Registration Applications

Registration Rules and Exemptions

Doctors who have qualified outside of the EU/EEA may be exempt from the PRES, if they meet the criteria set out below.

Please read the requirements in full before submitting an application for registration. If you apply without the required documents, or if you do not meet the requirements for the route you have applied through, your application will be closed, and the application fee will not be refunded.

1. Certificate of Experience (COE) Route
Doctors who have been awarded a document which is considered by the Medical Council to be at least the equivalent of an Irish Internship may be exempt from the PRES. For full requirements and guidance on how to apply, please review the webpage: General Registration - Certificate of Experience.

2. Higher Qualification (HQ) Route
Doctors who have been awarded a higher qualification which has been recognised by the Medical Council for the purposes of PRES exemption may apply through this route. For full requirements and guidance on how to apply, please review the webpage: General Registration - Higher Qualification.

3. PLAB 2
Doctors who have passed the UK General Medical Council’s Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) Part 2 may be exempt from the PRES.

PLAB 2 FAQs

Q1. I passed the PLAB 2, am I exempt from the PRES?

Yes. The Medical Council has agreed that applicants for General registration who successfully pass PLAB 2 may be admitted to the Medical Council of Ireland’s register and are not required to sit the PRES. Doctors must meet all requirements for registration, including English language standards and the fit and proper criteria.

To apply for registration with an exemption from the PRES exam, submit an online application for General registration via the PRES route. You will be given an option to select the PLAB 2 and when uploading your supporting documents, remember to include the email you received from the GMC which confirmed your success in the PLAB 2.

Please note that if it is more than 3 years since you passed the PLAB 2 and you have not practiced medicine during that period, your recency of practice will be reviewed in line with the Medical Council’s Fit and Proper Policy, available to view here.

Q2. I passed the PLAB 2, how can I apply for General registration?

Submit an online application for General registration via the PRES route. You will be given an option to select the PLAB 2 and when uploading your supporting documents, remember to include the email you received from the GMC which confirmed your success in the PLAB 2.

Information on applying for registration can be found here.

Please note that if it is more than 3 years since you passed the PLAB 2 and you have not practiced medicine during that period, your recency of practice will be reviewed in line with the Medical Council’s Fit and Proper Policy, available to view here.

Q3. I have applied for registration with the Medical Council via the PRES route. I passed the PLAB 2, how do I activate my registration?

When you passed the PLAB 2 you were issued an email by the GMC with your result details. Send a copy of that email along with your full name and Medical Council reference number to PRES@mcirl.ie.

Once we have verified your results with the GMC, we will contact you with guidance on how to activate your registration.

Please note that if it is more than 3 years since you passed the PLAB 2 and you have not practiced medicine during that period, your recency of practice will be reviewed in line with the Medical Council’s Fit and Proper Policy, available to view here.

Q4. I am waiting to sit the PRES 3, can I sit the PLAB 2?

Yes. You can sit the PLAB 2 while waiting to be offered a place in the PRES 3. If you are successful in the PLAB 2, you will be exempt from the PRES 3 and deemed eligible for registration provided you meet all other requirements for registration. Please remember that you need to pass the PLAB 1 before you can apply to sit the PLAB 2.

Q5. I passed the PLAB 2 more than 3 years ago. Is it still accepted?

If it is more than 3 years since you passed the PLAB 2 and you have not practiced medicine during that period, your recency of practice will be reviewed in line with the Medical Council’s Fit and Proper Policy, available to view here.

Q6. I passed the PRES 2. Can I apply to sit the PLAB 2?

No. There is no reciprocal arrangement with the GMC to recognise the PRES 2. Applicants must pass the PLAB 1 before they can apply to sit the PLAB 2.

Q7. How can I apply to sit the PLAB?

Applications to sit the PLAB must be made directly with the GMC. Please note that the GMC require applicants to pass the PLAB 1 before applying to sit the PLAB 2

For further information on eligibility and booking a place in the PLAB exams is available at the links below:

Information on booking a PLAB 1 place - PLAB 1 guide - GMC

Information on booking a PLAB 2 place - PLAB 2 guide – GMC

Q8. I passed the PLAB 2 and paid for a place in the PRES 3 – do I get a refund?

If you have paid to sit the PRES 3 but have passed the PLAB 2, please send us in a copy of the email you received from the GMC confirming your success in the PLAB 2. This should be sent to PRES@mcirl.ie  and please remember to include your full name and registration number. We will then verify your results with the GMC.

A refund of the PRES 3 application fee can be offered to applicants who submit their PLAB 2 result before the deadline for withdrawal from the exam.

 

About Us

The Medical Council regulates medical doctors in Ireland. The Council’s purpose is to protect the public by promoting and better ensuring high standards of professional conduct, education, training, and competence among doctors.