PLAB Exam Eligibility: Complete Requirements for Indian Students

PLAB exam is one of the most reputed examinations among medical professionals, especially from India. Exams such as PLAB, USMLE, OET, MCCQE, AMC are for accessing theoretical as well as practical medical knowledge for those who are wishing to work as doctors or nurses in countries such as UK, USA, Canada, Australia etc. The PLAB Exam Eligibility is one of the most crucial aspects for international medical graduates (IMGs) who aim to practice medicine in the United Kingdom. 

The PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board), regulated by General Medical Council (GMC), evaluates whether the doctors trained outside UK possess necessary knowledge and skills to work safely in National Health Services (NHS). Being eligible is the first requirement toward becoming a doctor in the UK. Therefore, knowing complete requirements is most important for those who want to give PLAB exam in 2025.  

Understanding PLAB exam eligibility is vital not just for application, but also for planning medical careers abroad. Many aspirants often wonder if their degree qualifies, whether an internship is mandatory, or what English proficiency scores are required. This guide provides a complete overview of PLAB eligibility, addressing these concerns in detail. 
 

Must Read: PLAB Exam Dates in 2025

 

What is PLAB Exam and Why is Eligibility Important?

The PLAB Exam is a licensing exam that allows international doctors to demonstrate that their skills and medical knowledge are comparable to those of UK-trained graduates. It is conducted in two parts: PLAB 1 (written test) and PLAB-2 (Practical assessment). These two exams collectively ensure candidates can diagnose, treat, and communicate effectively in real-world NHS settings. 

Eligibility ensures that only qualified and well-trained doctors treat the country’s citizens, while swiftly adapting to the environment and culture. The GMC has set strict requirements related to medical degrees, internships, and English language proficiency. Without meeting these conditions, candidates cannot register for the exam. Simply put, eligibility acts as the foundation for entering the UK medical workforce. 

The following aspects / factors makes eligibility important: 

Factors	Why it makes eligibility important
Recognized Medical Degree	Ensures only qualified doctors from GMC-approved universities apply
Clinical/Internship Experience	Confirms doctors have hands-on practice in core specialties like medicine and surgery.
English Language Proficiency	Guarantees effective communication in NHS settings for patient safety.
GMC Standards & Regulations	Aligns IMGs with UK-trained doctors’ competency levels.
Patient Safety & Public Trust	Ensures doctors entering the workforce can practice safely and ethically.

 

Who can Apply for PLAB Exam?

To be able to apply for PLAB exam, a candidate must first qualify the basic eligibility terms set by GMC. The eligibility checks your academic, clinical and linguistic proficiency, important for sitting in PLAB exam. 

The three main requirements for applying for PLAB exam are: 

• Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) 
• English Language Proficiency 
• Prior Clinical Exposure (Internships) 

Prepare strong for PLAB exam – Step-by-Step guide for PLAB Preparation

 

What are the Medical Requirements for PLAB exam

The first requirement GMC asks is Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ). The characteristics of PMQ are as follows: 

The Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) or medical degree must be awarded by a university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). The GMC will not accept unlisted or unverified degrees. This condition filters out unrecognized programs and maintains the credibility of medical training. 

Here are top 5 WDOMS recognized medical institutes in India, including AIIMS, PGIMER and JIPMER: 

Institute	Locations	National Rank (NIRF 2024)
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)	All locations	1
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)	Chandigarh	2
Christian Medical College (CMC)	Vellore, Tamil Nadu	3
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)	Bengaluru, Karnataka	4
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)	Puducherry	5

 

What is Internship or clinical experience requirement?

General Medical Council (GMC) mandatorily requires candidates to have at-least 12 months of supervised practice after graduation. This proves that candidates have practical exposure to patient care. Without it, GMC registration after PLAB may be difficult even if the exam is cleared. 

Complete requirements are as follows: 

(Caption) PLAB Internship Requirements 

Requirements	Details
Duration	Minimum 12 months contd. Practice, completed immediately before or after graduation
Clinical Rotations	3 Months in Medicine & 3 Months in Surgery (If Duration: 12-18 months)    At least 6 months in Medicine & 6 months in Surgery (If Duration: 18+ months)
Structure & Supervision	Must be approved Training Post, include direct supervision & overseen by recognized medical body
Gaps & Absences	No more than 20 days of absence in 12 months  Breaks b/w graduation & internship should be minimal & justified
Documentation	Internship completion certificate  Detailed rotation schedule  Letters from your medical school or hospital  Certificate of good standing

 

Additional Note: 

GMC does not accept Observerships, Honorary Posts without clinical responsibility and unsupervised trainings. 

 

What is PLAB IELTS Requirement (Language Proficiency Requirement)?

As English is the primary language of the UK, English language proficiency is also an important requirement for PLAB exam. Not only you should be efficient in English communication, but the board requires Clinical English proficiency which means you should effectively communicate with patients and well aware of medical terms. 

To be able to meet English Language Proficiency requirements, you should have passed either: 

• IELTS Academic: overall 7.5, with at least 7.0 in each section, or 
• OET Exam: minimum Grade B in all components. 

Scores are valid for two years at the time of application. 

Tip (Must Avoid): 

• Avoid submitting General Training ILETS instead of Academic IELTS. 
• Using a test result older than two years does not clears the requirement

Are there any restrictions in PLAB Eligibility?

Every exam or job has restrictions, stopping any candidates that do not fall inside the eligibility criteria. These restrictions may be applied on the basis of age, number of applies or nationalities. 

Is there any Age Limit for PLAB Exam?

There is no minimum or maximum age requirement for PLAB. Both fresh graduates in their 20s and experienced doctors in their 40s or 50s are allowed to sit the exam. The only deciding factors are qualifications, English proficiency, and documentation. 

However, the eligibility pathway itself creates a practical minimum age boundary. To sit the PLAB exam, candidates must first complete a recognized medical degree (5–6 years), followed by at least 12 months of supervised internship, and also achieve the required English proficiency. These steps mean that most candidates are at least 23–24 years old by the time they meet the criteria. That is why most people who attempt the exam fall in the age group of 22-40 years. 

How many attempts are Allowed for PLAB-1 and PLAB-2?

Both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 are capped at four attempts each. If a candidate fails after four attempts, an additional chance may be granted, but only if they provide evidence of further postgraduate study or clinical practice. This ensures that repeated failures do not compromise GMC’s quality standards. 

Discover the key differences between UKMLA vs PLAB.

 

What Educational Documents are Required for PLAB Exam Eligibility?

Documents form the verification grounds for the qualifications claimed by candidates. GMC puts strict emphasis on document validation to prevent any fraudulent application. Missing or misleading documentation proofs upon verification can lead to rejection or even suspension of candidate from any further attempts. 

The following sections discuss the documents required for registering for PLAB exam 

What Documents Need to Be Submitted to GMC for PLAB?

Candidates must prove their eligibility by submitting a full set of documents to the GMC. These documents confirm your identity, verify your primary medical qualification, and demonstrate that you have the required clinical and language background. Each document must be uploaded in the GMC Online account, and in many cases, they also need to be independently verified through international systems like EPIC (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates’ Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials). 

Below are the details of the documents required for PLAB application: 

Document	Details
Valid Passport / National ID	Must be valid at the time of application   (scanned copies accepted)
Primary Medical Qualification (Degree Certificate)	Must be from a GMC-recognized university listed in WDOMS; verified via EPIC/ECFMG
Academic Transcript	Must include course duration, clinical training components, and be issued by the awarding university
Internship / House Job Certificate	Must clearly state start and end dates, rotations (medicine/surgery), and supervising authority
English Language Test Certificate	IELTS Academic (7.5 overall, min 7.0 in each) or OET Medicine (Grade B in all components); certificate must be valid within 2 years of PLAB application
Verification Letter (if requested)	Occasionally required directly from your medical school or hospital to GMC/ECFMG

 

How to Get Medical Degree Verified for PLAB Exam? (EPIC/ECFMG Pathway)

The GMC requires that medical degrees are verified via the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) EPIC service. This global verification system ensures authenticity and prevents fraudulent qualifications from entering the UK medical workforce. 

To complete verification, candidates must first create an EPIC account and upload a scanned copy of their medical degree certificate. Pay the fees for verification ($100 per credential) Once uploaded, the EPIC team contacts the issuing medical school or university to confirm the certificate’s authenticity. After successful confirmation, EPIC issues a verification report which is sent directly to the GMC. Only then will the GMC accept the degree as valid for PLAB eligibility. 

Discover: What are the nearest PLAB test centres from your location?

PLAB Exam Eligibility for International Students vs UK Graduates

The PLAB exam is primarily designed for international medical graduates (IMGs) who studied medicine outside the UK or EEA. For these candidates, eligibility checks are compulsory before they can attempt the exam. UK-trained doctors, on the other hand, usually do not need PLAB because their medical education already aligns with GMC standards. 

International students must sit PLAB to prove that their knowledge and skills match the level of a UK medical graduate. The GMC assesses whether the applicant’s degree, internship, and English language ability are on par with UK standards before allowing them to practice medicine in the NHS. 

Graduates from UK medical schools are exempt from PLAB because their degrees and training are automatically recognized by the GMC. They proceed directly to Foundation Year 1 (F1) training after graduation. Similarly, most EEA graduates may also be exempt depending on mutual recognition rules. 
 

Which countries accept PLAB? Read PLAB Accepted Countries?

 

What to do after passing PLAB – Steps for GMC Registration

Once the applicant passes PLAB-1 and PLAB-2, the next stage he/she goes through is to apply to be registered by GMC with a license to practise. This is an important step because doing PLAB does not entitle a doctor to practice in the UK. The application procedure entails submission of all final check-up documents, such as degree confirmation with EPIC, job placements in terms of internship and validated results in terms of English proficiency.  

Applicants also need evidence of identity and in most instances present physical evidence of identity at the GMC in the UK. The GMC only fully registers doctors after these checks are passed under the lawful basis that allows doctors to practise in NHS. 

Here are the steps to register yourself on GMC: 

Step 1: Log in to your GMC Online account and begin the registration application after passing PLAB 2. 
Step 2: Upload all required documents, including your verified medical degree, internship certificates, and English test results. 
Step 3: Pay the GMC registration fee as instructed in the portal. 
Step 4: Attend an in-person identity check at the GMC office in the UK, if required. 
Step 5: Receive confirmation of your full GMC registration with a license to practise in the NHS. 

 

How to Check if You Are Eligible for PLAB Exam?

Before applying, it is important for candidates to confirm their eligibility status with the GMC. The council provides a self-assessment and eligibility checking system through the GMC Online portal, which allows international doctors to review their qualifications and documents against the official criteria. This prevents wasted time and ensures that applicants meet the minimum requirements before booking PLAB 1. 
 

Using the GMC Online Portal

Candidates must first create a GMC Online account, where they can enter details of their medical qualification, internship, and English test results. The system highlights whether the degree is recognized, whether language scores meet the standard, and whether additional documents are required. 
 

Checking Degree Recognition in WDOMS

A key part of eligibility is whether your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). Applicants should check this independently before beginning the GMC application, as unlisted schools will not be accepted. 
 

Self-Assessment of English Language and Internship

Apart from the degree, candidates should self-check their English proficiency scores (IELTS/OET) and confirm whether they have at least 12 months of internship covering medicine and surgery. If either is missing, the GMC will not approve eligibility. 

The following table explains the steps for your self assessment. 

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Create a GMC Online Account	Begin eligibility self-check process
2	Enter Degree Details	Confirms if PMQ is GMC-recognized
3	Upload English Test Results	Verifies if IELTS/OET scores meet GMC standard
4	Provide Internship Details	Ensures 12-month clinical training is complete
5	Check WDOMS Listing	Confirms medical school recognition

 

Conclusion

The PLAB Exam Eligibility is the main basis of any international medical graduate who are willing to practice medicine in the United Kingdom. Candidates must fulfil eligibility like IELTS PLAB requirement, qualification, and internship requirements, qualifying for sitting in PLAB exam. Knowledge of these requirements down to the finer details will enable the applicants to be ready in advance and avoid delays. 

PLAB to many IMGs is considered not as a test but passage to work within the NHS. Verification of documents, early eligibility checks, and strategic preparations of both the exams; PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 are an important step. Through planning, the candidates are in a position to easily move through eligibility to registration and indeed becoming a professional practice in the UK.