To register for the Return to Practice (RtP) programme you will have to go through a series of assessments and applications.
You should register with the GP National Recruitment Office (NRO) as soon as you know you want to undertake a Return to Practice (RtP) programme or need advice about it
To register, download the RtP programme application form and send the completed form to the GP NRO team.
They will send your form to the appropriate local Health Education England team where you wish to be for your placement and future work.
All forms should be sent to the GPNRO team via email as attachments, in a clear version, correct format and PDF attachment only.
Important: Not applying in England?
If you are applying to Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales please see their websites for further information and advice:
The local HEE team for the RtP programme will contact you to arrange a review with the HEE Educational Lead. If you have not heard anything within 5 working days please let the NRO office know.
Following the review with the HEE Educational Lead they will be able to advise you on the next steps in your application process. This may include:
- approval to apply for the RtP Learning Needs Assessment (LNA) route
- a recommendation to apply for the Portfolio Route. This must have been approved by the local NHSEI team before formal application to the RCGP can proceed
- advise you to speak directly to the Local NHSEI team where you wish to live and work
- give you advice on what further requirements are needed before you can undertake an RtP programme
- review the results of the First Self-Test module to help identify your individual learning needs
The HEE Educational Lead will inform the GP NRO of the agreed outcome plan
Learning Needs Assessment route
Once the NRO have been informed that you will be taking the LNA route you may register to sit the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in a UK based Pearson Vue test centre or an approved Overseas test centre.
Once registered the NRO will notify the North West NHSEI team of your application.
The MCQ assessment must be passed for entry to the programme, and up to four attempts are permitted.
You should apply to the Primary Care Support England (PCSE) only if you plan to proceed with a formal application to be included in the national Medical Performers List.
This should usually be at the same time as you have been accepted for the MCQ, but please be aware the MPL application can take up to 3 months, or occasionally longer, depending if checks are required from outside the UK.
Portfolio Route
Following the interview with the HEE local Educational Lead, approval has to be sought from the local NHSEI team. Once the local NHSEI team has agreed that you may do the Portfolio Route, the GP NRO will
inform the RCGP of your application. You may then register with the RCGP for a Portfolio assessment.
For further information, visit the RCGP portfolio route process page.
Medical Practitioners List (MPL) refresher route
To apply for the MPL, you must first apply to Primary Care Support England (PCSE). To do so, complete the online application form which must be sent to the local NHSEI team.
Further information can be found on the Requirements for the Clinical Placement and MPL applications webpage.
Emergency Registration Programme (ERP)
The Emergency Registered Practitioner (ERP) returner programme is for GPs who had been off the MPL and GMC GP register, and have already re-joined the NHS workforce on the temporary GMC ERP via the Fast-Track COVID-19 approval process. Specifically, for those who may wish to fully return to work as an NHS GP again. To apply for this route, please fill in and submit your ERP registration form alongside the RtP application form.
Page last reviewed: 25 July 2022
Next review due: 25 July 2023