All you need to know about PLAB 2

What is the PLAB 2 exam?

The PLAB 2 exam is the final part of the Professional Linguistic and Assessments Board test. PLAB is a licensing exam used to determine whether an International Medical Graduate (IMG) is eligible for GMC registration. PLAB 2 is the practical part of the test that examines your ability to apply clinical knowledge to scenarios and situations surrounding patient care.

If you graduated from a medical school outside of the UK, European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, there is a strong possibility that you will need to take the PLAB test. Its purpose is to check if you can do the same as a doctor starting the second year of their Foundation Programme training (FY2) in the UK. This includes being able to diagnose and treat common, important, and acute conditions seen by trainees as well as manage long-term conditions seen in primary care. All the questions in the PLAB 2 exam relate to current best practices. You should answer them in relation to published evidence and not according to your local arrangements.

Our comprehensive PLAB 2 guide provides key information for those planning to register in order to practice medicine in the UK and who are required to take the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test. Within this guide, we will look at:

• Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA)
• ​The PLAB 2 eligibility criteria
• ​PLAB 2 costs and fees
• ​Cancellation fees
• ​Where the PLAB 2 exam is located
• ​How to book the exam
• ​The exam structure
• ​Common PLAB 2 questions
• ​When to expect your PLAB 2 results

Do IMG doctors need to do PLAB and the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA)?

From 2024, UK medical students and most graduates outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will need to take a new exam. The Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) builds on the GMC’s existing assurance work to set a common threshold for safe practice. UK students will take the MLA as part of their medical degree. Medical graduates trained outside the EEA will take the MLA instead of the PLAB test.

What is the PLAB 2 eligibility criteria?

Before booking your PLAB 2 exam, you will need to have completed and passed PLAB 1 within the last three years.

You can read more about the process and requirements for PLAB 1 here <The ultimate PLAB 1 exam guide>.

How much are PLAB 2 fees?

Bookings from 1st April 2023 for PLAB 2 will cost £934.

What are the PLAB 2 cancellation fees?

Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test cancellation fees	Bookings from 1 April 2023
PLAB 1 – cancellations over 42 days before exam	£25.50
PLAB 1 – cancellations less than 42 days before exam	£255
PLAB 2 – cancellations over 42 days before exam	£93.40
PLAB 2 – cancellations between 42 and 28 days before exam	£467
PLAB 2 – cancellations less than 28 days before exam	£934

Route without a postgraduate qualification

Step One

You must have completed your primary medical qualification. If your primary medical qualification is from outside of the UK and not a relevant European qualification, you will need to make sure it is accepted in the UK.

Learn more about primary medical qualification requirements here <Primary medical qualifications for International Medical Graduates blog>

Step Two

If you are applying to the GMC for full registration with a licence to practise you will need to prove you have gained the experience to work as a doctor in the UK. In the UK, this is the equivalent of completing the first year of the Foundation Programme (F1). If you have completed a period or pre-graduate or postgraduate experience outside of the UK, this internship must meet the GMC’s criteria.

Learn more about overseas internship requirements here <Overseas internship requirements for International Medical Graduates blog>

Step Three

You will need to demonstrate evidence of the necessary knowledge of English to the GMC. This could be through IELTS or OET

Learn more about IELTS <What is IELTS > and OET <What is OET?>

Step Four

Apply to join the UK medical register for doctors with the GMC

Learn more about how to join the medical register here

Step Five

If you graduated from a school outside of the UK, EEA, or Switzerland and want to register with the GMC for full registration with a licence to practise, you will need to take the PLAB test. This is to confirm that you can do the same as a doctor starting their second year of Foundation Programme training (FY2).

Learn all you need to know about PLAB 1 here <PLAB 1 exam: The ultimate guide for doctors>

Step Six

Once you have passed PLAB part 1 with the required scores, you will need to book PLAB part 2 which is a practical exam in the UK.

Learn all you need to know about PLAB 2 here <All you need to know about PLAB 2>

Step Seven

You will need to get these qualifications independently verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Learn all you need to know about EPIC and ECFMG document verification here <EPIC and ECFMG document verification for International Medical Graduates>

Step Eight

Once you have completed steps 1-7 you can apply for your licence to practise with the GMC.

After you have ensured you have all of the documentation for a valid registration with the GMC you will need to start looking for a job in the UK. You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.

You can apply for roles directly with the NHS or utilise the skills and expertise of a third party to guide you through the application process and secure your job interviews.

Pulse has an experienced and fast-growing permanent division that specialises in supporting international doctors during the entire relocation process. You can register with Pulse today or contact the team today if you’d like them to help you find a job in the UK or have any questions on enquires@pulsejobs.com

From 2024, UK medical students and most graduates outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will need to take a new exam. The Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) builds on the GMC’s existing assurance work to set a common threshold for safe practice. UK students will take the MLA as part of their medical degree. Medical graduates trained outside the EEA will take the MLA instead of the PLAB test.

All of the information in this article was accurate at the time of being written in December 2021.