GMC Registration & PLAB MLA
Registration, examinations, and evidence pathways for international medical graduates
For UK Foundation Programme entry routes, timelines, and prioritisation see the UKFP page. For international destinations see International Pathways.
🔗 GMC Interactive Registration Tool — Check Your Eligibility First
The most important first step for any IMG is to use the GMC Interactive Registration Tool. This tool is maintained directly by the GMC and will always present the most current, accurate guidance.
Provisional vs Full GMC Registration
IMGs can apply for one of two registration types. Your type determines your UK Foundation entry route.
THE KEY DISTINCTION
No internship completed → Provisional Registration → 2-year Foundation Programme (FY1+FY2)
Internship completed → Full Registration → FY2 Standalone (1-year programme)
For Foundation Programme routes, comparison tables, timelines, and the impact of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act, see the UKFP page.
| Provisional Registration | Full Registration | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is it for? | IMGs with a PMQ but no acceptable postgraduate internship. | IMGs with a PMQ and an acceptable internship (or 2 years' continuous practice). |
| Requirements | PMQ verification + English language + PLAB 1 & PLAB 2 | All provisional requirements plus internship evidence plus one of the GMC's accepted evidence pathways |
The PLAB / MLA Examinations
PLAB is the principal assessment route for IMGs. The PLAB framework has been structurally realigned to comply with the MLA: PLAB 1 meets AKT requirements; PLAB 2 meets CPSA requirements. The GMC retains the "PLAB" nomenclature temporarily. From September 2026, PLAB is fully aligned with the MLA for content and assessment — UK graduates and IMGs assessed against the same standard and content map.
⚠️ SEPTEMBER 2026: Major MLA Content Map Transition
From September 2026, all PLAB examinations — including the CPSA — will be assessed against the updated MLA Content Map. The updated map broadens clinical scope to approximately 430 conditions (from ~311), with significant additions in women's health, genetics, holistic care, and safety-critical presentations. The content map is not exhaustive — it identifies core conditions but candidates must be prepared for the full spectrum of clinical practice. Questions are longer, more clinically detailed, and test application of knowledge.
All MD Acumen CPSA content is aligned to the September 2026 syllabus.
PLAB 1 — Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | 180 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions, 3-hour examination |
| Locations | UK (Manchester) and international Pearson VUE centres (sittings in Jan, May, Aug, Nov) |
| Fee (from April 2026) | £283 |
| Validity | PLAB 2 must be attempted within 2 years of passing PLAB 1 |
PLAB 2 — Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA)
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | 18 OSCE stations, 8 minutes each — consultation skills, clinical examination, data interpretation, professional behaviour |
| Location | Manchester, UK only. Runs throughout the year. |
| Fee (from April 2026) | £1,036 |
| GMC deadline | Registration application within 2 years of passing PLAB 2 |
Transition note: Passing PLAB does not automatically confer the right to practise. You must still formally apply for GMC registration with a licence to practise after passing PLAB 2. Valid PLAB passes continue to be accepted. Candidates who passed PLAB 1 may complete PLAB 2 under transitional arrangements.
Prepare for PLAB / MLA with MD Acumen
English Language Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Overall 7.5; minimum 7.0 in each of listening, reading, writing, and speaking — in a single sitting | 2 years from test date |
| OET Medicine | Grade B (≥350) in listening, reading, and speaking; ≥300 in writing — in a single sitting | 2 years from test date |
Both IELTS and OET certificates must be no more than two years old at the date the GMC checks them — not merely at the date of submission. If the GMC registration application extends beyond two years from your test date, you will need to retake the language assessment. Plan your test date carefully.
From 29 January 2025, applicants can no longer self-declare English as their first language unless their PMQ was taught and examined in English in a country where English is the first and native language. This change applies to GMC registration (not to the HCPC for allied health professionals).
Note: The UKFPO has additional, stricter English requirements (Dean's Statement confirming ≥75% clinical interactions in English). See the UKFP page.
Evidence Pathways for GMC Full Registration
This section applies to IMGs who have completed an acceptable internship and are seeking GMC full registration. You must satisfy at least one of the following. Use the GMC Interactive Registration Tool for personalised guidance.
| Evidence Pathway | Description | Substitutes for Internship? |
|---|---|---|
| PLAB (most common) | Pass PLAB 1 & PLAB 2 (MLA-compliant). See MD Acumen PLAB/MLA resources. | No — assessment only. |
| Sponsorship (Royal College) | SRC from approved sponsor. Requires medical practice for 3 of the last 5 years and 10 of the most recent 12 months. | No — separate route. |
| Acceptable PGQ | UK Royal College qualifications (MRCP, MRCS, FRCS) on GMC list. Must be awarded within 3 years; if older, further evidence of recent practice required. | No — knowledge/skills evidence. |
| Specialist/GP Register | Via Recognised Specialist Qualification, Portfolio (CESR/CEGPR), or Relevant European qualification. | Depends on pathway. |
| Overseas registration exam (legacy) | USMLE (CS pass ≤ 13 Mar 2020), MCCQE (≤ 27 Oct 2020), AMC Clinical Exam (passed ≤ 5 Mar 2020, conditions apply). Legacy routes with fixed cut-off dates — state this explicitly to avoid implying they remain generally available. | No — internship still required. |
Key point: Assessment routes prove knowledge/skills but do not substitute for the internship requirement. For full registration you need both acceptable clinical training and an accepted assessment pathway. For internship criteria, see the UKFP page, Section 3.
Primary Source Verification: MyIntealth (formerly EPIC)
Most IMGs with non-UK qualifications need their PMQ independently verified before the GMC grants registration. This is done through the MyIntealth Applicant Portal (formerly EPIC), operated by ECFMG/Intealth. Your medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) with an ECFMG Sponsor Note to be eligible for verification. The GMC cannot process your application until ECFMG confirms the authenticity of your qualification.
Access the portal directly: MyIntealth Applicant Portal. Note that primary source verification can take several months as it depends on the responsiveness of the issuing institution. Start this process as early as possible.
Step-by-Step GMC Registration Pathway
| Step | Provisional Registration | Full Registration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verify PMQ is accepted by GMC | Verify PMQ is accepted by GMC |
| 2 | Start MyIntealth verification (formerly EPIC) | Start MyIntealth verification |
| 3 | Pass English language test | Pass English language test |
| 4 | Pass PLAB 1 (AKT) | Complete acceptable internship |
| 5 | Pass PLAB 2 (CPSA) | Pass PLAB 1 — or another evidence pathway |
| 6 | Apply for provisional registration | Pass PLAB 2 — or complete alternative |
| 7 | Identity check (Digidentity) | Apply for full registration |
| 8 | → Apply to 2-year Foundation Programme | Identity check (Digidentity) |
| 9 | — | → Apply to FY2 Standalone or other NHS posts |
GMC Registration Fees (from April 2026): Application for registration with a licence to practise: £433. Annual retention fee: £433 (reduced to £166 if income below threshold). Provisional registration fee: £26. Budget for these alongside PLAB fees (£283 + £1,036) and English language test costs.
Next step: See the UKFP page for Foundation Programme application timelines, parallel GMC process visualisations, internship criteria, prioritisation impact, and the CREST form.
Continue to Related Pages
UK Foundation Programme
Route A vs B, internship criteria, timelines, PIA algorithm, prioritisation, CREST, specialty training.
→ View page
International IMG Pathways
USA (USMLE/ECFMG), Australia (AMC/WBA), Caribbean, South Africa, Canada, Gulf States.
→ View page
MD Acumen PLAB / MLA Resources
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