Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration

The Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration (CEGPR) is an alternative route to the GP Register if you are not eligible for a CCT but can demonstrate that you have achieved the knowledge, skills and experience required to work unsupervised as a general practitioner in the UK. This is likely to be because you have trained and worked as a general practitioner outside the UK.

From 30 November 2023, applications for a CEGPR are made via the new Portfolio Pathway. More pathways to the CEGPR are being developed and will be introduced by the General Medical Council in the future.

All applications via the Portfolio Pathway are considered individually and on individual merit. Qualifications accredited for MRCGP International are not automatically recognised for award of a CEGPR. Doctors holding MRCGP[INT] are eligible to make an application for a CEGPR via the Portfolio Pathway in the same way as a doctor holding any other general practice qualification. This eligibility has not changed. For more information read our FAQ number 7.

Steps to a CEGPR, the GP Register and working as a general practitioner

  1. Apply to the GMC for a CEGPR and submit a folder of evidence in line with the guidance.
  2. GMC checks your evidence is complete and passes it to the RCGP for evaluation.
  3. RCGP evaluates all evidence and makes a recommendation to the GMC.
  4. GMC reviews the recommendation and approves or declines your application for a CEGPR.
  5. If the GMC approves your application, you will be included on the GMC’s GP Register. If your application is declined, you will be given recommendations on how to meet the required standard.
  6. Apply to join the GP International Induction Programme (IIP). Successful completion of the programme will allow you entry to the National Medical Performers List, a prerequisite to working in general practice.

Am I eligible to apply?

Before you apply for a CEGPR you must either have a qualification in general practice or at least six months specific training in general practice from anywhere in the world.

How to apply for a CEGPR

This type of application takes time, requiring careful preparation of a range of reports, reflective case studies and other documents to demonstrate that you have acquired the curriculum capabilities and are practising at the standard of the curriculum. View the GP curriculum.

Before you begin your application for a CEGPR, it is important to read:

We can answer any questions you may have and offer guidance on suitable evidence to support your application.

Applications are made to the GMC online. You will need to upload supporting evidence to the GMC portal; documents may also be sent to the GMC by post. If you wish, your application can remain open for twelve months and you can upload evidence as you gather it. We recommend that you take time to read all the guidance for applicants on the GMC website. Once your application is complete, the GMC sends it to the RCGP to be evaluated and we provide a recommendation to the GMC. The final decision to award a CEGPR is made by the GMC.

If you are applying for general practice training in the UK and hoping to combine some of your previous experience (for example, in overseas posts) with your training programme, please visit our combined training page.

Resources for applicants

Streamlined processes for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa

An in-depth mapping study of curricula undertaken by the University of Exeter has shown the health care context, training and assessments in Australia to be close to the UK GP training programme. The amount of evidence required for this type of CEGPR application is therefore significantly reduced. If you trained and qualified as a general practitioner in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process.

To be eligible to apply through the SPA process, you will need to have achieved either:

  • Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) under any of the RACGP curricula from 2007 to date, following satisfactory completion of the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) programme, or
  • Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) under any of the Fellowship curricula from 2013 to date and following satisfactory completion of an approved AGPT programme.

In addition:

  • Your application for a CEGPR must be made within the ten years after gaining either FRACGP or FACRRM. During this time, it is expected that you will have maintained your skills by working in general practice. Your scope of practice and practice environment may affect how well you are able to evidence the knowledge, skills and experience required for GP registration in the UK. If you haven't trained or worked in general practice for several years it may be difficult for you to evidence the skills and competences required. Most weight will be given to experience as a general practitioner in the five years preceding your application for a CEGPR.

The evidence you submit to the GMC should focus on your experience as a general practitioner post training. If you gained your FRACGP or FACRRM in the twelve months preceding your application for a CEGPR and have only worked for a short time in independent practice, you will need to refer to the section of the Specialty Specific Guidance for CEGPR (SPA) which applies to you. 

If you achieved FRACGP via an alternative route, you will not be able to apply for a CEGPR through the streamlined process but you may wish to apply for a standard CEGPR.

How to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process for Australia

  • Write to the GMC Specialist Applications Team at portfolio@gmc-uk.org copying in cegpr@rcgp.org.uk and with CEGPR SPA in the subject field of your email.
  • Ensure you attach your CV to your email.
  • The GMC will determine whether you are eligible to apply and if you are, the GMC will send you the application form and the Specialty Specific Guidance for CEGPR (SPA). 
  • The GMC will guide you through the application process and will tell you how to upload or send your documentary evidence. You can also contact the RCGP at the address below if you are unsure what to include or if you have any questions about selecting and presenting your evidence.

While the RCGP will be asked to evaluate your evidence and provide a recommendation, the final decision to award a CEGPR is made by the GMC. Once you have gained a CEGPR you are automatically included in the GP Register. 

An in-depth mapping study of curricula undertaken by the University of Exeter has shown the health care context, training and assessments in Canada to be close in many aspects to the UK GP training programme. The amount of evidence required for this type of CEGPR application is therefore reduced. If you trained and qualified as a general practitioner in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process.

To be eligible to apply through the SPC process, you will need to have achieved:

  • Certification in Family Medicine (CCFP) with the College of Family Physicians of Canada under any of the CanMEDS-Family Medicine curricula from 2009 to date, following satisfactory completion of the two-year clinical training programme.
  • At least two years' whole time experience (or the equivalent part time) working unsupervised as a fully licensed family physician in Canada, but not exclusively in remote rural practice. If you completed a third year of enhanced skills training for the Certificate of Added Competency (CAC) in one of the areas listed below, it can contribute one year towards this requirement.

    - Addiction medicine 
    - Care of the elderly 
    - Emergency medicine
    - Palliative care
    - Sport and exercise medicine.

In addition:

  • Your application for a CEGPR must be made within the ten years after gaining CCFP. During this time, it is expected that you will have maintained your skills by working in general practice. Your scope of practice and practice environment may affect how well you are able to evidence the knowledge, skills and experience required for GP registration in the UK. If you haven't trained or worked in general practice for several years it may be difficult for you to evidence the skills and competences required. Most weight will be given to experience as a general practitioner in the five years preceding your application for a CEGPR.

If you registered as a family physician in Canada via an alternative route, you will not be able to apply for a CEGPR through the streamlined process but you may wish to apply for a standard CEGPR.

How to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process for Canada

  • Write to the GMC Specialist Applications Team at portfolio@gmc-uk.org copying in cegpr@rcgp.org.uk and with CEGPR SPC in the subject field of your email.
  • Ensure you attach your CV to your email.
  • The GMC will determine whether you are eligible to apply and if you are, the GMC will send you the application form and the Specialty Specific Guidance for CEGPR (SPC). 
  • The GMC will guide you through the application process and will tell you how to upload or send your documentary evidence. You can also contact the RCGP at the address below if you are unsure what to include or if you have any questions about selecting and presenting your evidence.

While the RCGP will be asked to evaluate your evidence and provide a recommendation, the final decision to award a CEGPR is made by the GMC. Once you have gained a CEGPR you are automatically included in the GP Register.

An in-depth mapping study of curricula undertaken by the University of Exeter has shown the health care context, training and assessments in New Zealand to be close to the UK GP training programme. The amount of evidence required for this type of CEGPR application is therefore significantly reduced. If you trained and qualified as a general practitioner in New Zealand, you may be eligible to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process.

To be eligible to apply through the SPNZ process, you will need to have achieved either:

  • Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP) under any of the RNZCGP curricula from 2012 to date, following satisfactory completion of the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP) programme, or
  • Dual fellowship training in general practice and rural hospital medicine leading to the award of FRNZCGP and Fellowship of the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine (FDRHMNZ). This should follow satisfactory completion of the Rural Hospital Training Programme in parallel with the General Practice Education Programme under any of the RNZCGP curricula from 2012 to date.

In addition:

  • Your application for a CEGPR must be made within the ten years after gaining FRNZCGP. During this time, it is expected that you will have maintained your skills by working in general practice. Your scope of practice and practice environment may affect how well you are able to evidence the knowledge, skills and experience required for GP registration in the UK. If you haven't trained or worked in general practice for several years it may be difficult for you to evidence the skills and competences required. Most weight will be given to experience as a general practitioner in the five years preceding your application for a CEGPR.

The evidence you submit to the GMC should focus on your experience as a general practitioner post training. If you gained your FRNZCGP in the twelve months preceding your application for a CEGPR and have only worked for a short time in independent practice, you will need to refer to the section of the Specialty Specific Guidance for CEGPR (SPNZ) which applies to you. 

If you achieved FRNZCGP via an alternative route or if you have completed rural hospital training leading only to the award of FDRHMNZ, you will not be able to apply for a CEGPR through the streamlined process but you may wish to apply for a standard CEGPR.

How to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process for New Zealand

  • Write to the GMC Specialist Applications Team at portfolio@gmc-uk.org copying in cegpr@rcgp.org.uk and with CEGPR SPNZ in the subject field of your email.
  • Ensure you attach your CV to your email.
  • The GMC will determine whether you are eligible to apply and if you are, the GMC will send you the application form and the Specialty Specific Guidance for CEGPR (SPNZ). 
  • The GMC will guide you through the application process and will tell you how to upload or send your documentary evidence. You can also contact the RCGP at the address below if you are unsure what to include or if you have any questions about selecting and presenting your evidence.

While the RCGP will be asked to evaluate your evidence and provide a recommendation, the final decision to award a CEGPR is made by the GMC. Once you have gained a CEGPR you are automatically included in the GP Register. 

An in-depth mapping study of curricula undertaken by the University of Exeter has shown the health care context, training and assessments in South Africa to be close in many aspects to the UK GP training programme. The amount of evidence required for this type of CEGPR application is therefore reduced. If you trained and qualified as a general practitioner in South Africa, you may be eligible to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process.

To be eligible to apply through the SPSA process, you will need to have achieved:

  • Fellowship of the College of Family Physicians of South Africa (FCFP(SA)) under any of the College of Family Physicians curricula from 2007 to date, following satisfactory completion of the MMed (Master of Medicine in Family Medicine) four-year clinical training programme.

In addition:

  • Your application for a CEGPR must be made within the ten years after gaining FCFP(SA). During this time, it is expected that you will have maintained your skills by working in general practice. Your scope of practice and practice environment may affect how well you are able to evidence the knowledge, skills and experience required for GP registration in the UK. If you haven't trained or worked in general practice for several years it may be difficult for you to evidence the skills and competences required. Most weight will be given to experience as a general practitioner in the five years preceding your application for a CEGPR.

The evidence you submit to the GMC should focus on your experience as a general practitioner post training. If you gained your FCFP (SA) in the twelve months preceding your application for a CEGPR and have only worked for a short time in independent practice, you will need to refer to the section of the Specialty Specific Guidance for CEGPR (SPSA) which applies to you.

If you achieved H Dip Fam Med (SA) or another GP qualification in South Africa you will not be able to apply through the streamlined process but you may wish to apply for a standard CEGPR.

How to apply for a CEGPR via the streamlined process for South Africa

  • Write to the GMC Specialist Applications Team at portfolio@gmc-uk.org copying in cegpr@rcgp.org.uk and with CEGPR SPSA in the subject field of your email.
  • Ensure you attach your CV to your email.
  • The GMC will determine whether you are eligible to apply and if you are, the GMC will send you the application form and the Specialty Specific Guidance for CEGPR (SPSA). 
  • The GMC will guide you through the application process and will tell you how to upload or send your documentary evidence. You can also contact the RCGP at the address below if you are unsure what to include or if you have any questions about selecting and presenting your evidence.

While the RCGP will be asked to evaluate your evidence and provide a recommendation, the final decision to award a CEGPR is made by the GMC. Once you have gained a CEGPR you are automatically included in the GP Register. 

Application Fee

The fee for a CEGPR is set by the GMC. NHS England offers a support package, including help with fees, to all applicants moving to England to work in general practice. See our section about help with fees and other support.

Final steps to independent practice

Once you have gained a CEGPR you are automatically included in the GP Register. The next step is to complete a short programme of supervised induction. You can register for the GP International Induction Programme (IIP) through the GP National Recruitment Office website. You will be included on the National Medical Performers List after completing your induction. Once this is confirmed, you can accept a post in independent practice.

Becoming a member of the College

Since May 2021, doctors who achieved a CEGPR and have been on the GP Register for five years are eligible to apply for membership of the College (MRCGP).

Contact us

If you have any questions about applying for a CEGPR contact our GP Specialist Applications team on:

Tel: 020 3188 7656
Tel: + 44 20 3188 7656 from outside the UK
Email: gpsa@rcgp.org.uk