Category E
When an applicant is not eligible to apply under the other Categories for Specialist Registration they may instead apply to have their application assessed by a recognised Training Body. The Training Body will then advise the Medical Council on the applicant's eligibility for specialist registration.
Transfer applicants do not have to supply the following documentation as they are already registered:
- Certificates of Good Standing / Professional Status
- Evidence of Identification
- Evidence of Basic (Primary) Medical Qualification
Transfer applicants do have to supply the following:
- Completed and signed application form.pdf
- Supporting documentation - notarised, attested and translated as appropriate
- Please click on the link below to download a checklist of required documentation for Category E applications;
Category E Requirements.pdf
Method of Assessment
The assessment of the applicant's training and experience will measure their competencies in each area of their chosen specialty against the competencies set out for graduates of structured training programmes in Ireland. Where the results of the assessment are positive the Training Body will recommend that the applicant for entry into the Specialist Division of the Register. Where the results of the assessment identify deficits in training and experience the applicant will be advised by the Training Body and / or the Medical Council on how identified deficits may be addressed.
Stages of Assessment
This broadly outlines the stages of assessment that an application will go through. It is important that the applicant responds promptly to requests for information at each stage in order to facilitate the assessment process. This outlines the typical process. Training Bodies may vary in their own individual application of the process.
- Upon successful completion of a Level 1 assessment the application is referred to an approved Postgraduate Training Body for assessment
- The Training Body typically contacts the applicant directly requesting further information and its own assessment fee
- Upon receipt of the above documentation the Training Body contacts the applicant's referees. Note: Applications frequently become delayed at this stage if referees do not respond. The responsibility is on the applicant to ensure the timely and effective response of referees in the format (i.e. structured references etc) required by the Training Body
- The completed application is referred to Medical Assessors for full assessment
- The results of the assessment are submitted to the Medical Council for consideration and where appropriate a final decision
Competencies Set out by Training Bodies
'Competencies' typically outline in depth both the medical and non-medical competencies that a doctor needs to attain in orCompetencies differ from entry criteria as follows: the criteria for entry set out the requirements that a doctor must have in order to be assessed by the relevant Training Body. Competencies set out the typical suite of skills that the doctor must attain in each specialty area in order to be recognised as a specialist. For further information on competencies in general, and on competencies in your chosen specialist area, please see below for the list of recognised specialties and associated training bodies. The criteria for applying are set out for each individual training body. .
Note: Before applying, applicants are advised to take time to study criteria the training curricula and the training programmes / competency documents for their chosen specialty, accessible below. Applicants are advised to consider their training and experience to date in the light of the competencies set out before proceeding further.
Additional Information