Full vs provisional GMC registration
Full GMC registration lets you work unsupervised in most NHS roles. Provisional registration is a stepping stone for doctors who don't yet have an acceptable internship — it lets you work only as a Foundation Year 1 (F1) doctor in an approved post. The internship you completed (or didn't) is what usually decides which branch you get.
Who this applies to
- Doctors deciding whether to apply for full or provisional registration.
- Doctors whose internship is on the borderline of acceptability.
Key requirements
| Full registration | Any GMC-permitted post, including specialty training |
|---|---|
| Provisional registration | Approved F1 post only, must convert to full within 3 years typically |
| Key input | Acceptable internship completed pre-application |
Steps
1. Assess your internship
Compare against the GMC's acceptable internship criteria.
2. Match to the correct branch
If your internship is acceptable, apply for full. If not, apply for provisional and plan an approved F1 post.
3. Plan the conversion
Provisional to full typically requires 12 months of approved UK F1 experience with supervisor sign-off.
Common failure points
- Applying for full registration without a compliant internship (application refused, fee not refunded).
- Applying for provisional without an offer of an approved F1 post.
Official sources
Every fact above should be confirmed against the controlling source before you act on it.