IMC Registration for Overseas Doctors: Requirements, Fees and Application Process in 2026

Why do you need IMC registration?

The Irish Medical Council regulates doctors who practise medicine in Ireland. Under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, doctors must hold appropriate registration to practise in the State. For overseas doctors, IMC registration is also a key step towards securing employment and progressing through postgraduate medical training. You need to register with the IMC to:

• Apply for NCHD positions: These include roles such as Senior House Officer (SHO) and Registrar in Irish hospitals.

• Enter postgraduate training: Training programmes run through organisations such as the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have specific registration requirements.

• Practise within your authorised scope: Your registration division determines whether you can practise independently, work within an approved training post or under specified supervision.

• Build your medical career in Ireland: Registration helps you progress towards further training, specialist recognition, and longer-term career opportunities.
  

Types of IMC registration: which division do you need?

The Medical Council maintains six registration divisions. The correct option depends on your medical qualification, internship, professional experience, specialist training and intended role. The Council's official eligibility guide is the best place to start before paying a non-refundable application fee.

General Division

This is a common route for overseas doctors who have completed their basic medical qualification and meet the relevant internship, examination or other eligibility requirements. General registration permits doctors to practise independently without supervision, but most work in NCHD posts. They also cannot represent themselves as specialists.

Specialist Division

This division is for doctors who have completed recognised specialist training and meet the Council's specialist registration requirements. Eligibility depends on the training route and whether the qualification and experience are recognised in Ireland. Overseas specialists may need an individual assessment of their training and experience.

Trainee Specialist Division

This is for doctors in recognised postgraduate specialist training posts. Registration is linked to an approved training programme and designated post, not as a general route for any doctor who wants to specialise. Doctors eligible for General registration can qualify for Trainee Specialist registration when their training post begins.

Intern Registration

This division allows eligible medical graduates to complete their internship in a Medical Council-recognised hospital. The HSE allocates internship posts. It is intended for doctors who still need to complete this stage of training.

Supervised Division

This division applies to specific doctors offered an approved post with defined clinical supervision arrangements. The HSE should advise you if your position requires supervised registration.

Visiting EEA Practitioners Division

This route applies to eligible doctors established to practise in another EEA country who intend to provide medical services in Ireland on a temporary, occasional basis. Visiting EEA practitioners' registration has its own eligibility rules.

For most overseas doctors planning to build a career in Ireland, the General Division or Specialist Division is often the best option. However, the right route depends on your qualifications and training history, not simply your nationality or where you currently work. Check which route you qualify for through the eligibility chart.

Irish Medical Council registration requirements for overseas doctors

The Irish Medical Council assesses your medical qualifications, professional history, English language proficiency and eligibility for the division you select.

Recognised primary medical qualification

You must hold a primary medical qualification that meets the Medical Council's recognition requirements. Start by checking whether your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. This is a useful first check, but a directory listing alone does not guarantee that the Council will accept your qualification for registration.

Verification through EPIC

For applicants who completed their medical education outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland and fall under the relevant Category 4 route, the Council requires primary-source verification through the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC), managed by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Depending on your application route, the Council may require verification of your medical degree, internship evidence, and any relevant higher qualification. Complete the required verification before submitting your IMC application.

English language requirements (IELTS and OET Scores)

Doctors must demonstrate that they can communicate effectively in written and spoken English to protect patient safety. Not every applicant needs to submit a language test, because the Council recognises certain qualifications and training routes as evidence of English proficiency. For example, graduates of EU/EEA medical schools, regardless of citizenship, are exempt from proving English language proficiency. For applicants who need a test, the Medical Council accepts the following scores:

Check the Irish Medical Council's current English language guidance for the latest requirements and recognised alternatives. Note: Even if the Medical Council exempts you, the HSE has separate English requirements for NCHD posts. Check your employer’s requirements.

Evidence of knowledge and skills (The PRES Exam)

The Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) assesses the medical knowledge and clinical skills of certain applicants seeking registration in Ireland. You do not automatically need to take PRES simply because you trained overseas. The requirement depends on your eligibility route, qualifications, internship and any applicable examination exemptions. PRES has two examination levels:

• PRES Level 2: A written assessment of medical knowledge.

• PRES Level 3: A clinical skills assessment.

The examinations cover core medical disciplines, including medicine and general practice, surgery, paediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynaecology. You must follow the Medical Council's instructions for your specific route and complete any required assessments. Check the PRES guidance before budgeting for the examinations.

Evidence of registration and licensing history

The Medical Council needs information about your previous medical registration and licensing history. Prepare details of the medical regulatory authorities with which you have been registered. Include your registration numbers, countries of practice, and relevant dates. You may need evidence of your current or previous registration, depending on the checklist for your route.

If you have worked in more than one country, gather the details for each relevant medical regulator. Missing information about a previous registration can delay the assessment of your application.

Certificates of Good Standing (CGS)

A Certificate of Good Standing (CGS), also called evidence of current professional status in some jurisdictions, helps the Medical Council assess your professional standing. This certificate is required if you are applying through General Registration (both EU/EEA and non-EU pathways) and the Specialist Registration route.

The original certificate must be dated within the previous three months and sent directly to the Council by every medical registration authority with which you have been registered during the preceding five years. For example, if you have held medical registration in Spain and later registered in Italy, you may need a certificate from each country’s relevant regulatory authority.

Document requirements

Depending on your route, you may need to have your documents notarised, attested, or translated. Some documents you might need to upload include:

• Notarisation of your current passport.

• Notarisation of other documents, such as medical records or marriage certificates, as required per route.

• Some people who can notarise or attest your documents include a notary public, a justice of the peace or commissioner for oaths, a solicitor in the UK or Ireland, or an approved online notary service.

• If your documents aren’t in English, you need to provide a certified translation.

See the documents checklist. Need your medical degree or internship certificate translated for IMC? Get a free quote.

IMC registration process: step by step

The registration process depends on your eligibility route. If your primary medical qualification is from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland (Category 4), complete the required EPIC verification before submitting your application. Other routes may have different requirements.

Step 1: Check which registration division you qualify for

Before applying, check the Medical Council's eligibility chart to find the registration division that matches your medical education and training. You can apply for one of six divisions, depending on your qualifications and experience. Choosing the correct division helps you understand the requirements and documents you need to prepare.

Step 2: Create an online doctors portal account

Visit the Irish Medical Council website and create an account on the Online Doctors Portal. Select Register Now, verify your email address and enter your personal details.

After creating your account, you will receive a six-digit reference number. Keep this number safe, as you will use your account to start and track your registration application.

Step 3: Complete and submit your application

Log in to your portal and open the registration application under Outstanding Tasks. Select the application category that applies to you and complete the form.

You will need your passport number and details of your medical education, training and work experience. You will also need a debit or credit card to pay the application fee.

Before submitting, review your application summary and check the document list provided for your registration category. After reviewing the information and paying the required fee, submit your application.

Step 4: Submit your supporting documents

Prepare and send the documents required for your registration category. These may include your medical degree, internship evidence, and proof of previous medical registration. Your Certificates of Good Standing are sent directly by your regulator.

If your documents are not in English, arrange translations that meet the Medical Council's requirements. Check whether any documents also need notarisation or other certification, as these are separate from translation.

Where translation is required: Submit a complete English translation alongside the relevant original-language document or copy, following the Council's instructions. Check that names, dates, qualification titles and registration details are consistent across all documents. If your name differs between your passport and medical qualification, you may also need a notarised or attested document explaining the difference.

Follow the Council's instructions for submitting each document. Some records may need to come directly from the issuing institution or medical regulator, rather than being uploaded by you.

Step 5: Wait for your application to be assessed

The Medical Council will acknowledge your application by email. Once it has received the required documents, your application will enter the assessment queue.

An assessor will contact you by email when they begin reviewing your application. You can also log in to the Online Doctors Portal to check its progress. Check your email regularly and respond promptly if the Council asks for more information or additional documents. Missing documents or incomplete information may delay the process.

How long does IMC registration take?

The IMC registration processing takes from about 5 weeks to just over a year, depending on your route. Your timeline depends on your registration route, document readiness, verification requirements and whether you need to sit an examination.

These are processing time estimates, not guarantees, and you may need additional preparation or examination time. Source: Medical Council, as of October 2026. Planning tip: If you have a target hospital start date, work backwards from that date. Include time for English tests, EPIC verification, obtaining Certificates of Good Standing, translation and notarisation, and any required examinations. The Council's assessment time is only one part of the process.

How much does IMC registration cost in 2026?

The cost of IMC registration depends on your division, eligibility route and whether you need additional assessments. The following table outlines the official application fees, translation, and notarisation costs.

Check the applicable category fees before calculating your total.

How Translayte can help with your IMC application

Preparing documents for IMC registration can involve several issuing authorities, languages and certification requirements. Translayte helps overseas doctors obtain English translations and notarisation of medical degrees, internship certificates, Certificates of Good Standing, professional registration documents and other supporting records. Our translation and notarisation services help you complete your EPIC uploads and other registration steps that require translated documents.

Before ordering, share your document list and confirm the Medical Council's requirements for your application route. Translayte can review your documents, provide translation options, and offer a quote and turnaround times.

Need medical document translations or notarisation for Ireland? Request a free quote.