United KingdomPortfolio pathway (formerly CESR and CEGPR)
Definition
The Portfolio pathway is the General Medical Council route to the UK Specialist Register or GP Register for doctors who have not completed a GMC-approved UK training programme, but can show with evidence that they have the knowledge, skills and experience of a UK specialist or GP. It replaced CESR and CEGPR on 30 November 2023.
Also called: CESR, CEGPR, Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration, Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration, GMC Portfolio pathway, specialist registration without CCT
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What is the Portfolio pathway?
Doctors who complete UK specialty training join the Specialist or GP Register with a CCT. The Portfolio pathway is the route for everyone else who wants specialist or GP registration with the GMC, including specialists trained abroad. You assemble a portfolio of evidence showing that you meet the outcomes of the UK curriculum for your specialty, and the relevant royal college or faculty evaluates it on the GMC's behalf.
Until 30 November 2023 the same route was called CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) and CEGPR (for GPs). The GMC renamed it the Portfolio pathway when new legislation changed how doctors can show they meet the standard.
Who is eligible
For a CCT specialty, the GMC requires either a specialist qualification in the specialty you are applying in, or at least six months' continuous specialist training in it. You must also hold, or be granted at the same time, full registration with a licence to practise. Typical applicants are experienced specialists trained abroad, SAS doctors and long-term locally employed doctors in the NHS.
Portfolio pathway, CCT or recognised specialist qualification?
There are three ways onto the Specialist or GP Register. A CCT is for doctors who complete a UK training programme. A recognised specialist qualification applies only if your overseas specialist qualification is on the list the GMC publishes. The Portfolio pathway covers everyone else who meets its eligibility rules. Check the GMC's recognised specialist qualifications list first, because if your qualification is on it you may not need to build a portfolio at all.
How to apply
- Check eligibility and read the specialty guidance for your specialty on the GMC site.
- Open an application in GMC Online. You then have 24 months to collect evidence and submit.
- Gather verified evidence against each curriculum outcome: logbooks, appraisals, audits, teaching, references and qualifications. Documents not in English need a certified translation.
- Pay the fee and submit.
- GMC processing and college evaluation. The GMC says processing can take 6 to 12 months after submission before the application is sent for evaluation.
- Decision. If successful you join the Specialist or GP Register. If not, you can apply for a review or appeal.
How long it takes and what it costs
From 1 April 2026, the GMC fee for a specialist or GP registration application via the Portfolio pathway is £1,974. A review of an unsuccessful application costs £857. The GMC reviews its fees each April. Many doctors spend months building the portfolio before submitting, and processing then takes 6 to 12 months.
Common problems
- Gaps in the curriculum. Evidence must cover every required outcome, not just your main area of practice.
- Old evidence. The GMC has a policy on how recent evidence must be.
- Unverified documents. Evidence must be authenticated in the way the GMC specifies.
- Running out of the 24-month window before submitting.
For the full UK route, see our doctors in the UK guide.
Questions
It is the same route under a new name and updated rules. The GMC replaced CESR and CEGPR with the Portfolio pathway on 30 November 2023, and doctors now show they have the knowledge, skills and experience required to practise as a specialist or GP in the UK.
From 1 April 2026, the GMC fee is £1,974. A review of a refused application costs £857. Fees change each April, so check the GMC fees page before you pay.
You have 24 months from opening the application to submit it. After submission, the GMC says processing can take 6 to 12 months before the application goes to evaluation.
Yes, if you meet the eligibility rules. You must hold or be granted full registration with a licence to practise at the time specialist registration is granted.
Specialist registration is required for substantive NHS consultant posts. You still need to apply for and be appointed to a job, and to arrange any visa you need.
You can apply for a review of the decision, which costs £857 from 1 April 2026, or follow the GMC's appeal process. Read the evaluation report carefully to see which curriculum outcomes were not evidenced.