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🩺 Full GMC Registration Now Needed for MSRA 2026 Applications? Let’s Clear the Confusion

The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is the common gateway exam for several UK postgraduate training programmes — including General Practice, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Internal Medicine.

But with the new 2026 recruitment cycle, many international medical graduates (IMGs) are asking:

“Do I now need full GMC registration before I can apply for the MSRA-based specialties?”


Let’s go through the latest 2026 guidance and official links 👇



🔍 1️⃣ The 2026 Shift — What’s New

According to the 2026 General Practice (GP) ST1 Person Specification, applicants must now hold full GMC registration at the time of application:

“Hold full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) at the time of application, and hold a current licence to practise.”— General Practice ST1 2026 | Health Education England

This marks a major change from earlier years, when IMGs could apply with provisional or pending registration and complete the GMC process later.

Now, for the 2026 intake, you must have full GMC registration before submitting your Oriel application — and before being invited to the MSRA.



🧠 2️⃣ Other MSRA Specialties and Their 2026 GMC Requirements

The GMC registration rule is expanding to other specialties that use MSRA for shortlisting. Here’s the current status based on the latest person specifications:

👉 You can explore all official specifications here: HEE – Person Specifications 2026

Specialty

2026 GMC Requirement

Source

General Practice (GP) ST1

Full GMC registration at the time of application

HEE GP ST1 2026 Spec

Core Psychiatry Training (CT1)

Full GMC registration at the time of application

Core Psychiatry CT1 2026 Spec

General Adult Psychiatry (ST4)

Full GMC registration at application

General Adult Psychiatry ST4 2026 Spec

Internal Medicine Training (IMT CT1)

Full GMC registration at the time of application

IMT Recruitment Official Site

Radiology (Clinical Radiology ST1)

Full GMC registration at the time of application

Clinical Radiology ST1 2026 Spec

Ophthalmology (ST1)

Full GMC registration at the time of application

Ophthalmology ST1 2026 Spec

📚 3️⃣ Why This Matters for IMGs

This change primarily affects international graduates planning to apply right after PLAB 2.


Previously, IMGs could apply for MSRA while their GMC registration was still being processed. Now, you must complete registration before Oriel applications open — typically in November–December for the next August intake.

Step

Previous Timeline

2026 Timeline (for GP / IMT / Psychiatry)

Pass PLAB 2

Anytime before post start date

✅ Must be done months before application

Apply for GMC Registration

After MSRA or before offer

✅ Must be approved before Oriel application

Sit MSRA

Before registration

🚫 Now only after full registration (indirectly)


💡 Final Takeaway

  • If you’re planning for 2026 entry, complete your GMC registration early after PLAB 2.

  • Always verify directly from the latest person specification for your chosen specialty.


✳️ References:

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