Supervised Division
For doctors to be considered for registration within the Supervised Division they must have been offered a post with the HSE that has been approved as an individually numbered, identifiable post.
Mandatory documentation
An application for registration in the Supervised Division involves two levels
Level 1
Verifies a doctor's qualifications and confirms the doctor has not been subject to disciplinary proceedings in any jurisdiction where they have previously practiced. An application must include the following:
- Medical Council's generic application form
- Notarised/attested copy of your current passport
- Notarised/attested copy of your basic (primary) medical qualification which you received on the day you were conferred, clearly displaying the conferral date
- An original Certificate of Current Professional Status/Good Standing, dated within the last 3 months sent directly to the Medical Council from all overseas registration authorities with whom the doctor has been.
If the name on your degree differs to the name on your Certificate the Medical Council requires your written authority to confirm that you are one and the same person and will require a Sworn Declaration re unregistered practice.
You must include the Level 1 Assessment fee with your application.
On receipt of the completed application (with full supporting documentation) the Council then assesses the doctor's eligibility.
Major delays occur due to application forms being incorrectly filled out or being incomplete. Please read the requirements very carefully.
Level 2
If this application is passed the doctor's application goes forward for Level 2 Assessment that measures a doctor's competence in clinical judgement, communication and data interpretation.
If Level 2 is passed the doctor will then be registered in the Supervised Division. The Medical Council issues a certificate to the doctor confirming the division and details of the post to which the registration applies.
Duration of Registration
A doctor registered in the Supervised Division may remain registered in that division for a maximum period of two years. For doctors registered in the Supervised Division in 2011, this maximum period of two years ends in 2013. For such doctors, to be in a position to be employed for posts in the public health services which may arise in July 2013, it is imperative that they make arrangements without delay to transfer registration.
Doctors currently registered in the Supervised Division are recommended to discuss continuing registration with their employer.
Professional Competence Requirements
All doctors in the Supervised Division of the register must maintain professional competence by enrolling in a professional competence scheme and maintain professional competence activities that are relevant to their practice.
Transferring to the General Division or Trainee Specialist Division
Doctors currently registered in the Supervised Division can continue registration with the Medical Council by applying to transfer to either the General Division or the Trainee Specialist Division of the Register by completing the transfer form.pdf. The Medical Council prioritises such transfer applications and will seek, insofar as possible, to ensure that there is no gap in a doctor’s continuing registration. In addition, doctors who are currently registered in the Supervised Division who apply for a transfer can be prioritised for additional Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) places which have been identified from January to June 2013 by the Medical Council, wherein the doctor is required to take that examination.
To transfer to the General Division doctors must:
1) Make an application for transfer on the appropriate form, which will entail:
- providing the Council with updated information on location and posts held
- a reference from both the supervising consultant and the HR Manager at the clinical site of that post, since being registered in the Supervised Division
2) Completion of the Council’s Pre-Registration Exam (PRES)
NOTE: Some doctors registered in the Supervised Division may be exempt from the PRES. You may find out if you are exempt from the PRES here.
As with any form of application for registration with the Council, failure to complete the application fully and/or provide all necessary documentation will delay the transfer request. Such delays may lead to you being unable to complete both parts of the PRES in time to continue in your post with the HSE. Timely action in registering for the level two examination component of the PRES is important, once you have been given a letter of eligibility from the Council.
A doctor currently registered in the Supervised Division whose eligible period for continuing registration is that division expires will need to make a new application for registration to the Medical Council. Such an application cannot be prioritised by the Medical Council above other new applications for registration. Practising medicine in Ireland while unregistered in an offence under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.
Additional Information
Joint Medical Council/Health Service Executive (HSE) Supervised Division Arrangement Document September 2012.pdf