Pathways Explained

The theoretical part of the UK NMC Test of Competence; it has a numeracy part and a clinical part.

An electronic sponsorship record issued by an eligible UK sponsor for an applicable sponsored-work visa application; it is not the same as a job guarantee or visa approval.

An Indian entrance examination whose applicability to overseas medical study/registration must be checked against current Indian rules.

A term used in India’s medical-education regulatory framework. We do not describe it as your current exam without verifying the rules in force at the time.

The UK regulator for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. Nurses and midwives who trained outside the UK can read the NMC registration guidance for applicants trained outside the UK.

India’s medical-education and medical-registration regulator. Always distinguish it from the UK NMC above.

The practical part of the UK NMC Test of Competence for applicable nursing/midwifery applicants.

The part of the UK Home Office responsible for visas and immigration decisions.

The central application service used for many UK higher-education applications.

A directory of medical schools; a listing does not itself mean recognition, accreditation or endorsement. You can search the World Directory of Medical Schools. A school’s appearance in WDOMS does not by itself establish recognition, accreditation or endorsement, so applicants must check the requirements of the relevant regulator and destination country.

An international organisation concerned with medical-education standards and recognition of accrediting agencies. We do not imply it directly approves individual schools unless an official source says so.

The UK’s national agency for comparing international qualifications. You can check how an overseas qualification compares through UK ENIC. A UK ENIC comparison is advisory and does not replace a regulator’s professional-registration decision.

The UK regulator for dentists and dental care professionals. Overseas-qualified dentists can read the GDC registration guidance.

The UK regulator for a range of allied health professions. Internationally trained applicants can read the HCPC guidance on international applications.

ECFMG provides certification information for international medical graduates who plan to enter U.S. graduate medical education. See the ECFMG certification information for international medical graduates. Certification does not guarantee eligibility for every programme or a U.S. residency position.

The official assessment of whether a foreign professional qualification is equivalent to the relevant German qualification. The competent authority and required documents depend on the profession and federal state.

The full professional licence required to practise medicine independently in Germany. International doctors must follow the applicable recognition, language and licensing process; requirements are set by the responsible authority.

A multi-step examination programme used in the US medical-licensing pathway. International medical graduates must check current ECFMG, examination, graduate-medical-education and state licensing requirements.

The nursing licensure examination used by US nursing regulatory bodies. Passing it is only one part of licensure; the chosen state or territorial board determines the complete eligibility requirements.

Georgia’s national education quality-assurance body. Applicants should use its official records to verify the authorisation of an institution and accreditation status of a programme instead of relying only on an agent’s or university’s promotional claims. Check Georgia’s official accreditation information.

Poland’s national agency supporting academic exchange and providing information about the Polish higher-education system and recognition. University admission and professional licensing remain separate processes handled by the relevant institutions and authorities. Read about the Polish higher-education system.

A credential-assessment service used in the application process for many internationally educated nurses seeking registration in Canada. It does not itself issue a nursing licence; the relevant provincial nursing regulator makes the registration decision. Visit the National Nursing Assessment Service.

An official European Commission resource for checking whether a profession is regulated in a particular European country and identifying the competent authority. Third-country qualifications normally follow the national recognition rules of the country where the applicant wants to practise. Check regulated professions and competent authorities in Europe.