<p>The COVID-19 crisis has increased the need for medical professionals to work abroad to meet the growing demands on healthcare systems with skills shortages. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to work in the UK as a doctor from overseas. </p>
<h2>The UK’s Healthcare System</h2>
<p>The UK’s NHS is one of the most developed healthcare systems in the world. Working in the UK as an overseas doctor will expose you to world-class research, technology, benefits, training, and development in your medical career. </p>
<p>Before you can start working in the UK as an international doctor, you need to learn the terms of international employment and the requirements you must meet to qualify to work in the country. </p>
<h2>Working As A Doctor In the UK </h2>
<p>International doctors who want to work in the UK must hold registration with a license to practice. This means they must also prove that their knowledge and skills are up-to-date by regular checks or revalidation. </p>
<p>The UK allows doctors to hold registration without a license if they practice overseas or are currently not practicing medicine. One important thing to remember is that every doctor must clarify whether you hold registration with or without a license.</p>
<h2>Registration </h2>
<p>Doctors who want to practice medicine in the UK must register with the <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/what-doctors-need-to-know-about-the-uks-gmc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">General Medical Council (GMC)</a>. The <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/what-doctors-need-to-know-about-the-uks-gmc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GMC</a> issues doctors the license to practice whether they work with the NHS or independently. </p>
<p><strong>The requirements for registration in the UK will depend on factors such as:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Your nationality</li><li>The country in which you obtained your primary medical qualification</li><li>The type of work you want to do</li><li>Whether you have completed postgraduate training or an internship</li></ul>
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<p>In addition to registration and licensing, doctors in the UK must go through revalidation continuously to verify that they are fit to practice within the UK. Doctors trained overseas can apply for one or more types of registration in the UK, including:</p>
<h3>1. Provisional Registration</h3>
<p>Provisional registration is available for newly qualified doctors, who can apply for the full GMC registration upon completion of the Foundation Year 1 program. Applicants, however, must meet the <a href="http://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/provisional-registration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">full terms and qualifications</a>. You can take your F1 year in or outside the UK. </p>
<p><strong>If you take your F1 overseas, you must:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Provide prior confirmation from your medical school that they provide support for overseas training</li><li>Prior guarantee from your local foundation school that they will have oversight for the quality of training </li><li>Hold provisional registration with the GMC as you take your approved overseas training</li><li>Be appropriately registered with the regulatory authority where you will be working</li></ul>
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<p>Once you complete your training, the medical school will sign off your certificate of experience, which allows you to apply for full registration. </p>
<h3>2. Full Registration </h3>
<p>Full registration allows you to work in the UK in any professional medical practice, as long as you have the right license to practice. International doctors can apply for full registration if they hold an acceptable primary medical qualification and have completed a period of internship or postgraduate clinical experience. </p>
<p>For full registration, applicants must provide documentary evidence to support their application (original documents) and visit the GMC in person for a pre-registration identity test. During the test, the GMC will take your photograph and provide it to all employers.</p>
<h3>3. Specialist and GP Registration</h3>
<p>Consultants practicing in the UK must be on the specialist register of the GMC. <strong>Doctors are eligible for specialist and GP registration if they have completed a GMC-approved program and have either:</strong></p>
<ul><li>A Certificate of Completion of Training, or</li><li>A Certificate of Confirming Eligibility for Specialist Registration </li></ul>
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<p>Doctors must also hold full registration to be eligible for special and GP registration. </p>
<h3>Other Requirements</h3>
<p><strong>In addition to registration, doctors who want to work abroad must:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Have the necessary knowledge of English</li><li>Provide proof of identity and nationality</li><li>Provide details of medical and non-medical experience and activities</li><li>Provide Certificates of Good Standing from every medical regulatory authority you have registered to for the past five years</li><li>Complete declarations about your fitness to practice</li></ul>
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<h2>How to Apply for Registration in the UK</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/unnamed-2-1-1024x535.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12552" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/unnamed-2-1-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/unnamed-2-1-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/unnamed-2-1-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/unnamed-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>There are many employment opportunities for those who want to work in the UK as a doctor as long as they meet UK requirements</figcaption></figure>
<p><strong>To apply to join the GMC register, you need to:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Check for eligibility and the type of application that applies to you </li><li>Complete the application</li><li>Pay the required fee</li><li>Provide the required evidence</li><li>Complete an identity-check</li></ul>
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<p>You will <a href="https://extgenmedcouncil.b2clogin.com/extgenmedcouncil.onmicrosoft.com/b2c_1a_usersigninormigrategmconline/oauth2/v2.0/authorize?client_id=3eefbe1b-46c1-4806-adf4-e0c12a9f66d7&response_mode=form_post&response_type=code+id_token&scope=openid+profile&state=OpenIdConnect.AuthenticationProperties%3dqv_1bD8vJtkhiWSAIklQ3BBxb8pkg-rl4Ac946SEIh0onNt94_j9iT5wVRnJ_q4YCGgXbOa06J9BXP7uDF4FP-bfmjLnXEUrXh_IG6igSC4Ut1BO-7XXyvC7zq44WsdnjSxr4k7pB0kYpzMb3sUXmuKLrd4t9RPFzJwMhqTe3Uw&nonce=637692051007403984.NGRjNjBhNTgtODQ0My00NGE2LTk0OTctZjgwNmYxNDhiNGU1ZDAyNGMxYzItMWNhZi00YTdkLTg2NzQtNTdmZjg3OGFiMTc2&redirect_uri=https%3a%2f%2fwww.gmc-uk.org&app=GMCOnline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complete the application process online</a> and fill in personal, work, and experience details. Once you complete the application, you will receive an email with the evidence you need to provide to proceed with the application. </p>
<p>You will need to scan all your documents and send them as a PDF file within 28 days of receiving the email. The GMC will assess your application within five days. If they require further evidence, you will need to scan the required documents and upload them within 14 days. Your application is complete if the GMC does not require further evidence.</p>
<p>After completing the application, the GMC will send you an invite to attend an ID check within three months of the invitation. The application will be closed if you fail to complete the ID check within the given timeline. </p>
<p>If you attend the ID, the GMC will grant your registration if you present all the required evidence during the ID check. </p>
<p><strong>Some of the evidence you need to provide for registration include:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Proof of your knowledge of the English language (<a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/ielts-101-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IELTS</a> or <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/oet-what-you-should-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OET</a>)</li><li>Evidence of your fitness to practice, including employer referrals, post-graduate experience or internship, certificates of good standing from medical regulatory authorities that you have been registered or licensed with. </li><li><a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueproofs-what-can-you-do-with-your-verified-documents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Primary Source Verification</a>; the GMC requires medical professionals trained overseas to have their primary medical qualifications and supporting documents verified independently before they can obtain registration with a license to practice. You can provide your verified credentials through your TrueProfile.io profile for international employment. </li><li>Acceptable primary medical qualification</li></ul>
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<p><strong>Evidence of your knowledge and skills by:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Passing the<a href="https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-the-register/plab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> PLAB test</a></li><li>Having an acceptable postgraduate qualification</li><li>Sponsorship from an approved sponsor</li><li>Eligibility for entry onto the specialist or GP register</li></ul>
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<p>Before the GMC allows you to work as a doctor in the UK, they will verify the information you provide in your application. They will contact former employers, regulatory bodies, institutions, and referees to determine whether to approve your registration. </p>
<p>If they cannot verify the information on your application, the GMC will refuse your application or withdraw your approved registration. </p>
<h2>After Registration and Licensing</h2>
<p>After the GMC approves and grants your application for registration with a license to practice in the UK, <strong>you need to prepare yourself to work abroad by:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Getting adequate insurance and indemnity cover for the full scope of your practice</li><li>Work in an approved practice setting, if this applies to you</li><li>Get on the <a href="https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/the-medical-register" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GP register</a> if you will be working as a GP in the UK. You must also apply to join a GP performers list and an international induction and return to practice program with an appropriate organization. </li></ul>
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<h2>In Summary</h2>
<p>There are many employment opportunities for those who want to work in the UK as a doctor as long as they meet UK requirements. You can find medical jobs through<a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> TrueProfile.io Jobs</a> and the NHS job sites and proceed to apply for registration to work abroad as a doctor. By verifying your<a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/documents-overseas-doctors-need-to-work-in-the-uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> required documents</a> with TrueProfile.io ahead of time, you will increase your chances of attracting international employers and recruiters and starting your dream job in the UK. </p>
<h4>Interested in becoming a doctor in the UK? Search and apply for job vacancies with <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProfile.io Jobs</a>!</h4>
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