Annual Retention Process

Who needs to complete the Annual Retention Form?

All doctors practising medicine in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council. Doctors are required to renew registration on an annual basis. Failure to complete this process would result in your name being removed from the Medical Council register.

What is the process to complete Annual Retention?

The annual retention process can be completed through your Online Doctors Portal account. Doctors must submit a completed Annual Retention Application Form along with the relevant fee. You cannot renew your registration or pay the annual fee before completing the form.

When does the Annual Retention process need to be completed by?

All applications should be submitted on or before the 30th of June.

How will I know when Annual Retention needs to be completed?

An email notification will be sent in the weeks prior to the deadline; a notification will also be available through your Online Doctors Portal account.

I am currently registered in the General Division but will be commencing a training programme in July 2026. Do I need to complete the retention process?

You will be required to complete the Annual Retention Process, reflecting your current practice arrangements when completing the application form. You will be transferred to the Trainee Specialist Division once your training post commences in July.

I am currently registered in the Trainee Specialist Division but will be completing my training programme in July 2026. Do I need to complete the retention process?

You will be required to complete the Annual Retention Process, reflecting your current practice arrangements when completing the application form. You will be transferred to the General Division at the end of your training post.

I will be completing my internship in July 2026, do I need to complete the retention process?

Doctors completing their intern year are not required to complete the Annual Retention Process. If you wish to remain registered with the Medical Council, you will need to submit a Division Transfer request through your Doctors Portal account and pay the registration fee. Further information is available on our website here: Internship to General or Trainee Specialist Registration

I am registered in the Supervised Division and will have completed 2 years in supervised posts in July 2026.

Registration in the Supervised Division is usually for a maximum aggregate of 2 years in a supervised post. Doctors who have completed 2 years registration in the Supervised Division should not complete the Annual Retention Process. Please note that once your post is finished, your registration will be made inactive.

If you wish to continue your registration with the Medical Council, you will need to submit a Division Transfer request through your Doctors Portal account. Further information is available on our website here: Supervised to General or Trainee Specialist Division.