PLAB: The Complete Guide for Foreign Doctors Who Want to Practise in the UK
PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) is the route the GMC (General Medical Council) requires from doctors trained outside the European Economic Area to register and practise in the NHS. It isn't a paperwork formality — it's a real, two-part exam that has to be prepared for and passed.
The two parts of the exam
PLAB 1 is a 180-question multiple-choice exam on clinical practice, taken online — also available outside the UK. PLAB 2 is a practical OSCE exam with simulated clinical stations, which does require travelling to the UK in person.
GMC registration and degree verification
The GMC validates that your degree and clinical training meet its standards before admitting you to the process.
PLAB 1 (£240)
180 multiple-choice questions on real clinical scenarios. Can be retaken at exam centres outside the UK.
PLAB 2 (£879)
In-person practical exam in the UK: OSCE stations with simulated patients assessing your clinical judgement and communication.
Licensed registration and enrolment
After passing both parts, the GMC grants licensed registration to practise in the NHS or in private healthcare.
The language requirement comes first
The GMC requires proof of IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7.5 (minimum 7.0 in each section) or OET Medicine with a minimum B in each sub-test before you can register for PLAB. The full process — from registration to licence — typically takes 3 to 9 months depending on the route and document verification.
We handle the paperwork, you prepare for the exam
Credential verification, GMC registration, documentation and process follow-up — we take care of the administrative side so you arrive at PLAB with your file already resolved.
Start my UK processCommon questions
Do I need PLAB if I'm already a specialist in my country?+
If your training wasn't completed in the EU, yes — the GMC requires the PLAB route unless you can prove equivalence through another recognition pathway specific to your specialty.
How much does the full PLAB process cost?+
PLAB 1 costs £240 and PLAB 2 costs £879, not counting GMC registration, travel to the UK for the practical part, or exam preparation.
Can I take PLAB 1 from my own country?+
Yes, PLAB 1 can be taken at exam centres outside the UK. PLAB 2, being a practical OSCE exam, requires physical presence in the UK.
What English level do I need before registering?+
IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7.5 (minimum 7.0 per section) or OET Medicine with a minimum B in each sub-test — this is a prerequisite for registration, not something you can leave for later.