A Step-by-Step Guide to GMC Registration for IMGs
PLAB, MRCP, MRCGP, sponsorship — the GMC pathway has more doors than it needs. Here's the shortest safe route in 2026.
The documents you need first
GMC registration is not one route but a small collection of them, and choosing the wrong door can add a year to your journey. This guide walks through the practical steps most international medical graduates take in 2026.
GMC registration is not one route but a small collection of them — and choosing the wrong door can add a year to your journey.
Proving your English
Start with the basics. You'll need a primary medical qualification the GMC recognises, evidence of internship, and one of the accepted English tests — usually OET Grade B or IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each sub-skill.
The PLAB route
The most common route is PLAB. PLAB 1 is a written exam sat overseas or in the UK; PLAB 2 is a practical OSCE-style test sat in Manchester. Book PLAB 1 as soon as your English is in place.
Royal College and specialist routes
Specialists have alternative routes. A Royal College membership examination such as MRCP, MRCS, MRCPsych, MRCOG or MRCGP can qualify you for a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist or General Practice Registration (CESR or CEGPR). These take longer but bypass PLAB entirely.
Finding a sponsoring NHS trust
Either way, you'll need a sponsoring NHS Trust for your first substantive role, and NHS employers still favour candidates who have already sat their exams — so start your revision early. WispGold's Royal College courses are built exactly for this stage.
Frequently asked questions
More answers on our FAQs page, or ask an advisor directly.