Public Consultations
Public Consultation and Proportionality Assessment
Amendment to Registration Rules
You are invited to take part in our public consultation on changing our Registration Rules. The proposed Registration (Amendment) Rules are required to support the commencement of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Acts 2020 and 2023, next year.
These Acts introduce significant changes to the registration system and require the existing framework to be updated.
The proposed Rules include five key changes:
- Consolidation of existing Rules: Seven sets of Registration Rules will be combined into a single set of Registration Rules. Professional Indemnity Rules will remain unchanged.
- Register of Interns: Interns will no longer be registered in the Trainee Specialist Division, and a separate Register of Interns will now be established.
- Recognition of qualifications before registration: Applicants will need to have their medical degree formally recognised before applying for registration.
- Register of Adapters: A new Register of Adapters will be established primarily for certain EU/EEA citizens undertaking compensatory measures, including adaptation periods.
- English language requirements: All first-time applicants will be required to meet English language requirements.
The Medical Council is seeking the views of doctors, members of the public, individuals and organisations to share their thoughts on these changes.
The draft Rules will be subject to public consultation and a proportionality assessment before being considered by the Medical Council and progressing through the legislative process.
The draft Medical Council (Recognition and Registration) Rules 2026 can be viewed here.
We are also conducting a proportionality assessment on the proposed Registration Rules.
As part of this assessment, and in addition to the request for general feedback, we are seeking stakeholder's views in respect of the proportionality of the amendments to the Registration Rules.
How to take part
The public consultation survey is open from 3rd September to 6th October. You can provide your feedback by completing the consultation here.
An explanatory memo with further information is available here.