SAS career development

Please see the SAS resources page for the recently published RCPsych Guidance on CESR Fellowship Schemes.

Introduction

This page provides information about applying to the Specialist Register – Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) and becoming an Affiliate member of the College. You will also find resources related to the Specialist grade and other resources related to career development.

What is CESR and what are the eligibility requirements?

The CESR provides a route for doctors who do not hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to obtain specialist registration. They must satisfy the General Medical Council (GMC) that their specialist training or specialist qualifications, when considered together, are equivalent to a CCT in the specialty in question.

Doctors who have undertaken a minimum of 6 months training or obtained a specialist qualification and acquired specialist medical experience or knowledge as a psychiatrist within a non-training post, and are currently practising, may apply to the GMC for assessment of their competencies. 

Role of the College in the CESR process

The College’s role is to evaluate applications for Specialist Registration in Psychiatry and send recommendations to the GMC. 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 training requirements for doctors applying for the inclusion in the Specialist Register
• evaluates individual applications for the inclusion in the Specialist Register
• must be satisfied that the applicant demonstrates an equivalent level of competence to that of a UK qualified specialist holding a CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) 

The College has produced Guidance notes for CESR Applicants, and hosts blogs from previous applicants sharing their advice and experience of the process.

Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)

CESR applications are made to the GMC, rather than to the College. Further information about how to apply can be found on the GMC website.

Affiliateship

Affiliateship is open to psychiatrists in the Specialty Doctor, Staff Grade and other Non-Consultant Career Grade posts such as Clinical Assistant and Associate Specialist. Other job titles are sometimes used to describe such posts, and individual consideration might be given to doctors in other grades, not specified above, but who are nevertheless working in Psychiatry.

This grade enables psychiatrists who are not in training grades or substantive consultant posts, and who do not have the MRCPsych, to join the College.

Affiliateship of the College is open to registered medical practitioners working in the United Kingdom and who meet the following criteria:

• Have support from two sponsors who are subscribing Members, Fellows or Specialist Associate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Do not hold the MRCPsych qualification
• Do not hold specialist registration
• Are not in an approved training post, substantive consultant post or honorary consultant post.

The College is keen to recruit doctors in Specialty Doctor and Associate Specialist posts to Affiliateship. To see the application forms and to read more about the benefits and application process please visit the grades of membership page.