent by EPIC, verifying that you are a graduate. If your faculty has access to the EPIC portal, they will simply respond via email.

• This process typically takes 2 to 3 months. Once completed, EPIC will send a report to the GMC, which will be used during your registration.

Note: The cost or documents required by your faculty to respond to EPIC varies by country, so you will need to enquire at your university about specific requirements.

Recommendation: Complete this process early. You only need your diploma, its translation, and the translated version itself.

4. PLAB Exams

The PLAB exams assess whether you have the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine in the UK. There are two parts:

• PLAB 1: A written test with 180 multiple-choice questions based on clinical scenarios.

• PLAB 2: A practical exam consisting of 18 stations with clinical simulations, assessing your ability to apply knowledge to real-life scenarios.

After passing PLAB 1, you can schedule PLAB 2, which is held in the UK. Once both exams are completed successfully, you can proceed with your GMC registration.

Note: Ensure you are well-prepared for each step. There are many online resources and courses available for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 preparation.

I hope this post helps you understand the process more clearly and navigate the blog more effectively. Don’t hesitate to ask questions via the blog, social media, email, or book your 1:1 advising meeting today.

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