FAQs on PMETB certification

1. I am doing a conventional three-year VTS, with up to two years of approved hospital jobs.

a) How do I apply for a certificate?

You need to register with the RCGP as soon as possible, by sending a completed application form (www.rcgp.org.uk/certification), a copy of your current GMC certificate and the appropriate fee. Then once you have completed all four components of Summative Assessment you will need to apply to PMETB for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

b) How much will it cost?

Registering with the RCGP costs £350 – this will automatically make you an associate member of the RCGP (if you have already paid associate membership this will be refunded to you). Obtaining your CCT from PMETB will cost you a further £500 (ie. total cost = £350 + £500 = £850). The cost of obtaining a certificate is comparable to the cost that other specialties have previously charged in obtaining CCSTs from their relevant Royal College.

c) When should I apply?

You should register with the RCGP as soon as possible. You can then send completed VTR2 forms (from your hospital jobs; there is revised version at www.rcgp.org/ ) as you obtain them to the Certification Unit as this will speed up the provision of your CCT. You cannot request your CCT from PMETB until you have completed Summative Assessment (ie not until you are able to submit your Structured Trainer’s Report, which is a maximum of six weeks before the completion date of your GPR year). In order to request your CCT from PMETB you must send your final VTR1 form and a copy of your current GMC registration certificate (you must be fully registered with the GMC) to the RCGP and then send a completed PMETB application form (available from the RCGP) as well as the appropriate fee to PMETB. All VTR1 and VTR2 forms must be endorsed by the Director of Postgraduate General Practice Education, or nominated deputy, before sending to either the RCGP or PMETB.

d) How long will it take to get a certificate?

PMETB says that it will need five weeks to issue certificates (it’s hoped this timescale will diminish) so you need to submit your application as soon as you can. You cannot start work as a GP, in any capacity, without this certificate and may need to bear this in mind when making career plans.

2. I am doing a self-constructed VTS in the UK. Is it the same procedure for me? 

Yes – if all your jobs had prior recognition for GP training and you have signed VTR2s. (Please note VTR2s must be endorsed by the appropriate Deanery for where the job was undertaken). If your jobs did not have prior approval for GP training then you will need to apply for a certificate of eligibility for registration from PMETB (www.pmetb.org.uk or tel: 0871 220 3070). PMETB will require supporting documentation of your equivalent experience, including references. There will be a charge for each assessment of your experience so it is worth collecting together all the jobs for which you want approval and submitting as a single application. This will cost £950. If you are already in possession of a letter from the JCPTGP acknowledging the equivalence of your previous experience then this is part of the evidence that you need to supply to PMETB.

3. I have completed some of my training overseas. What is the procedure for me?

You need to apply for a certificate of eligibility for registration from PMETB (www.pmetb.org.uk or tel: 0871 220 3070).

4. What if I am already a fully qualified GP in another healthcare system similar to the UK?

You need to apply to PMETB for a certificate of eligibility for registration (www.pmetb.org.uk or tel: 0871 220 3070). PMETB may require you to undergo further training.

5. Will my CCT or statement of eligibility for registration entitle me to work as a GP anywhere in Europe?

Having obtained certification from PMETB (by either route) you will be entitled to work anywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA) provided that:

• You hold European nationality

• Your primary medical qualification is from a country within the EEA

• You either hold a CCT or have acquired rights to practice from an EEA country.

6. How accurate do my VTR forms have to be?

They have to be precise. Please see guidelines below:

• All RITA/VTR forms must be originals. Photocopies and faxes are not acceptable. • The section relating to whole/part-time training must be completed on all RITA/VTR forms. If any of the posts were part-time, the percentage of full- time must be given.

 • Only one set of dates should be entered in the spaces provided on RITA/VTR forms. If any posts were divided, two separate forms must be completed and signed.

• Forms that have been amended, or where corrector fluid has been used, will not be accepted.

• The precise dates (day, month and year) and total number of months must appear on all RITA/VTR forms. The dates given must not overlap with those of any other post.

• If the training period was extended to cover time off because of illness, unpaid leave, jury services, or maternity/paternity leave, precise dates must be provided by the employer.

• All RITA/VTR forms must be signed to confirm that the information entered on them is correct.

Important: Please remember that any errors on your forms will result in them being returned to you, either by the Deanery, the RCGP or PMETB, thereby delaying your Certification. Please thoroughly check every detail before sending them to the Deanery for endorsement.