Please note, this information is taken directly from https://www.gmc-uk.org/

Practising medicine in the UK

To practise medicine in the UK you need to hold registration with a licence to practise. Holding a licence allows you to, for example, prescribe medicine and treat patients. If you hold a licence you must also show the General Medical Council that your knowledge and skills are up to date through regular checks on your practice, known as revalidation.

Doctors who are not practising medicine or who practise overseas can choose to hold registration without a licence to show they continue to be in good standing with us. This shows that they continue to follow the principles and standards of Good medical practice.

Doctors must be clear whether they are licensed, hold registration only, or neither. It is a criminal offence in the UK for a doctor to give the impression they hold registration or a licence, if they don't.

To stay on the register, as well as following Good medical practice, you'll need to keep your contact details up to date and pay an annual fee. 

Getting a job as a doctor in the UK

The UK welcomes doctors of all grades and experience.

When you apply for a job, employers will check you are appropriately qualified, experienced and can communicate effectively in English. It is worthwhile checking the job opportunities before you start to make an application to join the UK medical register. You may find it hard to get work as a doctor if you have been away from medical practice for a long time.

Help for international medical graduates

The NHS employers website gives a range of information for doctors from outside the European Economic Area including:

• immigration requirements 
• access to UK training 
• pay and conditions 
• evidence of right to work permissions. 

If you are new to working in the UK, find out about our free workshops, Welcome to UK practice. 

Click on the links below for further information:

Medical Licensing Assessment
Types of Registration
How to Register
Evidence you need to provide
Being honest in your application
Before you start practising
Ready to apply