- The GMC register is public and covers doctors, physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs).
- You can search by name or GMC reference number, and enter several reference numbers separated by a space or comma.
- Practising medicine without registration and a licence to practise is illegal.
- From 13 December 2026 it becomes an offence to practise as a PA or AA without registration.
What an entry shows
The GMC says each entry gives the type of registration a person holds and, for a doctor, whether they hold a licence to practise. It also shows whether a doctor is registered as a GP or a specialist, the date they registered, and any fitness to practise history since 20 October 2005. Education details are included too: the year and place their main qualification was awarded, further training, and the organisation that looks after their appraisal.
The GMC adds that not every doctor working as a specialist consultant has to be on the Specialist Register, so a missing specialist entry is not automatically a warning sign.
How to search
- Open the GMC's search page and choose whether to search all professions or one group, such as doctors only.
- Enter the person's name or their GMC reference number. For several people, enter the numbers separated by a space or a comma.
- Read the registration type and licence status, not just whether a record exists.
- If the person is both a doctor and a PA or AA, there is a note under each entry with a link between them.
Reading the result
| Registration type (GMC) | What it permits |
|---|---|
| Provisional, with a licence to practise | An approved UK Foundation Year 1 post only |
| Full, with a licence to practise | Unsupervised practice, or an approved Foundation Year 2 programme |
| Full, in an approved practice setting | Practice only with a connection to a designated body |
| Specialist | Most consultant posts in a medical or surgical specialty, other than locum consultants |
| GP register | Required for GPs in the NHS since 1 April 2006, except doctors in training |
PAs and AAs have one type of registration, with no provisional status and no licence to practise.
What a search cannot do
A register entry shows status. It does not prove that the person in front of you is the person on the entry. The GMC says employers can use the register to check status suits the work, to make an initial identity check, and to see conditions, warnings or restrictions, and that other pre-employment checks are not on the register. Employers' duties are covered in how employers verify doctors.
The title alone proves nothing either. “Doctor” is not a protected title, because it can describe a PhD. The GMC lists protected titles including general practitioner, surgeon, physician and bachelor of medicine, as well as any title implying registration with the GMC. A person using “Dr” may be entirely lawful provided they are not practising medicine or claiming registration.
If you cannot find them, or the entry is wrong
- Try the reference number, then a different spelling or a full-register search rather than a single group.
- If you think someone is practising medicine without registration and a licence, email urp@gmc-uk.org or call 0161 923 6602. Give the name, what happened, who you have already told, any evidence such as a web address or advertisement, and consent to share the information.
- If the person is registered with a licence but you are still worried, the GMC says you can make a complaint instead.
- For nurses and other professions, the GMC cannot investigate; go to that profession's regulator, such as the NMC (how to check NMC registration).
After a report the GMC says it may advise the person of the law, send cease and desist notices, or refer the matter to the police, which may lead to prosecution, a criminal record and a substantial fine. For a real case of someone who worked on a forged degree, see fake doctor cases in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone search the GMC register?
Yes. The GMC provides a public search of its registers of doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates, by name or by GMC reference number.
Can I check several doctors at once?
Yes. Enter multiple GMC reference numbers in the search box, separated by a space or a comma.
Does a register entry prove the person is who they say?
No. It confirms registration status. The GMC describes the register as a way to make an initial identity check, and employers still need to identify the person properly.
Is 'Doctor' a protected title?
On its own, no. It can mean an academic doctorate. Using the title is lawful so long as the person is not practising medicine or claiming GMC registration, according to the GMC.
How do I report someone practising without registration?
Email urp@gmc-uk.org or call 0161 923 6602, with the person's name, what happened and any evidence you have, as set out by the GMC.
Do physician associates have to be registered?
Not yet by law. The GMC says it is encouraged now and becomes an offence to practise as a PA or AA without registration from 13 December 2026.