
The first step to becoming a General Practitioner in the UK is to join the General Medical Council's (GMC) GP Register. For most UK graduates, this means completing a minimum of three years specialty training on a GMC approved programme, passing the MRCGP assessments and gaining a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).
For more information about a career in general practice, please visit the
Choose GP webpage by Health Education England.
The RCGP is not involved in the recruitment of GP trainees. Applications to join a GP training programme in the UK are made through the GP National Recruitment Office (NRO).
Registering with the RCGP
Once you have been accepted onto a GP training programme and assigned a Health Education England (HEE) local office or deanery you can register with the RCGP. This will give you access to our Trainee ePortfolio. You and your educational supervisors can then record your training and assessments and monitor your progress through your programme.
Training and assessment
You will complete a minimum of three years full time (or the equivalent part time) of approved clinical training. This may be longer if you are accepted onto an academic programme, an ST4 year or are awarded an educational scholarship.
If you are completing a Broad-based training (BBT) programme or have transferred into GP training through the Accreditation of Transferable Capabilites (ATC) framework, you are normally required to complete less time in a GP training programme. These programmes must be applied for at the time of application to GP training.
Throughout your training, you will document your progress in your ePortfolio and your HEE local office or deanery will hold an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) to review your progress. The documentation from your ARCP Panels will be sent to us to ensure you are on track to meet the requirements for CCT.
You should check each ARCP form carefully before signing it off as this will help to avoid delays to your CCT. Amendments must be made through your HEE local office or deanery.
At the end of your training your HEE local office or deanery will hold a final ARCP Panel. This is to determine if you have gained the required competences for licensing and met the requirements of the GP training programme, including passing the MRCGP examinations. If you meet the requirements they will sign you off from training on your ePortfolio. If you have not met these requirements, the panel may award some additional training time.
Applying for a CCT
You must apply to both the GMC and RCGP for your CCT.
Step one
The GMC will invite you to apply to them in the last four months of your training programme. This will be via the email address the GMC hold for you.
Step two
When you sign your final ARCP form and press the "Apply for CCT" button in your ePortfolio, your application to the RCGP is automatic. We will then review your evidence to check you have met the requirements and make a recommendation to the GMC to award a CCT.
Step three
The GMC will check our recommendation against your application to them and, if you are successful, will issue you with your CCT.
By law your name must be listed on the GP register before you can work in NHS general practice in any capacity. You must wait for your entry to the register before taking up employment.
You must also be included on the National Medical Performers List (NMPL) for the country in which you wish to work. There are separate lists for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, each health board runs its own performers list and there is no central list.
You must use the CEGPR route to apply for entry to the GP register if you haven't completed the three year GMC approved training programme or have been released from training and passed the exam out of programme.
Guidance documents
Inter Deanery Transfers
The National Inter Deanery Transfer (IDT) process has been put in place to support medical trainees who have had an unforeseen and significant change in circumstances since commencement of their current training programme. The process is managed by the National IDT team on behalf of the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD), Health Education England (HEE) and all UK regions.
Frequently asked questions