🇮🇪 IMC Registration & Practice Pathways for International Medical Graduates in Ireland

1. Overview

To practise in Ireland, all doctors—including IMGs—must be registered with the Irish Medical Council (IMC) and listed on the Register of Medical Practitioners.
➡️ IMC – Registration main page https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/registration-applications/first-time-applicants/

2. First-Time Applicant: Eligibility & Portal Registration

Applicants determine their category (1–4) based on nationality and where their primary medical qualification was awarded. They then create an online Doctors Portal account to begin the registration process.
➡️ IMC – First-time registration guide medicalcouncil.ie

3. Required Documents

Applicants must provide notarised documentation including:

• A recognized primary medical qualification (from a WDOMS-listed medical school),

• An internship certificate or equivalent experience,

• A Certificate of Good Standing from each jurisdiction practised in over the past five years,

• Specialist training certificate (if applicable),

• Proof of English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS with 7.0 overall and ≥6.5 in each module for non-EU candidates),
  and certified translations where necessary.
  ➡️ IMC – Documentation checklist ImgConnect+10TTM Healthcare+10ECFMG+10medicalcouncil.ie+9MatchMedics+9medicalcouncil.ie+9globalmedics.com+1MatchMedics+1

4. EPIC Verification (Category 4 Applicants)

Non-EU/EEA graduates (Category 4) must complete primary-source verification via EPIC for their medical degree and internship before submitting their IMC application.
➡️ ECFMG – EPIC instructions for Ireland Irish UK Doc+4ECFMG+4globalmedics.com+4

5. PRES Examination (if Required)

Category 4 doctors typically must pass the Pre‑Registration Examination System (PRES)—a written test followed by an OSCE. No more than three attempts are allowed per stage. Exemptions apply to certain recognized qualifications and categories.
➡️ Irish Statutory PRES regulations ImgConnect+15ECFMG+15Medforce Healthcare Recruitment+15ImgConnect+1Irish UK Doc+1

6. Final Assessment & Registration Approval

Once documentation is verified—and PRES passed if needed—the IMC evaluates postgraduate training and experience (Level 4 for general or Level 5 for specialist registration). Applicants pay an assessment fee (€560) and an annual retention fee (€560–605). Successful applicants are then entered onto the appropriate register.
➡️ IMC – Application and fee guide TTM Healthcare+1Head Hunt International+1Head Hunt International+2Locum Express+2MatchMedics+2

7. Practice Permits & Renewal

Doctors may commence practice only after being added to the IMC Register. General registrants typically serve as NCHDs, while specialists practise independently. Registration renewal requires proof of professional indemnity and annual CPD compliance.
➡️ IMC – Registration renewal information Medforce Healthcare Recruitment

Key Eligibility Summaries

• Medical Qualification: Must be from a WDOMS-listed school.
  ➡️ IMC – Eligibility cert doc ECFMG

• Internship Requirement: Minimum of 12 months or accepted equivalent from recognized countries (e.g. UK, Australia, NZ, Pakistan).
  ➡️ IMC/PRES guidance Irish UK Doc+8RCPI+8MatchMedics+8

• Good Standing Certificate: Required from all prior licence-holding jurisdictions.
  ➡️ IMC – Required documentation ImgConnect+8TTM Healthcare+8ECFMG+8

• English Proficiency: IELTS 7.0 overall with ≥6.5 per band (or OET equivalent) unless exempt.
  ➡️ IMC – Language requirements Medforce Healthcare Recruitment+1Locum Express+1

Process Duration & Fees

• Expect 3–5 months for full registration completion (document submission through final approval).

• Total cost generally around €1,000+, covering application and annual fees.
  ➡️ IMC – Processing & cost timeline Locum Express