Routes to the GMC Specialist Register

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
 
Please note that in June 2006 the PMETB (Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board) issued guidance clarifying routes to the Specialist Register.  It is available in full on the PMETB website.
 
Pursuant to Articles 4, 6, 8 and Schedule 5 of the General Medical Practice and Specialist Medical Education, Training and Qualifications Order 2003, eligibility for a CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) depends on completion of training which meets requirements set out in the Order.  This means that only specialists whose entire training has been supervised (approved) by the PMETB are eligible for a CCT.
 
International psychiatrists wishing to undertake higher specialist training in the UK are still able to apply for assessment of their specialist qualifications.  If successful they will receive a statement of eligibility for higher training which will allow them to compete for SpR (Specialist Registrar) posts.  It is important to note, however, that on completion of that training doctors with qualifications other than MRCPsych will only be eligible to apply for the inclusion on the Specialist Register through the Article 14 route.
 
Further queries regarding routes to the Specialist Register should be forwarded directly to PMETB as a UK competent authority. 

 

 

Training leading to the award of a CCT must be in supervised posts and programmes that are approved and quality assured by PMETB.  This is the law and the Order establishing PMETB makes no provision for the retrospective approval of training.

 

The new approved PMETB curricula began in August 2007.  Those who join these new training programmes at year one will proceed to the award of a CCT, subject to satisfactory progress.  These programmes may include posts overseas providing they have been prospectively approved by PMETB.

 

Doctors entering programmes above year 1 may be eligible for award of a CCT on successful completion of training provided their previous posts had existing PMETB approval.

 

PMETB will not give retrospective approval to posts already undertaken.  Therefore, doctors entering specialist training above year one based on posts in the UK or overseas that did not have PMETB training approval will gain entry to the Specialist Register on successful completion of their programmes through the award of a certificate confirming eligibility for specialist registration (CESR), the article 14 route.

 

For doctors who wish to pursue a career at consultant level in the UK the method of entry onto the Specialist Register is irrelevant.

Further information about the following:

 

 

                                                                                                                Page last updated 30th June 2009
© 2010 Royal College of Psychiatrists