Accreditation for Specialist Registration in Psychiatry
Portfolio Pathway 2023
- Child and Adolescent
- Forensic
- General Adult
- Old Age
- Learning Disability
- Medical Psychotherapy
What are the changes arising with the Portfolio Pathway to achieve Specialist Registration?
From 30 November 2023 the GMC curriculum changed for doctors wishing to apply for Certificate for Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) and Equivalence was replaced by the Portfolio Pathway.
Note: Applications already in process and lodged with the GMC prior to 29 November 2023 at 11.59pm GMT will continue via the previous Equivalence route.
The College are presently undertaking a project to develop more applicant and stakeholder guidance .
The GMC have produced general guidance: Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR).
This guidance sets out the eligibility requirements and process for applying for Specialist Registration in Psychiatry as set out in the Specialty Specific Guidance (SSGs).
Am I eligible to apply to the GMC for Specialist Registration via the Portfolio Pathway?
To be eligible to apply via the GMC to the Portfolio Pathway, you must have either a specialist qualification in the specialty you are applying in or, at least six months continuous specialist training in the specialty you are applying in. If you think you do not meet this criteria please contact the GMC.
If you meet the above criteria, have been working in the field of psychiatry and feel you have the necessary level experience and can evidence this, with supporting information, you may be eligible to apply.
Portfolios are submitted and assessed against your Knowledge, Skills and Experience (KSE) for specialist practice in the UK and reflects the Higher Learning Outcomes in psychiatry (HLOs). Evidence submitted should be within the last 10 years, stated in whole time equivalents (WTE).
If you have worked for less than full-time periods over the last five years, evidence can be provided from previous years – however clear details of this should be stated on the GMC application and CV.
Please see information below which will help you identify which cohort you can apply for via the GMC.
Guidance presentation held on 30 January 2025
We recently held an online guidance webinar to give applicants and stakeholders an overview of the process and information on the Portfolio Pathway route to registration. Lots of topics were covered including choosing Cohorts, primary and secondary evidencing, HLOs and much more, so please check out the recording below.
If you have any questions please email us at specialistregistration@rcpsych.ac.uk.
Which KSE cohort should I apply for?
The College has three KSE entry level cohorts at which you can submit your portfolio if you are eligible.
This is a self-selection process, and you must decide which KSE you feel your experience and skills fit into and apply for the appropriate cohort on your application to the GMC.
Use the button below to access the questions and criteria you'll need to make your selection.
Portfolio Pathway FAQs
These FAQ pages answer common questions about applying to the GMC for specialist registration.
Role of the College in Specialist Registration via the Portfolio Pathway
CESR applications are made to the GMC, where they are compiled and submitted to the RCPsych for two College Evaluators to undertake the evaluation. Further information about how to apply can be found on the GMC website:
The College’s role is to evaluate applications received from the GMC for Specialist Registration in Psychiatry and send recommendations to the GMC, who will place the applicant on the Specialist Register if it is collaboratively agreed that all HLOs have been met. The College works closely with the GMC to ensure that a robust system of assessment is established.
To achieve this, the College:
- Determines criteria reflecting the Knowledge, Skills and Experience (KSE) requirements for doctors applying for inclusion on the Specialist Register.
- Evaluates individual applications for the inclusion on the Specialist Register. The two assigned Evaluators and the Associate Dean for Equivalence, Dr Neeraj Berry, are responsible for evaluating applications.
Further information
Contact us
For further information, contact specialistregistration@rcpsych.ac.uk