Registration Applications

Higher Qualifications

General Registration - Higher Qualification (HQ)

If you have qualified outside of the EU/EEA and are applying for General Registration through the Higher Qualification (HQ) route, you must meet the criteria set out below and outlined in the HQ Document Checklist.

What you need to apply

Before submitting your application online, you will need to prepare the required documents. Please read the information outlined below and in the HQ checklist before submitting your application. If you apply without the required documents, or if you do not meet the requirements for the HQ route, your application will be closed, and the application fee will not be refunded.

The following documents must be uploaded to EPIC and verified before submitting your application.

  1. Higher Qualification - Please ensure you hold a Higher Qualification that is recognised by the Irish Medical Council, the full list of Recognised Higher Qualifications is available here.
  2. Basic Medical Degree - Please ensure you have graduated from a recognised medical school by checking the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Applicants are required to provide either document 3 or 4 but not both.

  1. Internship Certificate – You must have completed an internship of at least twelve months which comprised of a minimum of three months in General Medicine and three months in General Surgery. The rotations accepted under medicine and surgery are listed on our website here. 
  2. Training Programme - You must have completed a minimum of three years in an accredited training programme. The letter/certificate submitted must confirm the name of the training programme, and the start and end date of training. Only one single training programme will be considered for this purpose.

The following documents must be uploaded to your Doctor’s Portal immediately after you have submitted your application. Please refer to the HQ checklist for information on document requirements and how to upload documents to your Doctor’s Portal.

  1. Notarised/attested copy of your current passport
  2. Documentary evidence of effective communication skills

An original Certificate of Good Standing/Current Professional Status, dated within the last 3 months, to be sent directly to the Medical Council from every registration body with whom you have held registration in the past five years.

Please do not submit any documents via postal services.

Please see instructions on how to submit your application below.

How to Apply

  • To apply for registration, you must create an online account on the Medical Council’s website. This will allow you to complete an online application form.
  • On the Login page, click on “Register Now”. Verify your email address and enter your personal details.
  • Once your account is created you will be assigned a 6-digit reference number.
  • You will then proceed to the home page of your online account.
  • A notification will appear in your outstanding tasks. Open this notification and select “Start Application” to begin your application for registration.
  • Select the category which applies to you, that is “Medical practitioners who do not meet the criteria for any of the above categories”.
  • Select “General” Division and Sub Route “Higher Qualification Route”.
  • Proceed through the application form.
  • Review your application Summary and ensure all required documents are ready for submission. The HQ Document Checklist is available here.
  • Proceed to the next step and pay the application fee to submit your application. Application fee can be found in the Fees section of our website here.
  • Once your application is submitted and all documents are received, your application will go into the queue for assessment.
  • Please note your application will not join the queue for assessment until all documents outlined in the HQ checklist are available for viewing through the appropriate
  • If you apply without the required documents, or if you do not meet the requirements for the HQ route, the application fee will not be refunded.

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.