- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Medical Act 1983, Section 55 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 17 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
[F1(1)]In this Act—
“acceptable overseas qualification” has the meaning given by [F2section 21B(2)] above;
[F3“acceptable programme for provisionally registered doctors” has the meaning given by section 10A(1) above;]
[F4“adaptation period” means a period of practice, subject to an assessment and, where necessary, accompanied by further training, which is supervised by a fully registered medical practitioner;]
[F4“aptitude test” means an assessment, with the aim of determining whether a specified state professional has the knowledge, skills and experience that the General Council consider to be required for practising as a fully registered medical practitioner;]
“additional qualification” has the meaning given by section 16(2) above;
F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F6“CCT” means a certificate of completion of training awarded under section 34L(1);]
[F7“competent authority” means any authority or body of a relevant European State designated by that State for the purposes of the Directive as competent to—
receive or issue evidence of qualifications or other information or documents, or
receive applications and take the decisions referred to in the Directive,
in connection with the practice of medicine;]
[F8“the Directive” means Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7th September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (OJ No L255, 30.09.2005, p 22), and any reference in this Act to the Directive or to any provision of the Directive is a reference to the Directive, or to that provision of the Directive, as it had effect immediately before IP completion day (but see subsections (2) and (3) below);]
F9...
[F10“Directive 2002/58/EC” means Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications), as amended from time to time;]
F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“disqualifying decision” has the meaning given by section 44(2) above;
F12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F13“enforceable EU right” means a right recognised and available in domestic law, immediately before IP completion day, by virtue of section 2(1) of the European Communities Act 1972;]
“exempt person” has the meaning given in section 19(2) above;
F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F15“fully registered person” means a person for the time being registered under section 3, 14A, [F1618A,] 19, 19A, 21B, 27A or 27B above as a fully registered medical practitionerF17... and—]
and “fully registered” shall be construed accordingly;
“the General Council” means the General Medical Council;
[F6“General Practitioner Register” means the register kept by the General Council under section 34C;]
[F20“the General Systems Regulations” means the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/2059)
[F21in relation to anything done before IP completion day, as they had effect at that time;
otherwise, as (and only to the extent that) they have effect, on or after IP completion day, in relation to an entitlement which arose before IP completion day or arises as a result of something done before IP completion day];]
[F6“GP Registrar” means a medical practitioner who is being trained in general practice whether as part of training leading to the award of a CCT or otherwise;]
F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“impaired”, in relation to a person’s fitness to practise, has the meaning given in section 35C(2) above;
F23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F24“the MPTS” means the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service]
“national”, in relation to a [F25relevant European State], has the same meaning as in the [F26EU] Treaties, but does not include a person who by virtue of Article 2 of Protocol No. 3 (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) to the Treaty of Accession [F27was not, immediately before IP completion day] to benefit from Community provisions relating to the free movement of persons and services;
[F28“the necessary knowledge of English”, in relation to a person, means the knowledge of English which, in the interests of himself and his patients, is necessary for the practice of medicine in the United Kingdom;]
[F6“NHS consultant” means a consultant other than a locum consultant (but including an honorary consultant) employed for the purposes of providing any service as part of any of the UK health services;]
F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“the prescribed knowledge and skill” has the meaning given by section 5(4) above;
F30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“the prescribed standard of proficiency” has the meaning given by section 5(4) above;
“primary European qualification” shall be construed in accordance with section 17 above;
“primary United Kingdom qualification” has the meaning given by section 4(3) above;
[F31“professional performance” includes a medical practitioner’s professional competence; ]
[F10“professional traineeship” means a period of professional practice, carried out under supervision, that—
constitutes a condition for access to the medical profession in the country in which it is carried out; and
takes place during or after completion of a course of education leading to an educational qualification pursued for the purpose of entry to that profession;]
“provisionally registered” means provisionally registered under section 15 , [F3215A, 21 or 21C] above;
“qualification”, except where the context otherwise requires, means any diploma, degree, fellowship, membership, licence, authority to practise, letters testimonial, certificate or other status or document granted in respect of any branch or branches of medicine by any university, corporation, college or other body or by any department of, or persons acting under the authority of, the government of any country or place;
F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F6“recognised specialty” means a specialty which the Privy Council have designated as a recognised specialty by order under section 34D(3);]
[F34“the register” means the register of medical practitioners;]
“the Registrar” has the meaning given by section 2(1) above but subject to sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 to this Act;
[F35“relevant European State” means an EEA State or Switzerland;]
[F31“revalidation” has the meaning given in section 29A above;]
F36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F6“Specialist Register” means the register kept by the General Council under section 34D;]
[F4“specified state professional” means a person who holds a specified state qualification;]
[F4“specified state qualification” means a medical qualification granted in one of the states specified in Schedule 1 to the Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023;]
[F31“the statutory committees” has the meaning given in section 1(3A) above;]
[F10“third country” means a country other than a relevant European State;]
[F37“the UK GDPR” has the same meaning as in Parts 5 to 7 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3(10) and (14) of that Act);]
[F6“the UK health services” means—
the health service as defined by section 275(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 206(1) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 ;
the health service as defined by section 108(1) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 ; and
any of the health services under any enactment which extends to Northern Ireland and which corresponds to section 1(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006;]
[F38(1ZA)For the purposes of this Act an application for registration is made when it is received by the Registrar.]
[F39(1A)References in this Act to the over-arching objective are to the over-arching objective of the General Council under section 1(1A) (read with section 1(1B)).]
[F40(2)In relation to anything done before the adoption by the Council of Directive 93/16/EEC, references in this Act to [F41the Directive], or to any provision of [F41the Directive], shall be construed as references to, or to the corresponding provision of, the following Directives as for the time being amended, namely—
(a)Council Directive No.75/362/EEC concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in medicine; and
(b)Council Directive No.75/363/EEC concerning the coordination of provisions in respect of activities of doctors.]
[F42(3)In relation to anything done—
(a)before the adoption by the Council and the European Parliament of the Directive, but
(b)after the adoption by the Council of Directive 93/16/EEC,
references in this Act to the Directive, or to any provision of the Directive, shall be construed as references to, or to any corresponding provision of, Directive 93/16/EEC as for the time being amended.
(4)In this section, “Directive 93/16/EEC” means Council Directive 93/16/EEC of 5th April 1993 to facilitate the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications (OJ No. L165, 7.7.93, p.1).]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 55 renumbered as s. 55(1) (10.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1591, reg. 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(1)
F2Words in s. 55(1) substituted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 41(a)
F3Words in s. 55(1) inserted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 1.8.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), art. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 33(a)
F4Words in s. 55(1) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 15
F5Words in s. 55(1) omitted (1.1.2009) by virtue of The Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1774), art. 1(5), Sch. 1 para. 20(b); S.I. 2008/2556, art. 2(2)(a)(ii)
F6Words in s. 55(1) inserted (11.2.2010 for specified purposes, 1.4.2010 in so far as not already in force) by The General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/234), art. 1(3)(4), Sch. 1 para. 16; S.I. 2010/478, art. 2(b)
F7Words in s. 55(1) inserted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(a)(i)
F8Words in s. 55(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(a) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 1 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 8(2), 9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F9Words in s. 55(1) omitted (25.5.2018) by virtue of Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 23 (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)
F10Words in s. 55(1) inserted (18.11.2016) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1030), regs. 1, 9(3) (with reg. 155)
F11Words in s. 55(1) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(a)(ii)
F12Words in s. 55(1) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(a)(iii)
F13Words in s. 55(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(b) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 1 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 8(2), 9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F14Definition in s. 55(1) repealed (10.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1591, reg. 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(2)(c)(f)
F15Words in s. 55(1) substituted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(a)(iv)
F16Words in s. 55(1) inserted (9.7.2008) by The Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1774), art. 1(2)(b), Sch. 1 para. 20(a)
F17Words in s. 55(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(c) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 1 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F18Words in s. 55(1) substituted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 41(b)(ii)
F19Words in s. 55(1) omitted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by virtue of The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 15(a)
F20Words in s. 55(1) substituted (18.11.2016) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1030), regs. 1, 9(2) (with reg. 155)
F21Words in s. 55(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(d) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 1 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 8(2), 9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F22Words in s. 55(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(e) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 1 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F23Words in s. 55(1) omitted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by virtue of The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 15(b)
F24Words in s. 55(1) inserted (31.12.2015) by The General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise and Over-arching Objective) and the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (References to Court) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/794), arts. 1(3), 2(3); S.I. 2015/1952, art. 2(a)
F25Words in s. 55(1) substituted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(a)(vi)
F26Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043), arts. 2, 3, 6 (with arts. 3(2)(3), 4(2), 6(4)(5))
F27Words in s. 55(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(f) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 1 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 8(2), 9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F28Words in s. 55(1) substituted (29.4.2014) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) (Knowledge of English) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1101), arts. 1(1), 10(2) (with arts. 11, 12)
F29Words in s. 55(1) omitted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by virtue of The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 15(c)
F30Words in s. 55(1) omitted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 1.8.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by virtue of The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), art. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 33(b)
F31Words in s. 55(1) inserted (17.12.2002 for specified purposes, 7.7.2004, 1.11.2004, 8.9.2009 for specified purposes as notified in the London Gazette dated 21.8.2009) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(h), 15(6)(c) (with Sch. 2)
F32Words in s. 55(1) substituted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 41(c)
F33In s. 55(1) definition of "recognised overseas qualification" omitted (17.12.2002) by virtue of The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3135), arts. 1(2)(h), 15(6)(a) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 2)
F34Words in s. 55(1) substituted (19.7.2006 for specified purposes, 19.10.2007 in so far as not already in force as notified in the London Gazette dated 20.7.2007) by The Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1914), arts. 1(2)(b)(c)(3), 15(d)
F35Words in s. 55(1) inserted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(a)(vii)
F36Definition in s. 55(1) repealed (10.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1591, reg. 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(2)(c)(f)
F37Words in s. 55(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 11 (with Sch. 3 para. 112); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F38S. 55(1ZA) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(3) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 1 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 9); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F39S. 55(1A) inserted (3.8.2015) by The General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise and Over-arching Objective) and the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (References to Court) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/794), arts. 1(3), 21(12) (with art. 1(4)); S.I. 2015/1579, art. 2(l)
F40S. 55(2) inserted (10.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1591, reg. 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(3)
F41Words in s. 55(2) substituted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(b)
F42S. 55(3)(4) inserted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 29(c)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: