- GP training lasts at least three years after the Foundation Programme and combines hospital placements with time in general practice.
- You must pass the MRCGP: the Applied Knowledge Test, the Simulated Consultation Assessment, and workplace-based assessments recorded in the trainee e-portfolio.
- On completion you receive a CCT and join the GMC GP Register.
- GPs work as salaried GPs, partners, locums or portfolio doctors combining clinical work with other roles.
Why people choose General Practice
- Continuity of care and long relationships with patients and families.
- Flexible working patterns, including portfolio careers that combine clinical work with teaching, research or leadership.
- Every region has GP training programmes, so geographic choice is wider than in most specialties.
What the exams test
The AKT is a computer-based test of applied clinical knowledge and evidence; the SCA assesses consultation skills with simulated patients; workplace-based assessment records your progress in the e-portfolio. Check the RCGP site for current formats and fees.
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.