How to Get Good Standing Certificates for GMC Application

As you will have gathered from the previous article, the GMC requires a lot of evidence for a successful application. Every document is necessary, as it demonstrates that you have the required skills, knowledge, and experience to become a fantastic doctor in the UK. With your expertise and training, you could help many NHS patients throughout your career.

The certificate of good standing is a critical piece of evidence to prove you can manage all of that.

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What is a Certificate of Good Standing?

A certificate of good standing is issued to a physician by any regulatory authority they are registered to. The certificate should show the following:

• The medical work you’ve done
• Confirmation of your right to practice medicine in the country
• Assurance of no disqualifications, prohibitions, or suspensions
• Confirmation of good standing

There’s a high chance you’ll need more than just one for this particular certificate, as you will need one for each medical regulatory body you have registered at in the last five years. So, that might mean you only need to submit one, two, or even five certificates during the GMC application process.

Why Do You Need Certificates of Good Standing for the GMC?

The purpose of the GMC register is to ensure that every doctor practising in the UK is held to the same high standards, that they are trustworthy, and have the necessary skills to deliver exceptional patient care every time. This high standard can be reached by getting all international doctors to register with the GMC.

The certificate of good standing is a particularly important piece of evidence to prove that IMGs have the appropriate skills to become UK doctors. That’s because it requires a reference from a previous medical licencing authority, demonstrating how IMGs have upheld good medical practice in their previous work outside of the UK. So, by getting your certificate of good standing, you prove that you are good at what you do and that there’s no reason you shouldn’t practise medicine in the UK.

Acquiring Your Certificates of Good Standing

To acquire a certificate of good standing, you will need to contact the medical regulatory authority directly to request one, and they will send you the certificate in due course. You must do this for any regulatory bodies you have registered with during the last five years – it doesn’t matter if you haven’t actively practised medicine with them; you still need to show the certificate during the GMC application.

After acquiring all the certificates of good standing, send them to the GMC. Remember that you have just three months to complete your GMC application, so consider obtaining your certificates before you begin the application. After all, you don’t know how long the regulatory bodies will take to present the certificates.

Common Issues with Acquiring a Certificate of Good Standing

If you’re concerned about attaining your CGS, it helps to familiarise yourself with some obstacles you might face. Here are some of the difficulties you may encounter when acquiring your certificates of good standing:

• You are no longer licensed with the medical regulatory authority

What happens if you need a CGS, but you’re no longer registered with the regulatory body? In this case, there is the option of getting a certificate of past good standing, which the GMC accepts.

• There is no medical regulatory authority in your country

The GMC is understanding when it comes to alternative certifications if your country doesn’t provide the exact correct one. So, if there is no medical regulatory authority in your country, you can ask your employer to complete an employer reference form.

• The certificate is not in English

The certificate of good standing not being in English isn’t exactly an issue, as the GMC is used to this. After all, many (if not most) of the CSG come from non-English-speaking countries! However, the certificate not being in English requires the extra translation step. To translate the certificate, you should use a court-appointed translator or, at the very least, a reputable translating service. Once it has been translated efficiently, you must submit the certificate in both the original and English-translated versions.

Other Information for Your GMC Application

As well as providing the certificates of good standing, the GMC application also requires you to detail what you have been doing during the last five years. That includes both medical and non-medical experience, such as maternity leave, career breaks, study leave, and vacations. You will even need references from non-medical-related employers.

When Do You Send Your Certificate of Good Standing?

Sending a copy of your certificate of good standing is part of the GMC application process. Usually, you will send it after the initial application once the GMC emails you requesting your documents and evidence. However, remember – just because you don’t have to send it until after the initial GMC application, that doesn’t mean you should wait until then before contacting your regulatory body. Ideally, you will have your certificate of good standing ready to send off as soon as you start the application.

What Happens After Sending Your Certificate of Good Standing?

Once you have sent your certificate of good standing and all your other documents, you will wait five working days for confirmation from the GMC. After this time, you will receive confirmation via email, including details on how to book your ID check – which is the next step in the GMC registration process.

In Summary

Acquiring your certificates of good standing is as simple as getting in touch with all the medical regulatory authorities you have registered with during the past five years. Once you have obtained them, you will send them to the GMC to continue with the application. It’s one of the many steps involved in becoming licensed to practice medicine in the UK.

The certificate of good standing is just a piece of evidence required to be accepted onto the GMC register. Other crucial parts include sending confirmation of your qualifications, such as your primary medical qualification and post-graduate qualification (if applicable). To do this, you must use EPIC verification. Don’t worry – we have detailed this process in the next article.

If you need any assistance gathering your certificates of good standing or you would like to look at your options for working in the NHS then please get in touch.