The Stages of Application

Abstract

A doctor can apply for a CESR in psychiatry if they can demonstrate to the GMC that they have six months of training in the specialty being applied for and/or a postgraduate qualification in the specialty attained anywhere in the world. Once successful in their application, the doctor is entered onto the Specialist Register for a psychiatry specialty, that is, given 'specialist registration' by the GMC. If they are overseas doctors who at the point of application do not have GMC registration at all, they are given both full GMC registration and specialist registration at the same time.To practise medicine in the UK, all doctors need to hold registration with a licence to practise, undergo annual appraisal and participate in revalidation every five years. In addition, doctors also pay an annual fee. 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 the GMC. This shows that they continue to follow the principles and standards of good medical practice. Why Apply for Specialist Registration?The final aim of a CESR application is to attain specialist registration with the GMC and to be included on the Specialist Register. It is an acknowledgement of the applicant's knowledge, skills and competences to practise as a consultant in the UK.