PLAB - a guide for overseas doctors
- November 05, 2021
Passing PLAB helps the GMC ensure doctors have the knowledge & skills to practice in the UK.
The PLAB test assesses an overseas doctor's ability to work safely in the NHS, showing the GMC they have skills necessary to work at senior house officer level (SHO). IMGs from any country in the world can sit the examinations provided certain eligibility criteria are met. These are summarised below along with the following topics:
- What is the PLAB test?
- Who needs to take the PLAB test?
- How is the PLAB exam structured?
- What are the entry requirements?
- At what stage should I take the exam?
- Where and when can I sit the test?
- What does it cost?
- How do I book my test place?
- How do I prepare for PLAB?
- Do I need to bring anything to the test?
- How many times can I sit the test?
- Results
- Passed? What next?
An Overview of PLAB
PLAB is as a licensing examination to assess whether an International Medical Graduate (IMG) is eligible to obtain GMC registration.
The exam is designed to ensure that doctors who qualified abroad have the right knowledge and skills to practise medicine in the UK.
Whilst PLAB does not demonstrate proficiency in any particular specialty, it does prove that an IMG is at least as capable as an F2 or SHO.
Who needs to take the PLAB test?
If you graduated from a medical school outside the UK, EEA, or Switzerland, you probably need to sit the PLAB test or attain a recognised postgraduate qualification.
If you are an EEA doctor, and qualified at an EEA institution, then your postgraduate qualification will automatically satisfy the GMC skills and knowledge criteria and don’t need to sit PLAB.
PLAB Structure
There are two parts to the PLAB test.
PLAB 1 is a written exam made up of 180 multiple choice questions which you must answer within three hours. Each starts with a short scenario followed by a question. You need to choose the right answer out of the five possible answers given. You can sit part 1 in a number of countries, as well as in the UK.
Take a closer look at PLAB 1 here.
PLAB 2 is a practical objective structured clinical exam, known as an OSCE. It's made up of 18 scenarios, each lasting eight minutes and aims to reflect real life settings including a mock consultation or an acute ward. Part 2 tests run throughout the year at the GMC’s own clinical assessment centre in the UK, only.
Take a closer look at PLAB 2 here.
You need to pass both parts of the test before you can apply for registration with a license to practice medicine in the UK.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the PLAB test you must meet the following criteria:
- Your Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) must be awarded by an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Before starting the process, we recommend that you check that your Primary Medical Qualification is accepted in the UK.
- You must also have taken and passed the English Language Test (IELTS or OET) with the relevant scores. For IELTS you must have attained a score of at least 7.5 overall and a minimum of 7.0 for all the four language skills. For OET you must have scored at least grade B in each testing area.
- At least 12 months’ postgraduate clinical experience in a teaching hospital, or another hospital approved by the medical registration authorities in the appropriate country (the test can be taken without this experience, but the candidate will only be granted limited registration at the grade of House Officer – the grade occupied by new medical graduates).
At what stage should I take the exam?
For IMGs we recommend that you apply for the PLAB exams after the completion of an internship or house job, as that makes you eligible for full GMC registration.
However, you can sit the PLAB at any time in your career, so long as you have a recognised Primary Medical Qualification. IMGs in our community advise the earlier the better!
Before you can sit the tests, you need to set up a GMC online account and show the GMC that your medical qualification and level of English are acceptable. Once you have done that you can sit Part 1 of the PLAB test.
For further information visit the General Medical Council website.
Test Centres
Part 1 is run four times a year, both in the UK and in a number of overseas centres. A full list of dates, locations and contact details can be found here.
Part 2 can be taken in the UK only. When you book your PLAB 2 test place online, you will be able to see which venue is available for you. Currently, the main test venues are in Manchester. You can find more details here.
Cost
The fee for Part 1 of the PLAB test is currently £255
The fee for Part 2 of the PLAB test is currently £934
Booking the PLAB Test
You can book online using your GMC Online account. You will be able to view available dates and venues and book under the My Tests section.
Remember, before you book, you must have an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification and the necessary knowledge of English.
Preparation
PLAB 1 can be taken under your own preparation, but for PLAB 2 most IMGs advise that they have benefited from attending specific courses geared at this test. It is also advisable to plan ahead for PLAB 2, so that you can ensure that you can complete everything within one Visitor Visa time period (6 months).
We have explored the UK Visitor Visa for PLAB 2 in more detail here, but let’s look briefly at booking PLAB 2 in some detail as you will have to arrange a UK Visitor Visa in order to sit the test.
Take some time to consider when you want to sit the PLAB 2 exam, it takes time to study for the test itself, but you also need to start the process of your Visa application. To apply for your UK Visitor Visa, you must complete an online UK visa application for PLAB. This takes two steps, online application, and submission of supporting documents in a Visa application centre.
Remember to plan ahead! Once you have applied for your UK Visitor Visa, you must complete PLAB 2 within 6 months.
Do I need to bring anything to the test?
You will need to bring Identification, your booking confirmation and stationary.
For identification, the venue will accept any one of the following.
- Passport
- UK Immigration and Nationality Department identification document
- Home Office travel document
- Booking confirmation
For stationery
- You should bring HB pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener.
PLAB Attempts
For PLAB 1, you can take the test 4 times. If you have not passed after 4 attempts, to be eligible to take the test again you must have completed a further 12 months experience of clinical practice or post graduate qualification.
You can only apply for PLAB 2 after the results for PLAB 1 are issued. You must pass PLAB 2 within 2 years of the date you passed PLAB 1.
Results
PLAB 1 results are available around 6 weeks after you have taken the exam.
When PLAB 2 results are available the GMC will email you to provide access to the results in the ‘My Tests’ section of the GMC online account.
Passed? What next?
Once you have passed both parts of your PLAB examinations, you can apply for a full registration with a license to practice. Your application must be approved within 2 years of passing part 2 of the test. Once the GMC have approved your application, you can work as a doctor in the UK.
IMG Jobs
Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!
Get in Touch
Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.
Relevant Jobs
A fantastic opportunity awaits Histopathologists seeking a fixed-term position. This Pathology Services provides support for CESR accreditation and facilitates entry into specialty training within the NHS. The department is both high-performing and supportive, particularly welcoming overseas doctors new to the NHS or UK-based doctors seeking career advancement. They deliver pathology services to their acute hospitals and local GPs, with some laboratories offering specialized services to the wider NHS and engaging in research studies. Serving 1.76 million patients and conducting 60 million tests, the partnership has resulted in 27,000 additional community phlebotomy appointments, improved turnaround times, and streamlined workflows.
The Pathology Service thrive on a dedicated workforce leveraging cutting-edge technologies, delivering exceptional clinical services centered on patient care.
What is the Pathology Service like?
The Pathology Services comprises four pathology laboratories. These laboratories are responsible for providing pathology services to both acute hospitals and local general practitioners. Additionally, certain laboratories within the network offer specialized services to the broader NHS and engage in research studies and trials. As part of a significant initiative within the NHS, pathology services in England are undergoing reorganization, transitioning into larger local network models. This restructuring has led to the establishment of 29 pathology units nationwide.
This development positions the pathology service as an exceptionally appealing workplace, situated at the forefront of NHS innovation and digitalization in pathology. Despite these advancements, this pathology service remains committed to delivering the latest tests and services, incorporating cutting-edge clinical science into modern patient care. Currently, they manage approximately 120,000 cases with a team of 36 consultants (augmented by some outsourcing), with the capacity to expand its consultant team to 40 full-time positions.
What is the department & team like?
The Pathology Service was established following the Lord Carter review of Pathology services in England, aiming to reduce overtesting, enhance resilience, and lower costs. amalgamates staff, services, and IT platforms from four trusts to enhance pathology quality in the Black Country, serving 1.4 million individuals and conducting 60 million tests annually. It underwent a comprehensive IT system overhaul to facilitate integrated services, embrace new technologies, and expedite laboratory results.
The pathology service operates three laboratories offering nationally accredited consultant-led pathology services. With state-of-the-art facilities and IT systems, they garnered commendation from Lord Carter for its efficiency and innovation in pathology. Notably, innovations showcased during Lord Carter\'s visit in 2021 included pre-barcoded tubes for sample tracking and digital automation in microbiology labs.
Lord Carter praised the service as a model of service integration and technological advancement, emphasizing the importance of technology, including artificial intelligence, in expediting diagnostics. He commended the leadership and dedication of the staff, highlighting their achievements and commitment to patient care. The evidence is there to be seen, as latest figures show they scored 92 per cent compliance on a dashboard provided by NHS Improvement, ranking it one of the best performing services in the country
Career Development & Opportunities Available
Career development opportunities are aplenty. The Centre is one of the highest performing centres in the UK, with excellent CQC scores, a fantastic leadership team, and highly advanced specialist reporting functions. All of this provides an excellent platform for anyone to excel and develop, whether it\'s a step towards specialisation in one anatomical area, or whether it\'s advancing yourself in the world of digital pathology, the right individual can really flourish here.
Digital Pathology and AI is a massive part of what the Group are doing, and part of what makes this opportunity so exciting. Working from home, working abroad, or taking on additional workload out of hours - digital pathology is taking off. They are the most advanced Digital Pathology Service in the UK, and this provides everyone with huge opportunity to grow and develop in a really exciting global field of pathology.
Life in the West Midlands
Based is a modern industrial city situated on the midlands. It is compact, with no boundary more than four miles from the centre and is approximately a 30-minute drive to Birmingham (15 miles), 1 hour 20 minutes to Manchester (60 miles). The city is an urban, multi-ethnic city with a population of around 250,000. The wider hospital catchment area has a population of in excess of 350,000. With more than 600 shops, bars, café and restaurants, the city is not only a great place to work but also somewhere to relax and enjoy. The city centre is just a 10-minute bus ride from the Hospital.
The nearby countryside of Staffordshire and Shropshire is delightful. To the north is Cannock Chase and to the west the Shropshire borders with attractions of Bridgnorth, the Clee Hills, the Long Mynd, Wenlock Edge, and the Severn Valley. South of Wolverhampton, the City of Worcester is easily accessible, and to the west north-Wales can be reached in just over an hour. The area has a large network of canals, the majority renovated, offering adjacent housing and popular for narrow boat holidays.
Am I eligible for this role?
To be eligible for this vacancy you will need the following:
EEA candidates:
- Recognised European Medical Degree
- Specialist Qualification in Histopathology
- IELTS or OET
Non-EEA candidates:
- FRCPath
- IELTS or OET
UK-based candidates:
- Within six months of CCT or CCT Holder
This is a great opportunity for any experienced histopathologist interested in specialisation, and with interest in digital pathology.
An excellent opportunity to join the dynamic team at an esteemed organization recognized for its excellence by the CQC. This is an opportune moment to become part of the Acute Medicine and Medicine Specialties Teams. With a strong history of achievements, they are committed to delivering exceptional patient-centered care. They are seeking dynamic and motivated specialists histopathologists to become part of their welcoming and enthusiastic gastroenterology team. This presents a chance to join a dedicated histopathology team committed to delivering the highest quality comprehensive service.
This is a great opportunity for overseas consultants or specialists who want to establish themselves in the NHS, and grow their consultant career. The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.
What is the NHS Foundation Trust like?
The NHS Foundation Trust stands as one of the nation\'s largest integrated healthcare organizations, delivering both hospital and community services to a populace exceeding 650,000 individuals. Renowned for their ambition and innovation, they boast a skilled workforce comprising over 7,000 dedicated colleagues. Operating across two acute sites for hospital services and encompassing centers and community hospitals in six towns for planned care, they extend their services even to patients\' residences.
Recognized as a high-performing entity with a history of accomplishments, the Trust has functioned as an integrated acute and community services provider since 2011 and achieved foundation trust status in 2007. Guided by their strategic framework \"Our Patients Matter,\" they articulate their short- and long-term objectives and delineate the path to their realization. This framework underscores their commitment to providing the safest, most compassionate, and seamlessly coordinated care to the communities they serve.
Within this NHS Foundation Trust, medical professionals are presented with a plethora of career prospects and exposure to diverse care settings rarely encountered elsewhere. Additionally, they have the opportunity to reside and practice in some of the most culturally rich and picturesque locations across the country!
What is the Department & Team like?
The Histopathology department is dedicated to delivering precise diagnostic services crucial for patient care. Led by a team of experienced consultants and supported by junior doctors and skilled laboratory personnel, the department handles a wide array of cases across various medical disciplines. This includes examining tissue specimens for cancer diagnosis, assessing surgical margins, and identifying infectious diseases.
Equipped with advanced technology and instrumentation such as microscopes, tissue processing equipment, and digital imaging systems, the department ensures accurate diagnosis. The team collaborates closely with other departments like surgery, oncology, and radiology to ensure seamless patient care.
The department processes a significant volume of histopathology and cytology cases, providing essential information to clinicians for treatment planning and patient management. Committed to excellence and precision, the Histopathology team plays a pivotal role in delivering top-notch healthcare to the community.
What is life like in the area?
The North East of the UK offers a diverse mix of rural and urban settings, providing doctors with a range of living options. Residents can explore stunning coastal areas like Northumberland\'s beaches or venture inland to scenic national parks such as the North Pennines. The region is home to respected schools and universities, including Newcastle University. Transportation links are robust, with efficient road and rail networks connecting residents to major cities like Newcastle, Durham, and Sunderland, as well as international airports. Housing options range from quaint cottages in picturesque villages to modern apartments in vibrant city centers, catering to various lifestyles.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
- Experience of working in Histopathology
- Specialist Qualification in Histopathology
Non-EEA Candidates:
- FRCPath
- Experience of working in Histopathology
UK based applicants
- Experience of working in Histopathology
This is a good opportunity for any FRCPath or European-qualified histopathologists to join a friendly, high calibre department in the North East of England. The department are looking for experienced but hungry histopathologists to join them for a long-term post, and the trust will support candidates working on the Portfolio Pathway in Histopathology (formerly known as CESR). The trust will consider both UK and overseas applicants.
What is the NHS Foundation Trust like?
The NHS Foundation Trust serves as a district general hospital, providing essential healthcare services to the local population. Under its management, various healthcare facilities in the region. Consistent positive evaluations from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) underscore its commitment to delivering high-quality patient care, safety, and efficiency. The catchment area of this trust encompasses the north east, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive healthcare close to home. Through its services, the trust plays a vital role in promoting community health and well-being, contributing to a stronger, healthier population.
What is the department & team like?
The department have been centralized at a state-of-the-art Pathology Centre located at the NHS Foundation Trust\'s main hospital. These services cater to the local population in the North East. The consolidation of Cellular Pathology Services, completed in 2014, marks an innovative reorganization in pathology services. Satellite hot lab facilities are available at the NHS Foundation Trust\'s other sites. The NHS Foundation Trust leads this service, and the appointed individual will be contracted.
Pathologists are equipped with high-quality IT infrastructure to facilitate remote attendance at Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDTs). In cases where physical presence is required, a departmental electric car or a hopper service is available for transportation. Digital pathology implementation is underway progressively for pathologists interested in participation.
Career Development & Further Opportunities Available
The department will in time be moving towards a specialist reporting model and there will be opportunity to carve out your lead role in either the GI, head & neck, and urology sub-specialties.Life in North East
The North East of England offers a diverse mix of rural landscapes and urban centers, providing doctors with a range of living options. Residents can explore historic sites like Hadrian\'s Wall or enjoy scenic walks along the Northumberland coast. The area boasts reputable schools and universities such as Durham University. Transportation links are efficient, connecting the region to major cities like Newcastle and Sunderland, as well as airports for convenient travel. Housing options vary from picturesque villages to modern city apartments, accommodating different preferences and lifestyles.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
Non-EEA candidates:
- FRCPath
- Experience in Histopathology
EEA candidates:
- Specialist certification in Histopathology
- Experience in Histopathology
UK candidates:
- CCT, CESR or within 6-12 months of specialist registration
- Experience in Histopathology
This is a unique opportunity to work in a developing initiative that will bring immense social good to the local the people of Wales.
Short / mid / long-term ambitions for this role.
Short-term, there is the opportunity to work a close group of four international doctors, with specialist qualifications in histopathology including FRCPath. You\'ll have the opportunity to shape the careers of hungry pathologists ready to absorb all the knowledge and experience from an experienced NHS colleague like yourself.
Mid-term you\'ll be jointly responsible for the successful portfolio submissions for these individuals, helping the laboratory at Glangwili General Hospital to establish a newly qualified consultant team to provide stability and excellent pathological services for the patients of Wales, UK.
Long-term, the potential is enormous. As part of ‘A Regional Collaborative for Health’ or ARCH a regional hub for South and West Wales is being built in Swansea, to house a 30-35 consultant lead service for histopathology alone. Fully digitalised regional services for half the Welsh landmass would be provided via one central and digitalised hub.
Life in the area
It\'s a beautiful life with Wales offering beaches, beautiful forest, lakes and mountains all available to you in your free-time. It\'s a low cost of living and a a bit of a dream for the right person. We can chat more about that over our call.
The UK Lab is based in Surrey, and the facility is ISO 15189 accredited and ISO 27001 certified.
The department provides the latest technology and several years of extensive research offering highly effective treatment solutions to cancer patients for whom, multiple lines of treatment have failed.
The UK lab receives samples that are received from private practices around the UK, Europe and USA.
Responsibilities:
With roughly two hours of work needed per day, mostly remote, with twice weekly attendance onsite likely required, the pathologists responsibilities will be along the lines of the below.
- Authorisation of reports (molecular and tissue)
- Sectioning slides / assessing tumour content - to help identify which sections can be used for processing samples.
- Approving & signing reports.
- Signing out molecular reports - training will be given.
- Signing out solid organ cancer reports
- Turnaround time is required within 24-hours.
Eligibility:
- GMC registration
- Right to work in the UK
- Ability to travel twice per week to Surrey, UK.
- FRCPath or Specialist Registration is not required for this post