Alternative Certificate to Enter ST4 Emergency Medicine Specialty Training

This certificate may be used to confirm the capabilities equivalent to those achieved in core and intermediate Emergency Medicine training.

 Instructions for applicants

This certificate is required by candidates applying for emergency medicine ST4 posts who are required to demonstrate acquisition of capabilities equivalent to those achieved in core and intermediate Emergency Medicine training. It is NOT required by candidates meeting the following criteria:

• Currently in the penultimate year of core EM training.
• Have completed core and intermediate EM training in a UK ACCS programme with evidence of an outcome 6 at ARCP.

When using this certificate, please note:

• Unless you have exceptional circumstances, e.g. you are a refugee, you will be required to submit the fully completed certificate with your ST4 application, so it is advised that you prepare your documents in advance.
• This certificate can only be signed by a Consultant in Emergency Medicine

• Consultants are only eligible to sign these certificates if they have worked with you for a minimum continuous period of three months whole time equivalent within the 3½ years prior to the advertised start date; certificates must have been signed subsequent to this date.
• The three months should be wholly within the time limit, is whole-time equivalent and could be spread out over a period much longer than this; for example, if you are doing research but have been undertaking clinics during this time to maintain your clinical skills, the three months may be spread over the three-year period.
• If your signatory is registered with any medical regulatory authority other than the GMC, then you should also make sure they submit current evidence of their registration with that authority. A certified translation should be included if this is not in English. Historic registration with the GMC will not be accepted. The signatory must have worked within the NHS in the last five years and of the date the certificate is signed and have an accurate knowledge of the Emergency Medicine core and intermediate curriculum. Failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
  • The only exception to the requirement to have worked in the NHS in the last 5 years relates to consultants supervising the applicant whilst working in the Republic of Ireland, who may sign this alternative certificate provided that they are familiar with the UK Emergency Medicine curriculum.
• You should not use a signatory with whom you have a close personal relationship.
• You must have all capabilities and competences listed on this certificate signed off, either personally witnessed or via second-hand evidence, by time of application to be eligible. If you cannot demonstrate that you have achieved all your professional capabilities in one post, you may submit additional evidence to the signatory who, if they agree that it demonstrates capability/competence may accept it in lieu of direct observation. If you cannot demonstrate every professional capability, you will not be eligible for specialty training at ST4 level.
• The standard you are required to have achieved to be eligible for ST4 entry is an entrustment score of 3 – i.e. ‘with your supervisor on call from home for queries, able to provide directions via phone and able to attend the bedside if required to provide direct supervision’.
• You do not need to have demonstrated all capabilities or competences within the time period in which you have worked with the signatory, but whoever is signing the form needs to be satisfied that there is no reason why these are in doubt and that they believe you are sufficiently able to enter ST4.
• The certificate MUST be complete in every detail, including details about the person completing it for you. Incomplete certificates may lead to your application being deemed ineligible for that recruitment round. It is strongly recommended that you check the form after your signatory has completed it.
• You must then scan, upload and attach it (as one single document) to your application form before submission.
• 2025 and 2026 are the only versions of the certificate which will be accepted for the 2026 recruitment year, no other alternative certificates will be accepted.

Please note that it is a matter of professional probity for both applicant AND consultant signatory to complete this form accurately and honestly.  Any false declaration in this form will result in any offer of a training post being withdrawn and consideration being given to you and/or your consultant signatory being referred to the GMC or other appropriate regulator.