Working as a doctor in the UK with an overseas qualification

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Start with the correct GMC route

A general qualification comparison is insufficient for work as a doctor. You need appropriate General Medical Council registration and a licence to practise. The route depends on where you qualified, internship, experience and examinations already passed.

The GMC guide for international medical graduates ↗ describes a particular PLAB route to full registration: both parts passed within the previous two years and a suitable internship completed. It is not the only possible route for every overseas doctor. Confirm which route applies before buying exam preparation.

Check the qualification and experience

First establish whether your primary medical qualification meets GMC acceptability criteria. It then needs independent primary source verification ↗. An ordinary translation or UK ENIC comparison does not replace this.

The internship requirements ↗ consider duration, continuity and medicine/surgery rotations. Prepare official evidence of dates and departments, rather than relying solely on an employment record. If your training differed, check whether alternative experience is acceptable before applying.

Demonstrate English

For standard examination evidence, GMC's IELTS Academic requirements ↗ are at least 7.0 in each component and 7.5 overall. For OET Medicine ↗, the minimum is B in every component. Check the detailed validity, format and one-component retake rules before booking.

Certificates normally remain valid for two years, with different relevant dates for PLAB 1 and registration. Plan so that English evidence remains acceptable at the next stage. GMC considers other forms of evidence under their own conditions.

Prepare the application and budget

Follow the current checklist for your route: passport, qualification, experience, certificate of good standing, activities during the previous five years, fitness-to-practise declarations and translations. Use the specified GMC application and identity-check channels.

Budget for exams, verification, translations, registration fees and travel. The total depends on the route and any repeat attempts. Registration, an NHS job offer and immigration permission are separate processes. Check the requirements of the particular post and specialist career route rather than assuming your previous professional level transfers automatically.