Foreign doctors other than those from the European Economic Area (the 25 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) who want to train in Britain have to satisfy registration and immigration requirements before they can take up a post. The General Medical Council adminsters the registration regulations. For details regarding career opportunities in the UK please read this document.

General information

If you wish to take up a period of limited registration (which you can do only if you are in supervised employment) you will need to provide evidence that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine in the UK. For this, you will need to pass the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board) test.

The PLAB test

The PLAB test is for overseas qualified doctors who wish to practise medicine in the UK under limited registration. The test assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely in a first appointment as a senior house officer (SHO) in a UK NHS hospital.

The test is in two parts:

Part 1 is a single paper marked by computer to a standard set

Part 2 is an objective structure clinical examination (OSCE) which tests your clinical and communication skills.

You cannot enter part 2 until you have passed part 1. You must take part 2 within three years of passing part 1. Because there is a high demand for places, particularly for part 2, you will generally have to wait between four and six months between applying for, and getting, a place. So you must make sure you apply in plenty of time.

Entry requirements

Before taking the test, you must have:

A primary medical qualification (PMQ) for limited registration as listed in the WHO Directory of Medical Schools. You can find a list of recognised Romanian medical schools at http://www.who.int/hrh/wdms/en/#R

Obtained the relevant scores in the IELTS test (academic module): a minimum of 7 as an overall score and in the speaking section, and 6 in each of the other sections – listening, academic reading, academic writing. Your pass in the IELTS test should not be more than two years old at the time of taking Part 1. If your pass in the IELTS test is more than two years old at the time you register, you will need to prove you have maintained your English language skills. Full details of this can be found at the IELTS page.

At least 12 months’ postgraduate clinical experience in a teaching hospital, or another hospital approved by the medical registration authorities in the appropriate country.

Training and work opportunities in the UK

Please remember that you will not be granted limited registration without the offer of a job. But passing PLAB does not guarantee you a job. Before you take the PLAB test, therefore, you should make sure you are well informed about opportunities for work in the UK. There are fewer vacancies in some specialities than others, for example, and there is always a delay between passing the test and securing employment.

The GMC does not hold information about vacancies, but there are a number of other routes you can try, such as

The British Medical Journal

The Health Service Journal

Jobs in Health

The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education (NACPME)

The first three carry job adverts, and the advice centre has general information about postgraduate training opportunities.

Fees

Part 1  145 GBP

Part 2  430 GBP

Cancellation fees

The fees depend on the amount of notice you give of your cancellation.

Part 1 UK

145 GBP (less than 21 days)

101 GBP (between 21 days and four months)

87 GBP (over four months)

Part 2

430 GBP (less than 21 days)

301 GBP (between 21 days and four months)

258 GBP (over four months)

Test locations and dates

Part 1 may be taken in the UK or at one of the locations overseas. The nearest exam centre is the British Council office in Sofia, Bulgaria

Part 2 may be taken in the UK only. Dates and test centres are on the GMC website.

How to apply

Complete and return an application form with the appropriate fee. The form is on the GMC website

Test results

Exact dates for the release of results are announced at the test. Results are available on the GMC website the day after the results have been sent out by post. Results are not given over the phone, by email, fax or in the GMC reception.

Part 1 – results generally available six weeks after test

Part 2 – results generally available two weeks after test

Appeals

There is no appeal against the marks you receive.

For more information, contact the General Medical Council:

Registration Services
General Medical Council
178 Great Portland Street
London W1W  5JE UK
Phone: (+44) (0) 20 7915 3630 or (+44) (0) 8453 573456
Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7915 3532
Email: registrationhepl@gmc-uk.org
www.gmc-uk.org
or The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education (NACPME)