GMC Registration for India-Qualified Doctors
Registration with a licence to practise from the General Medical Council (GMC) is the thing that legally lets you work as a doctor in the UK. There is more than one route to it. This page explains the routes open to India-qualified doctors, the evidence you will need, and the ongoing obligations that come with registration.
Figures and rules on this page were last checked against their official sources in July 2026 and are reviewed by their issuers periodically — confirm the current position at the linked sources before you rely on any figure.
In short
India-qualified doctors most often reach GMC registration through the PLAB route, but doctors holding an accepted UK postgraduate qualification (such as MRCP or MRCS) may register without it, and sponsorship routes exist for defined roles. All routes require evidence of English and an accepted primary medical qualification.
The routes to registration
PLAB (UK Medical Licensing Assessment)
The main route for most India-qualified doctors: evidence your English, pass PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, then apply for registration with a licence to practise within two years of passing PLAB 2.
An accepted postgraduate qualification
If you hold a UK postgraduate qualification the GMC accepts — for example membership of a Royal College such as MRCP(UK), MRCS or MRCGP — you may be able to register without PLAB. The accepted-qualification list is maintained by the GMC.
GMC-approved sponsorship
Certain royal colleges and approved sponsors can sponsor eligible doctors for registration, typically where a doctor is coming for a defined training or fellowship role. Eligibility is specific — check the sponsoring body’s criteria.
Is your qualification accepted?
The GMC accepts a primary medical qualification when it is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with the appropriate note and you have completed the required internship. India-issued MBBS qualifications are among the most common on this route. Because the exact requirements depend on your institution, your year of qualification, and your internship, confirm your specific case against the GMC’s current guidance rather than assuming.
What registration obliges you to do
Registration is not a one-time event. You pay an annual retention fee to keep your registration and licence, you must follow the GMC’s Good medical practice standards, and over a rolling cycle you take part in revalidation — periodically demonstrating you remain fit to practise. These are obligations the GMC places on every licensed doctor; they are not something a third party can do for you.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is “GMC registration with a licence to practise”?
The General Medical Council (GMC) is the UK’s independent regulator of doctors. To practise medicine in the UK you must both be registered with the GMC and hold a licence to practise. Registration confirms your identity and qualifications; the licence is what legally allows you to work as a doctor, prescribe, and sign certain documents. India-qualified doctors apply for registration with a licence to practise once they have met the English and assessment requirements.
Is my Indian MBBS accepted by the GMC?
Your primary medical qualification must be one the GMC accepts, which generally means it is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with the appropriate note, and that you completed the required internship. India-issued MBBS qualifications are widely used on this route, but you should confirm your specific institution and qualification against the GMC’s current requirements.
What evidence will I need to provide?
Typically: proof of identity, your primary medical qualification and internship, evidence of your knowledge of English (IELTS or OET), your assessment result (PLAB or an accepted alternative), and a certificate of good standing from each regulator you have been registered with — including your Indian NMC / State Medical Council. The GMC confirms the exact document list during your application.
Do I need to give up my Indian registration?
No. GMC registration is in addition to your NMC / State Medical Council registration in India — it does not replace or cancel it. You will, however, usually need a certificate of good standing from your Indian regulator as part of the GMC application.
Is there an ongoing fee after I register?
Yes. Alongside the one-off registration fee there is an annual retention fee to keep your registration and licence current, and you must take part in revalidation over time. The GMC publishes the current fees, and reduced-rate options exist for lower-income doctors.
Practise remotely while you prepare
Preparing for UK registration takes time. GeraClinic is a separate remote telemedicine platform where doctors who hold valid NMC / State Medical Council registration in India can consult with patients online, set their own hours and fee, and keep clinical skills sharp — from home, around exam preparation. It is not connected to your GMC application or any UK role.
See remote telemedicine work for doctors in IndiaMore in the India → UK doctor pathway
- Pathway overviewA plain-English, independent guide for India-qualified doctors on how to register with the GMC and work in the UK — PLAB/UKMLA, English tests, the Health and Care Worker visa, specialty registration, and NHS pay. Information only, with links to official sources.
- PLAB / UKMLA examHow the PLAB assessment works for India-trained doctors: PLAB 1 (Applied Knowledge Test) and PLAB 2 (Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment), where they are held, current fees, and the two-year registration window. Independent guidance.
- English (IELTS / OET)The English-language evidence the GMC accepts from India-qualified doctors — IELTS Academic and OET — the scores required, validity window, and how it fits with PLAB and your visa. Independent, source-linked guidance.
- Specialty routesHow India-trained specialists progress in the UK: entering the specialist or GP register via CCT or the Portfolio Pathway, and the Royal College membership exams (MRCP, MRCS, MRCGP and others). Educational overview with official links.
- NHS salaryCurrent NHS England basic pay scales by grade — resident (junior) doctor nodal points, SAS grades and consultants — with London weighting and out-of-hours enhancements explained. Figures attributed to the BMA and NHS Employers.
- Health & Care Worker visaHow the UK Health and Care Worker visa works for India-qualified doctors — the job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship requirement, reduced fees, Immigration Health Surcharge exemption, and English evidence. Information only, linking to GOV.UK.
Official sources
This guide summarises publicly available information. For the current, authoritative position, go to the primary sources: