Eligibility Requirements
- Have an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification.
- Demonstrate the required level of English language proficiency.
- Create a GMC Online account.
- Have their relevant information verified by the GMC.
- Meet the GMC other registration requirements.
What is PLAB?
PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) is a two-part assessment conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC) for international medical graduates (IMGs) who qualified outside the UK and generally need to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and clinical skills required to practise medicine safely in the UK. Passing PLAB is one route to GMC registration with a licence to practise.
Who Needs to Take PLAB?
Doctors who graduated from a medical school outside the UK, European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland will generally need to take PLAB if they want to apply for GMC registration through this route. However, the GMC has other registration pathways for some international doctors, so PLAB is not the only possible route.
_1785140681.jpg)
PLAB 1
PLAB 1 is a written Applied Knowledge Test (AKT). It consists of 180 multiple-choice questions that candidates must answer within three hours. The questions focus on applying medical knowledge to patient care, including common, important, and acute conditions, as well as long-term conditions encountered in primary care.
PLAB 2
PLAB 2 is a practical Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) designed to assess clinical and communication skills. It consists of 16 scenarios, with each scenario lasting eight minutes, and is designed to reflect real-life clinical settings such as consultations and acute ward situations.
What Happens After PLAB?
PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)
After passing PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, eligible international medical graduates can apply for GMC registration with a licence to practise. The GMC's full-registration guidance also requires applicants through this route to have completed an internship and meet other requirements, including acceptable English-language evidence and document verification.
Once GMC registration is granted, doctors can work as doctors in the UK, subject to the applicable employment, immigration, and professional requirements. Full registration with a licence to practise is required for unsupervised medical practice in the NHS or UK private practice.
Important Points
- You must pass PLAB 1 before taking PLAB 2.
- You must pass PLAB 2 within two years of passing PLAB 1.
- After passing both parts, your registration application must be approved within two years of passing PLAB 2.
- PLAB has attempt limits. Candidates who fail four times may apply for one additional attempt by providing evidence of further learning over a 12-month period.
_1785141021.jpg)
Career Benefits
1. International Career Exposure
Gain experience working within the UK's established healthcare system.
2. NHS Career Opportunities
Become eligible to apply for suitable medical positions in the NHS and other healthcare settings after obtaining the required GMC registration and licence.
3. Postgraduate Training Opportunities
Explore further medical training and specialisation opportunities based on your qualifications and eligibility.
4. Diverse Medical Specialties
Build a career in areas such as medicine, surgery, emergency care, psychiatry, paediatrics, and other specialties.
5. Professional Development
Develop clinical knowledge, professional skills, and experience within the UK healthcare environment.
6. Academic & Research Opportunities
Depending on qualifications and experience, doctors may also explore opportunities in medical research, education and academia.
Test Preparations
_1785141908.jpg)
_1785141952.jpg)