At present, there are many different pathways for doctors from all over the world to find employment in the UK. However, a recent poll of patients found that most patients would feel comfortable if there was a single assessment for all doctors working in the UK.
Based on the above information, the GMC has approved plans to create a new licensing exam, Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). The MLA will replace the PLAB exam. All the doctors who wish to practice in the UK, including the international medical graduates and the UK medical graduates (with a few possible exceptions), will have to take the MLA.
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Consultation
The process of implementing the MLA was under consultation until 30 April 2017. The decisions regarding next steps for the MLA will be made public on 31 December 2017. You can keep an eye on the latest developments regarding the MLA if you follow the news centre on the GMC website.
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Timeline for Implementation of the MLA
The consultation page and document mention that there would be rounds of piloting for the MLA before making it live for IMGs and the UK graduates in 2022.
Who Will Need to Take the MLA
- UK graduates.
- EEA graduates.
- Non-UK/EEA graduates.
Exemptions to the MLA
It is entirely possible that not everyone might have to take the MLA. This is what the GMC has to say about the exemptions,
“We have no wish to erect unnecessary barriers to good doctors coming to practise in the UK, particularly given the current shortages in some specialties. We will review the current exemptions and consult separately on this issue before introducing the MLA.”
Source: Page 26 The MLA consultation document.
Eligibility Requirements for the MLA
These are unclear at the moment.
Eligibility Requirements for GMC Registration
After the MLA is introduced, these will be the eligibility requirements for GMC registration:
- Primary Medical Qualification (MBBS or MBChB).
- Knowledge of the English language (only for IMGs).
- The MLA.
The Cost of the Exam
The cost of the exam is also unclear. However, it is proposed that the overseas candidates pay the exam fee, while the cost for UK candidates would be met by the GMC and by the medical schools.
The Format of MLA
Just like PLAB, the MLA is expected to have two parts:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
Scoring System
This is also unclear at the moment.
Question Banks
The GMC is considering the idea of including PLAB 1 and 2 question banks in the MLA.
The MLA Part 1 – UK Venue
Each medical school in the UK is expected to hold the test as a part of their final exams.
The MLA Part 1 – Overseas Venue
This is unclear at the moment.
The MLA Part 2 – UK Venue
Two options are being considered at the moment:
- Delivering the test at each UK university.
- Delivering the test at a limited number centres across the UK.
The GMC has ruled out a third option of one clinical assessment centre for everyone.
The MLA Part 2 – Overseas Venue
The MLA Part 2 is not expected to be held overseas.
Source
The major source of information for this post was the GMC’s consultation document regarding the MLA.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the MLA start? As explained above, it is expected to begin from 2022. 2. Will I have to take the MLA? It depends on when you graduate and when the GMC decides to implement the MLA for IMGs. It’s best to keep an eye on the news for latest developments. 3. Would the MLA Part 1 be a part of the UK medical school final exams or would the UK medical students have to take a separate MLA exam? “We envisage that UK medical students would take the MLA test of clinical and professional skills as part of their university finals.” Source: Page 14 of The MLA consultation document. 4. Would the MLA Part 2 be a part of the UK medical school final exams or would the UK medical students have to take a separate MLA exam? “We could consider whether it would be appropriate for some universities to embed the MLA stations in their own OSCEs, and for others to provide separate OSCEs for the MLA stations.” Source: Page 15 of The MLA consultation document. 5. Will the MLA be of the same difficulty level as PLAB? There is no way of knowing that before time. But the GMC is considering the idea of including PLAB’s question banks in the MLA. This is a good sign because the PLAB test is very easy. 6. If the MLA is implemented after I have passed PLAB 1 and before I have passed PLAB 2, will I need to take the MLA? You might have to appear in part 2 of the MLA, but this is unclear at the moment, as there is not enough information available. The GMC will make this clear well before time.