PLAB is the main route but it is not the only one. Depending on your qualifications, you may be able to register through another route.
| Route | For whom | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship route | Doctors sponsored by an approved UK body (for example some Royal Colleges and employers) to take up a defined role | GMC approved sponsors list |
| Approved postgraduate qualifications | Doctors holding specified postgraduate qualifications accepted in place of PLAB | GMC list of accepted qualifications |
| Medical Training Initiative (MTI) | Two-year placements for doctors from overseas to train in the UK before returning home, run with Royal Colleges | Royal College MTI pages |
| Specialist registration (CESR / CESR-CP) | Experienced specialists whose training was overseas | GMC specialist registration page |
Questions to ask before choosing
- Does this route lead to full registration with a licence to practise, or something narrower?
- Who pays, and what happens if I cannot complete the placement?
- Is the route recognised for specialty training applications?
Fees, English-test scores and dates were last checked against official sources on 24 October 2026.
This page is general education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change: always confirm with the official sources below. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice.