March 11, 2022

Once you’ve completed your training, placements, and exams you’re ready to take on the world of general practice. You get to administer high-level care, diagnoses, education and support to those that need it most. You have just a couple of additional steps to complete before you can start seeing and caring for patients.

One of these elements is the General Medical Council (GMC) register. This register is a list of doctors in the UK that outlines what type of registration they hold, their training and qualifications, as well as any other useful information. In an industry that is constantly evolving with emerging technology and changing patient demands, it’s important that new doctors uphold high standards of patient care and that medical professionals across the board practice medicine consistently.

What’s on the GMC medical register?

Doctors working in the UK are required to have full registration with a licence to work in unsupervised medical practice. As well as helping to support new GPs in achieving and exceeding set standards of care, the GMC also sets out a list of what procedures you need to be able to demonstrate either on your own or under supervision.

When you search for a GP on the GMC register, you’ll be able to find details of their:

• Medical training and qualifications
• Date of registration
• Type of registration
• Licence to practice
• Practice history

GMC registration requirements

When you apply for roles at healthcare facilities, employers will check you are appropriately qualified before considering your application. As well as showing you have a license to practice, new GPs must hold the appropriate registration via the GMC. Before starting your online application to join the medical register, you will need to:

• Check you are eligible
• Compete an application
• Pay a fee
• Provide the required evidence
• Attend an identity check

To make your application as quick and easy as possible, it is a good idea to get your documents all in one place beforehand, including scanning any physical copies so that they can be accessed online as PDFs. We also recommend creating an online account with the GMC as early as possible so that you can work on your application bit by bit. To successfully submit your application the exact requirements will be unique to the individual depending on circumstances, but the key specifications are:

Evidence of your primary medical qualification and EPIC verification

Your medical degree needs to be accepted by the GMC and from a reputable university. You also need verify it through EPIC.

Evidence of your internship or experience

You will need to provide evidence that your practical knowledge and skills reaches the high standards of patient care expected of UK doctors.

Demonstrating your knowledge of English

To ensure patient safety, GPs must demonstrate proficiency in English before they can start their clinical practice.

Your passport

Once your application is approved, you will need to verify your passport in-person for ID checks.

Your certificate of good standing

If you’ve been working as a doctor overseas, the GMC expects to see evidence that you are registered as a doctor with the relevant medical authority to practice in the UK.

Your activities for the last five years

The GMC would like to know what you’ve been up for the five years after finishing your studies. This can include activities such as:

• Medical/non-medical work
• Unemployment
• Maternity leave
• Study leave
• Career breaks

Find your next GP position with Key Medical Services

If you are looking for advice on how to source assignments, our team of specialist consultants would be happy to guide you in this time. They can help you get your compliance levels up to 100% and help source the best opportunities that suit your career goals.