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CESR - a comprehensive guide for psychiatrists

• January 20, 2022

 

IMGs from any country in the world can apply for Specialist Registration, provided certain eligibility criteria are met, though there are different routes available based on a doctor’s qualifications and training. 

Here we explore specialist registration in psychiatry for overseas consultant psychiatrists and specialists more closely. We’ll cover the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) in more detail, including the application process, costs, and eligibility criteria, along with some other topics, summarised in the headings below: 

• What is Specialist Registration?
• What route to Specialist Registration is best for me as an overseas psychiatrist?
• Do I have to complete CESR before I can work in the UK?
• Do I need MRCPsych for Specialist Registration?
• What is the CESR equivalence process?
• What evidence do I need to submit for a CESR in psychiatry?
• How much does CESR cost?
• How long is the CESR application process?
• #IMG Tips
• How do I get started?

Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you’re looking for. 

Specialist Registration 

Specialist registration in any specialty means that you can be appointed to a substantive (permanent) consultant position in the NHS. All psychiatrists who wish to take permanent consultant roles in the UK must show evidence of skills, knowledge, and experience in order to apply for Specialist Registration.  

For psychiatrists, attaining specialist registration will mean you are qualified to practice independently as a consultant in the NHS.  

Specialist Registration is additional to full registration with the GMC and is therefore not required to practice as a psychiatrist in the UK. 

Routes to Specialist Registration 

There are three types of certificates issued by the GMC for specialist registration, and the type of certificate you receive depends on which training route you followed. 

For overseas doctors who have completed their full training outside a GMC-approved training programme, CESR is the route they will usually take towards attaining specialist registration. This route does not require further training, rather the submission of an application.  

Doctors who have trained outside the UK or Switzerland, but within an EEA country, will be awarded CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) after a successful specialist registration application. Specialist Certifications from across the EU are deemed as equivalent by the GMC, and therefore a straightforward application can be made. You can read more about this in the Specialist Registration section under your country on the GMC website here. 

Psychiatry Positions in the NHS without CESR 

It is important to note that you can apply for more senior psychiatry roles such as a specialty doctor (SAS), specialist grade or a locum consultant without being on the Specialist Register. 

Similarly, overseas doctors do not require CESR before moving to the UK to work in the NHS. 

In these NHS roles, you will have better pay and responsibilities that are more appropriate to your level of experience compared to a trainee. While working in these positions, you can collect evidence of your competences, particularly those specific to the UK psychiatry curriculum. 

These positions also facilitate a faster route to the UK than the CESR route, which can take a substantial amount of time. 

MRCPsych for Specialist Registration 

Whilst it is always beneficial to complete MRCPsych, overseas doctors looking to join the Specialist Register do not necessarily need to have completed the Royal College postgraduate exams. 

The standard test of knowledge in the CCT curriculum is the MRCPsych exam, so passing these exams confirms the attainment of the competencies of the Core Curriculum. 

MRCPsych is only a requirement for doctors looking to attain Specialist Registration via the CCT route. 

However, if CESR applicants have not successfully completed these exams, they must provide alternative evidence that demonstrates equivalent knowledge to psychiatrists who have passed the MRCPsych exams. 

Even if the competencies covered by the exam require something that someone in your position would not routinely undertake (in your sub-specialty for example), you must still provide evidence of it – as the evaluators will not make assumptions outside the evidence presented. 

CESR Equivalence Process 

Equivalence describes the process of assessing an overseas applicant’s training and experience against the current psychiatry training programme requirements, in order to be awarded CESR. 

The equivalence process involves submitting a written body of evidence to the GMC, consisting of: 

• training and/or competence 
• skills and knowledge 

The Royal College of Psychiatrists will assess each application against the relevant Curriculum before providing a recommendation to the GMC, who will then make a decision. 

Please note that Equivalence procedures are the responsibility of the GMC. Applications are made through their Certification Department and initial enquiries should be directed there. 

Evidence Requirements for CESR in Psychiatry 

Skills & Experience: The evidence provided for a CESR application in psychiatry must cover the knowledge, skills, and qualifications to demonstrate the required competencies in all areas of the General Psychiatry Curriculum, and the Advanced Module in the sub-specialty you are applying in. If evidence is missing from any area of the curriculum, the application will fail. 

Primary Evidence: To demonstrate that you can do what is required by the curriculum, you need to submit primary evidence of your clinical practice which shows how you work on a day-to-day basis: letters, reports, assessments etc. References, retrospective case summaries, and reflective notes can all be used in a CESR application, but by themselves they are not sufficient. 

Audit and Governance: You are required to submit evidence of your active leadership in audit, including evidence that you have completed at least one audit cycle 

Currency of evidence: Your evaluators will be looking for evidence of current competency, generally defined as within the last five years. If you have completed training before this point, it is crucial that you provide evidence of maintaining competency across the whole area of the curriculum.  

The GMC asks that only evidence that is strictly relevant is sent as it will help them to process the application quicker. The guidance on compiling your evidence will help you to decide what is relevant and what is not – you can find this on the GMC website here. 

As a general guide, the GMC usually expects to see about 800-1200 pages of evidence, divided into four different domains, reflecting those of Good Medical Practice. The GMC recommends that you apportion the evidence provided as shown below: 

• Domain 1 - Knowledge, skills, and performance 
• Domain 2 – Safety and quality 
• Domain 3 – Communication, partnership, and teamwork 
• Domain 4 – Maintaining trust 

Please note, you cannot compensate for evidence lacking in one area by providing more evidence in another area. 

The full list of evidence required for each domain can be found on the GMC website here. 

The Cost of CESR Applications 

All psychiatrists applying for Specialist Registration must pay a fee. For CESR, this fee is £1,676. For CESR-CP and CCT, the cost is £439. 

How long does is the application process for CESR in Psychiatry? 

The GMC estimate that it can take between six and eight months to receive a decision, from the date you submit your CESR application. 

As there is a substantial amount of evidence to gather for a CESR application, the process of preparing all the necessary documentation and applying for CESR can take even longer than this, and a typical candidate will usually set out to complete this within 1 – 3 years. 

It is worth noting that more senior psychiatrists, such as consultants, are more likely to have achieved all the competences outlined in the curriculum. 

The indicative period of training for a CCT in psychiatry is six years, so it is highly unlikely that you would achieve the competencies required for a CCT in a shorter period of time. Therefore, CESR is not suitable for more junior psychiatrists. 

#IMG Tips 

1. Research/think about the types of evidence you will need and begin to gather your evidence well in advance of making your application.  
2. Gather evidence prospectively – this is much easier than retrospectively trying to pull together the evidence under additional pressures. 
3. Make sure that your evidence is of the highest possible quality and is current – you will be assessed against the most recent curriculum.  
4. Ensure that the evidence you collect demonstrates your competence across the whole of the psychiatry curriculum, not just your sub-specialty.    
5. Remember to refer to the most up-to-date Psychiatry CCT Curriculum and Specialty Specific Guidance for the evidence requirements in your specialty.  
6. Create a CESR ‘to-do list’ with sections under the GMC’s 4 domain headings – organise your evidence directly into these sections to manage your progress. 
7. Do not submit original documents – all your copies, other than qualifications you’re getting authenticated must be accompanied by a proformas signed by the person who is attesting to the validity and accuracy of your evidence (your verifier). 
8. Ask an IMG Connect recruitment specialist about NHS psychiatry posts with CESR support. These are not always advertised by a Trust, but we can help you to find a role which aligns well with your career goals in the NHS. 
9. Join the IMG Psychiatrists community – as well as support on Royal College exams, our online community of international psychiatrists and dedicated psychiatry recruiters offers guidance on other aspects of working in the UK, including finding NHS posts and CESR. 

Getting started 

Many psychiatry IMGs likely haven’t completed a UK-approved training programme, but you could be eligible for Specialist Registration with the GMC via the CESR route. Take a look at our guide to CESR applications for psychiatry for more information on how to apply and what to expect. 

If you have any further questions about Specialist Registration, your route to the UK, or would like guidance in finding NHS posts which offer CESR support, please get in touch with us here.  

To receive the latest news and updates on all things psychiatry, including the Royal College, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation. 

Relevant Jobs

Psychiatrist Specialty Doctor - Home Treatment Team

59,000 - 90,000

South West

Permanent

A hospital in the South West of England is looking for a Specialty Doctor in Psychiatry with an interest in community-based acute mental health care. The psychiatry department is well-supported by a comprehensive Home Treatment Team (HTT) and a wider multidisciplinary network. This role is open to both international and UK-based doctors, particularly those with Section 12 Mental Health Act approval or equivalent qualifications from recognized psychiatric bodies.

Candidates requiring support for CESR portfolios will be considered on an individual basis.

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• Conduct psychiatric assessments, including acting as a doctor in Mental Health Act evaluations.
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• Engage in clinical governance activities, including audits and quality improvement initiatives.

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