Portfolio Pathway FAQs
This page answers common questions about applying to the General Medical Council (GMC) for specialist registration via the Portfolio Pathway. For specific queries please contact the GMC.
Eligibility explained:
- Training completed outside of the UK - completion of minimum of 6 months continuous specialist training programme or a relevant qualification outside the UK, (eg. FRANZCP Australia or MSc Psychiatry Egypt) where you can provide an authenticated copy of the formal curriculum or syllabus (including assessment methods) that was in place when you undertook your training. (or letter from the awarding body outlining the content of the training programme or examination). Evidence of formal periodic assessment during your training would also need to be provided. If you have completed MRCPsych outside of the UK this makes you eligible.
- Training completed In the UK - completion of minimum of 6 months continuous approved specialty training and you can provide evidence of this.
If you have not achieved 1. or 2. above, however are working as an SAS doctor you would not meet the eligibility criteria.
Please see individual for more information.
Six months continuous training in the specialty has to be in a post recognised in the UK (approved for training) and same applies for overseas applicants.
Any programme of learning, theory and practical, that is followed by exams would generally be seen as equivalent to MRCPsych. Full details are explained in the (SSG).
The GMC website details and the evidence requirements for each specialty.
Yes the GMC have a section and template for reference format.
Yes you can go back further than 10 years to demonstrate the learning outcomes. However, this must be relevant information to support your application ie, a PhD.
Yes if you wish but this is not a requirement.
Yes you can demonstrate your competence with examples from private and NHS practice.
The Portfolio Pathway enables doctors to achieve Specialist Registration through their Knowledge Skills and Experience (KSE). Therefore, once you have achieved CESR in one specialty of psychiatry it may be possible to achieve the same in another.
Currently we are not offering dual accreditation. Therefore applications must be submitted for a single specialty.
To register your interest to join our ‘CESR Applicant Network Database’ for updates and guidance sessions, please email your contact details to the Specialist Registration Team.
Due to the data retention policy of organisations some evidence older than 7 years may have been destroyed or archived.
If you are not able to produce historic evidence you may have to look at your eligibility for the Cohort you are applying for via our webpage.
If you are happy with your chosen Cohort and still are not able to evidence older data due to retention policies, please provide as much information as you can to substantiate this period, plus add a comment as to why this is not evidenced in your portfolio.
We are developing our resources and have a ‘CESR Applicant Network’. Please register to receive updates and details of guidance sessions by emailing the Specialist Registration Team.
Additionally, please approach your area’s Trust or Health Board who should be able to give you details of their SAS lead and further mentor network/support groups.
These vary within each Cohort and will depend on the evidence you are providing for your Knowledge Skills and Experience (KSE). Please check the Cohort criteria selection questions, using button above, to ensure you are compiling evidence in line with the correct Cohort.
If you have chosen the correct cohort please see the on the BMA webpage and chose your desired specialty. This will detail evidence required for your portfolio.
To register your interest to join our ‘CESR Applicant Network Database’ for updates and guidance sessions, please email your contact details to the Specialist Registration Team
For local support please approach your area’s Trust or Health Board who should be able to give you details of their SAS lead and mentor network.
Each cohort has different audit requirements. ALL cohorts require one quality improvement activity to be evidenced.
You would need to detail all your job history including locum posts (you would not have to provide actual contracts).
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to receive further information regarding a career in psychiatry