PLAB

If PLAB is a requirement for your GMC registration application, the UKFPO must monitor your progress through the PLAB pathway to ensure you remain on track to gain registration in time for the start of the Foundation Programme. To support this, the UKFPO sets out specific deadlines as checkpoints to confirm completion of parts 1 and 2 of the PLAB test.

What is PLAB and how do I know if I need to take it?

Refer to the GMC’s guide to the PLAB test for full details. It is important to remember that the UKFPO and GMC are separate organisations. PLAB is organised and run by the GMC.

Before you submit an eligibility application – what you need to know

Latest date to qualify from medical school

If you are planning to apply for the Foundation Programme starting in August 2027 and you need to take PLAB, you must qualify from medical school (passed your final exams/assessments) on or before 31 August 2026. If you need to take PLAB but you will qualify after this date, your application will be deemed ineligible as you will not be able to meet the UKFPO’s deadlines in relation to PLAB.

Clashes with Clinical Assessment dates

We anticipate that some PLAB exam sittings will clash with Clinical Assessment dates. If you will need to take the Clinical Assessment and expect to sit PLAB around this time, please be aware of this when scheduling.

If you already have a PLAB exam booked and you need to let us know of a potential clash, email your PLAB booking confirmation along with your Oriel PIN to england.helpdesk.foundationprogramme@nhs.net and we will be happy to assist you.

Sending evidence and meeting our deadlines

You must send evidence that you have met the standard for PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 (or evidence of entry onto the GMC register) by the relevant deadlines to england.helpdesk.foundationprogramme@nhs.net.

These deadlines are essential for maintaining a structured and time-bound process that is fair to all applicants. All deadlines must be met, and they must be met in the specified order. It is not permissible to miss or skip a deadline in anticipation of meeting a later one in the process. These deadlines are fixed and non-negotiable. Late submissions of evidence are not accepted under any circumstances.

A forwarded email from the GMC is the preferred evidence, as it includes all required details. Screenshots or account extracts are not normally accepted, as they do not usually show all necessary information.

Your evidence must clearly include:

• Full name
• GMC reference number
• Exam name (PLAB 1 or PLAB 2)
• Exam date
• Overall result

Step-by-step guide

Priority access to PLAB places

We encourage you to search for and book a suitable PLAB exam date as soon as possible – you do not need to wait until you have submitted an eligibility application to start this process. Log into your GMC Online account to view and book available PLAB places.

You only need to request priority access for PLAB if you have already searched for available places and cannot find a date which is compliant with the UKFP timeline and deadlines.

If you need to request priority access, you must email plab@gmc-uk.org, attaching evidence that you have an active (not withdrawn) eligibility application in the UKFP 2027 recruitment round.

Deadlines to request priority access are as follows:

• PLAB 1: 31 August 2026
• PLAB 2: 15 January 2027

The GMC will not be able to give you priority if you request access after the deadline(s) stated above.

Request priority access

Further information

Oriel guidance

If you need to sit PLAB, you may need to upload evidence as part of your eligibility application.

If you have not yet qualified from medical school at the point of application: The evidence of your primary medical qualification (PMQ) needs to show that you will qualify from medical school (passed your final exams/assessments) on or before 31 August 2026.

If you have already qualified from medical school at the point of application: If you have already booked and/or passed PLAB 1 or PLAB 2 at the point of application, you will need to upload evidence of this on your eligibility application form. If you have not yet booked PLAB 1 when you submit your eligibility application, you should select the corresponding option from the drop-down list on Oriel – you will not need to upload any additional evidence, but if you already have a GMC reference number, please include it on your application.

What happens if I fail my PLAB exam?

The deadlines to provide satisfactory evidence to the UKFPO are fixed and non-negotiable. If you cannot provide us with the evidence we require by the relevant deadline, your eligibility application will be withdrawn from the process.

We cannot offer exceptions, exemptions or extensions to our deadlines under any circumstances.

Appealing your result with the GMC

The deadlines to provide satisfactory evidence to the UKFPO are fixed and non-negotiable. If you choose to appeal your PLAB result with the GMC, this does not alter or pause the deadline for submitting evidence of passing PLAB 1 or PLAB 2 (or entry onto the GMC register) to the UKFPO. You must meet all deadlines, regardless of any ongoing appeal processes.

We cannot offer exceptions, exemptions or extensions to our deadlines under any circumstances.

Withdrawals and deferrals

If your application is withdrawn due to non-compliance with PLAB deadlines, it will not be reinstated at any time, for any reason. This includes if you have a successful outcome of an appeal with the GMC. If your application is withdrawn for this reason, it will not impact your ability to re-apply to the UK Foundation Programme in future recruitment years.

The start date of the Foundation Programme cannot be deferred for reasons relating to PLAB or inability to gain registration on time. Deferrals are only granted for statutory reasons. Provisional registration must be in place by the start of the programme.

All decisions regarding withdrawals due to non-compliance with PLAB deadlines are made solely at the discretion of the UKFPO and are not subject to dispute or appeal.