Brexit

Information for UK qualified doctors

I have a UK qualification and I am already registered with the Medical Council

All doctors who are currently on the register with UK qualifications will remain on the register as their qualifications have already been recognised.

I have a UK qualification and previously held registration with the Medical Council. Can I apply to restore my name to the register?

Doctors with UK qualifications who previously held registration can apply to restore their name to the register at any time as their qualifications have already been recognised.

I have a UK qualification and I would like to apply for registration in Ireland

Doctors qualified in the UK are no longer entitled to the privilege of automatic recognition of their qualifications under EU legislation and the UK has become what is termed as a “third country”, i.e. non-EU. Applications from doctors with UK qualifications are now processed in the same way as other applications from doctors who have qualified outside the EU. This may mean that the process takes longer.

Doctors seeking General registration with the Medical Council coming from third countries are required to pass or be exempt from the Pre-Registration Examination System, the “PRES”

Exemptions from the PRES can be granted if:

1. Doctor has completed their internship / Foundation Year 1 in the UK and issued a Certificate of Experience/ Internship Certificate
2. Doctor has been awarded a listed higher qualification and has either: Undertaken an internship of at least twelve months which comprised of a minimum of two months in medicine in general and two months in surgery in general

OR

Completed a minimum of two years in an accredited training programme.

Doctors who have qualified in the UK should review the information set out at the following link which sets out the grounds for exemption from the PRES, here.

Any applicant should be aware that the Council will determine if an applicant is entitled to an exemption from the PRES. Should the Council determine an exemption does not apply then the applicant would be required to undertake the PRES process.

I have a UK qualification. Do I need to verify my medical credentials through EPIC before making an application for General registration?

Following Brexit, the UK is now considered a third country and UK qualified doctors applying for General registration are required to have their medical education credentials primary source verified in advance of making their application for registration.

I am a doctor established in the UK. Can I apply for Visiting EEA registration?

Article 5 of the EU Directive 2005/36/EC makes provision for a doctor who is established in a Member State to provide services, on a temporary and occasional basis, in another Member State and they can apply for Visiting EEA registration. Following Brexit, the UK is no longer be part of the EU and doctors based there are not eligible to apply for Visiting EEA registration.