A RANGE of extra fees for doctors will be introduced in 2016, the General Medical Council has announced.
The regulator plans to bring in a 1.5 per cent charge for all credit card transactions, plus an £8 fee for those who pay their annual retention fee (ARF) by monthly or quarterly direct debit. Those who pay their ARF in a single direct debit, or by debit card, will not have to pay the fee.
Similarly, doctors who wish to change their status on the medical register – for example when they relinquish or restore their licence to practise – will be charged £10.
A large rise is in store for international graduates who wish to sit the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test in order to join the UK medical register.
From February 1, 2016 the charge for sitting part one of the exam will rise by 48 per cent, from £155 to £230. Part two costs will jump 80 per cent, from £465 to £840. The GMC said these charges may rise further once the second part of the test is updated at the end of 2016.
New charges are also planned for doctors who want to revalidate but have no connection to a responsible officer or suitable person. From January 18, 2016 they will have to pay £250 for an annual return and £1,000 for a revalidation assessment.
More information is available on the GMC website
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.
Save this article
Save this article to a list of favourite articles which members can access in their account.
Save to library