MRCPsych Equivalence Information
European Doctors
The principal European legislation is
Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional
qualifications. This sets out our obligations for recognition of
the medical qualifications held by doctors from within the European
Economic Area (EEA).
European nationals who have professional
qualifications, which are recognised by the GMC, can apply for
specialist registration and are equivalent to UK trainees who have
a Certification of Completion of Specialist Training (CCT).
EEA qualifications and application information
for specialist registration and can be found on the
General Medical Council’s
website.
European nationals with some specialist
training in another European member state can enter UK training at
any level and have their previous training counted for the award of
a CCT. However, they need to provide confirmation of this from the
competent authority of the relevant European Country that this
training meets the minimum requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC.
They will need to present this evidence when attending interviews
for posts above CT1 (Core Training Year 1). This confirmation is
then treated in the same way as having training in a GMC approved
training post.
The College considers any European
national who meets the minimum requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC
has also achieved MRCPsych equivalence. The College do not assess
or issue letters of equivalence for European applicants who meet
Directive requirements. However, European applicants who meet
Directive requirements can apply for ST4 appointments provided they
can supply documentation to meet Deaneries person specification
criteria.
Further information can be found at
the following links.
International doctors can now apply to sit the MRCPsych
Examination papers!
If you wish to apply for the MRCPsych Examination please refer
to the following link. Applicants must submit information to
apply for individual papers 1, 2 and 3 and then the CASC.
Please read the Eligibility
Criteria and Regulations for MRCPsych
Examinations document Appendix 1 and sponsorship
requirements will explain procedures for overseas
applicants.
The 2012 Calendar will also provide details
of when you can apply for each paper. The application form and
sponsorship forms are available to download 2 weeks before the
application period. There is also information on the duration
and marking criteria for each paper.
Please note that to obtain the MRCPsych you must complete and
pass all 3 papers and the CASC. The MRCPsych is a mid
level qualification and trainees have to undertake a further 3
years of higher training before qualifying to become a consultant
psychiatrist. On completion of this training
psychiatrists can apply for a Certificate of
Eligibility of Specialist Registration via a
combined programme CESR (CP).
In order to qualify for a UK higher training post, at ST4 level,
doctors must ensure that they pass all components of the
MRCPsych Examination, both written and clinical, and complete a
minimum of 36 months whole time equivalent of
post-foundation/internship experience/training in
psychiatry.
If you have any further queries
about the Examination that are not available on the website please
contact the Examination
department.
* MRCPsych Equivalence Route is currently under
consideration
Miss L Hartley
CESR Administrator
Royal College of Psychiatrists
17 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PG
Tel: 020 7235 2351 x 6139
Fax: 020 7234 7976
Email: lhartley@rcpsych.ac.uk
Last updated October 2012