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.
Dr Anika Verma
Internal medicine physician and lead tutor for Gulf, Saudi and UK licensing exams.
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