Overview
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) is a common assessment, set by the General Medical Council (GMC), that doctors must meet to join the UK medical register. It is designed to confirm that every newly registered doctor, regardless of where they trained, meets the same standard for safe practice.
Exam pattern
| Component | Focus |
|---|---|
| Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) | Computer-based test of medical knowledge and its application |
| Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA) | Practical assessment of clinical and professional skills |
UK medical students sit the AKT and CPSA through their own medical school as part of their final-year assessments. International medical graduates meet the same standard through GMC-approved routes, so check the GMC page for the route that applies to you.
Who can apply
UK medical students in their final year are assessed against the UKMLA standard through their medical school. International medical graduates seeking GMC registration follow the GMC's own routes to registration.
Preparation tips
Treat the AKT and CPSA as testing different skills — applied knowledge versus hands-on clinical and professional skills — and prepare for them separately.
International medical graduates should check the GMC's current guidance on which UKMLA route applies to them, since routes to registration can change.
FAQs
Do UK medical graduates and international medical graduates take the same UKMLA?
Both groups must meet the same standard, but UK students sit the AKT and CPSA through their medical school, while international medical graduates follow the GMC's own routes to registration.
What is the purpose of the UKMLA?
It sets a single common standard that doctors must meet to join the UK medical register, regardless of where they trained.