What is PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board?)
PLAB is an exam taken by overseas doctors who want to practice medicine in the UK. PLAB tests basic science and clinical skills, and all PLAB candidates must also pass a language test (which is not the purpose of this article). PLAB 1 test comprises of 7 parts.
Who is PLAB exam for
PLAB 1 test is required for doctors who want to register with the General Medical Council (GMC) to practice medicine in the UK. PLAB also allows candidates to apply for an international general medical council license/certificate, which entitles a doctor to work anywhere in the world. PLAB exam is taken by overseas doctors who have completed their medical degree and are looking to practice medicine in the UK. PLAB is also taken by doctors who want to take examinations leading to membership of a Royal College other than that for which they have qualified, such as anaesthesia.
How the PLAB interview process works:
A PLAB candidate will be invited for an assessment at one of the PLAB Assessment Centers (PAs). PLAB candidates will be interviewed by a PLAB examiner. PLAB Examiners are appointed physicians in the UK. PLAB assessors are responsible for selecting, preparing, and marking PLAB candidates’ assessments at the PA.
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PLAB candidate profile:
A PLAB candidate can be any doctor who has completed medical school and is looking to practice medicine in the UK. PLAB candidates can be doctors from all over the world. PLAB candidates must have a good command of spoken and written English. PLAB requires PLAB candidates to demonstrate knowledge of history taking, examination skills, physical examination, and investigation skills, basic and primary clinical care.
How to apply for the PLAB exam:
PLAB 1 exam is open to PLAB candidates who have completed a medical degree. PLAB candidates can apply for PLAB by clicking on the “apply” button on the official PLAB website. PLAB candidates will be asked to register as an applicant on the PLAB website, creating an account and entering personal information, such as name, contact details, and upload a passport picture. PLAB candidates are then required to pay an application fee for PLAB 1 by using any major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) online. PLAB candidates will receive an email from the PLAB team acknowledging that the PLAB candidate has paid PLAB fees. When the PLAB candidate’s fee payment is successful, the PLAB team will email the PLAB candidate a PLAB ID number and password. PLAB candidates have to login into the PLAB website using the registered username and password.
PLAB Requirements
1) Undergraduate medical degrees from an accredited university in the country where they are registered and qualified.
2) Certificate of completion for a minimum of two years, or equivalent, post-graduation experience (PGE) which should be one of the following:
- Within the UK – PGE must have taken place within the 5 years preceding your application.
- Outside the UK – PGE must have taken place within the 3 years preceding your application.
3) Proof of English proficiency (non-native English speakers).
4) Passport photograph.
5) A valid GMC registration number (if you have one).
PLAB Syllabus
The PLAB syllabus is set by the GMC and is divided into 4 sections – knowledge, clinical skills (basic science), clinical skills (clinical reasoning), and communication.