Eligibility

Before you apply for GP Specialty Training (GPST) you should check you're eligible.

Longlisting

All applications will be assessed against the essential eligibility criteria outlined in the national General Practice ST1 person specification.

Document upload

As you progress through your application, you'll be required to upload some documentation to allow the GP National Recruitment Office (GPNRO) to assess your eligibility.

If you are required to do this, you must ensure the document:

• is uploaded as a single document and not in separate pages (the CREST form must be uploaded via the CREST portal)
• has a label which describes the nature of the document
• is uploaded into the correct document section

Evidence of English language skills

All applicants will need to be able to evidence of their English language skills in line with the acceptable evidence detailed in the GP ST1 person specification.

Evidence of communication skills for Medical Performers’ List

Eligibility for entry onto a UK Medical Performers’ List is an essential criterion and therefore, applicants must also ensure their evidence of communication skills complies with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or guidance issued by the relevant Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) responsible for maintaining a medical performers’ list in each of the 4 countries.

The UK's PCOs are:

• England: NHS England
• Northern Ireland: Health and Social Services Boards
• Scotland: Primary care divisions within area health boards
• Wales: Local health boards

Evidence of Foundation competences

All applicants to ST1 posts are required to provide evidence of achievement of Foundation competence within the 3 and a half years prior to the intended commencement date for the advertised posts.

These are the acceptable methods for demonstrating Foundation competence:

If you are not covered by the above

Applicants who do not fall into any of the above categories will be required to submit a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST, 2024 version). This needs to be signed by a consultant who has supervised them for at least 3 months (whole time equivalent and continuous period) in the 3 and a half years prior to the advertised start date for the training programme to which they are applying.

Applicants must not submit multiple CRESTs from different posts to show evidence of achievement of all competences. Only 1 certificate should be submitted.

A scanned copy of the certificate must be attached to the Oriel application form.

When submitting the CREST, all competences must be signed as achieved at the time of application. CRESTs will not be accepted where it is stated that outstanding competences will be achieved before the advertised start date of the post.

CRESTs will be accepted where the assessed post has been wholly undertaken in the 3 and a half years prior to the commencement of the training post to which the applicant is applying.

The signatory for the CREST must not be the applicant’s spouse, partner, or family member.

Where the signatory does not currently have GMC registration, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that adequate evidence of their signatory’s standing with a regulatory authority is provided. This evidence must be scanned and attached to the CREST. Where this evidence is not in English, an official English translation should also be provided. In cases where the signatory has historic but not current GMC registration, it is the current registration that is required; previous GMC registration will not be accepted. Where adequate evidence is not provided, the CREST and the specialty training application will be rejected.

Providing a CREST

From Round 1 2024, GP applicants will no longer have an extended deadline for providing CREST. All GP applicants are required to submit a satisfactory CREST at time of application.

Please ensure you check the guidance carefully to confirm the appropriate method to demonstrate your foundation competence. If you are required to submit a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST) form with your application and do not do so then you will not be offered another opportunity to upload it and your application will not proceed to the next stage of the process.

Exceptions to providing evidence

The only exception to providing evidence of Foundation competences is if you are a refugee. Refugees, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration, are advised to submit a CREST, if possible. Where this is not possible, on successful appointment, there may be a requirement by the employer or the responsible officer for you to undergo further assessments to ensure that your competence, professional knowledge and skills are up to date in line the GMC Good Medical Practice.

You will need to ensure that all eligibility criteria must be met.

Right to work in the UK

All applicants will be requested to produce valid right to work documents. Applicants who do not have valid right to work documents will need to apply for Tier 2 / Skilled Worker sponsorship.

From 1 July 2021, EU/EEA citizens will need to either provide confirmation that they have obtained EU settlement status, have another valid right to work visa (for example, dependent visa) or will need to apply for Skilled Worker sponsorship.