Certification

There are a number of routes that a pharmaceutical physician can take to gain entry onto the General Medical Council's (GMC) Specialist Register for Pharmaceutical Medicine.

Route 1 - Pharmaceutical Medicine Specialty Training

The GMC will award a pharmaceutical physician a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and entry onto the Specialist Register for Pharmaceutical Medicine on satisfactory completion of PMST and a recommendation from the Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) that the pharmaceutical physician is awarded a CCT.

Route 2 - CESR (CP)

If a pharmaceutical physician is interested in undertaking PMST, but completed their clinical training outside the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA), or completed clinical training in the UK that was not approved by the GMC, they may still be eligible to enrol onto PMST, but they will follow the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration Combined Programme (CESR-CP).

The CESR-CP trainee would follow the same programme of training as a CCT-trainee and gain entry onto the Specialist Register on satisfactory completion of PMST, but the CESR-CP trainee would be awarded a CESR. The JRCPTB will determine on receipt of their application whether the applicant should follow the CESR-CP route.

Pharmaceutical physicians interested in following either route 1 or route 2 should visit our enrolment page for further information about enrolling onto PMST.

Route 3 - CESR

For pharmaceutical physicians who have not followed a UK specialist training programme that leads to a CCT, but who may have gained the same level of skills and knowledge as CCT holders, could consider follow the 'equivalence route' and apply to the GMC for a 'full' CESR.

Applicants must demonstrate, through validated evidence, that the totality of their specialty training and / or specialist qualifications along with any other specialist medical experience or knowledge is equivalent in depth and breadth to that covered in the CCT curriculum of the specialty concerned. As stated in the Specialty Specific Guidance (SSG) for Pharmaceutical Medicine, applicants need to demonstrate that they have achieved two years (24 months) clinical experience and the competencies of the PMST curricula.

The SSG sets out guidance on the criteria, standards and suggested examples of possible evidence to support CESR applications.

Please note that completed applications must be submitted directly to the GMC and not to the Faculty. We would also strongly recommend that you refer to the guidance issued to PMST trainees on how to collate evidence to ensure that it is clear how the evidence submitted covers each item/competency in the curriculum. It will also be important to show your involvement in each piece of evidence submitted.

For general enquiries about the CESR route or the application process please contact the GMC.

The Faculty, through the JRCPTB, has a role in the evaluation of and subsequent recommendation on applications to the GMC. The Faculty is therefore unable to offer specific advice to applicants on detailed content of individual applications. General specialty-specific advice may be sought from the Faculty in writing or email, and a response will be given in writing as appropriate.

In providing you with general specialty-specific advice and guidance in the preparation of your CESR application, the Faculty is not responsible for giving guarantees or opinions as to the likelihood of your application being successful.

Web links to key documents and sources of information

GMC guidance documents, fee structure, applications forms, FAQ.
JRCPTB guidance on CCT curriculum in pharmaceutical medicine.
GMC's Good Medical Practice.
Faculty's Good Pharmaceutical Medicine Practice.