The Irish Medical Council keeps the Register of Medical Practitioners in divisions. The division decides what you may do, so choose the one that fits your training.
| Division | Who it is for | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| General Division | Doctors who completed internship (or hold an equivalent) and are not yet specialists | Practice as an NCHD in non-training and service posts |
| Trainee Specialist Division | Doctors accepted onto a recognised specialist training scheme | Practice within an approved training programme |
| Specialist Division | Doctors who completed recognised specialist training, or whose training elsewhere is accepted after assessment | Appointment as a consultant in the public health service (together with the right to practise) |
General registration (EU/EEA route)
- Recognised basic medical qualification and the Certificate of Conformity.
- Completion of an internship or equivalent experience (for Irish and some EU graduates a Certificate of Experience).
- Good standing from every regulator you have been registered with.
- English language: the Council states what evidence it needs for your category; check its current requirements.
General registration (non-EU route)
- Verify your basic degree through EPIC (the online credential-verification service the Council uses) before you apply.
- Meet the Council’s eligibility and English-language requirements.
- Pass the PRES examination, unless you are exempt. See the PRES guide.
Specialist registration
Specialist registration is granted after completing Irish Higher Specialist Training, or after an assessment of your overseas training and qualifications by the relevant Irish training body and the Medical Council. The route differs for EU/EEA specialists (automatic recognition for named specialties and titles) and non-EU specialists (individual assessment). Details are on the specialist registration page.
Fees, timing and employment
- Fees are published on the Medical Council website and are set annually, so this site does not state them.
- Applications from outside the EU can take several months. Do not give up a job elsewhere before you have a registration number.
- Non-EU doctors also need immigration permission. See the Irish government’s employment-permit and immigration pages.
Your checklist
- Choose the division that fits me
- Order a Certificate of Good Standing from each regulator
- Check the Medical Council fee page
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.