CERTIFICATE CONFIRMING ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALIST REGISTRATION (CESR - Article 14)

The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB), was created by UK legislation and became fully operational on the 30 September 2005 replacing the Specialist Training Authority (STA).

Article 14 is part of the new legislation that allows doctors who have not completed a UK specialist training programme to apply for a statement of eligibility for the General Medical Council's (GMCs) Specialist Register. Entry to the Specialist Register entitles doctors to take up honorary, substantive or fixed term consultant positions in the NHS.

Article 14 of the legislation allows any combination of qualifications and/or training and experience gained anywhere in the world to be evaluated as part of an application for entry to the GMC Specialist Register. The PMETB is the body responsible for the implementation of the new legislation and it will define the standards and process for the assessment of Article 14 applications.

Article 14 also provides a route to the Specialist Register for a small number of doctors with highly specialised knowledge and skill derived from academic or research work.

Doctors are strongly advised to read all relevant guidance published on the PMETB website and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists website prior to submitting an Article 14 application to PMETB.

PMETB has made the following statement about Article 14 applications (May 2007):

Article 14/Certificate confirming Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) - new curricula requirements:

From the 1 August 2007, new Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) curricula will be introduced for all specialties. The introduction of new curricula will not only affect new trainees, but it will also have implications for doctors who wish to apply via PMETB for a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR).

Doctors applying for a CESR are required to demonstrate that they meet the standards required for a CCT at the point in time which they apply. Therefore doctors applying for a CESR on or from 1 August 2007 are required to demonstrate that they meet the standards set out in the new curricula.

The new curriculum for Ophthalmology is on the College website at: New Curriculum

New Specialty Specific Guidance (SSG) based on the new curriculum is being developed by the College and PMETB will put the new SSG on its website as soon as it is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions for applications submitted to PMETB FAQ (updated December 2009) on completing applications and a consolidated record sheet for summarising your procedures (please note this must be validated and a validated log book should also be supplied) and guidance for assessors for further information.

The College is not in a position to give advice over the telephone.

Resources are limited at the College and visits to the College must be by appointment only.

Please note that in providing you with any specialty specific advice and guidance in respect of your Article 14 application, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is not responsible for giving guarantees or opinions as to the likelihood of your application being successful; nor can any such advice guarantee success in any application to the PMETB.

Email: CESR@pmetb.org.uk
Telephone: 0871 220 3070 and 44(0)20 7160 6187
Website: www.pmetb.org.uk

Contacting the College

All specialty specific questions must be made in writing, by email or letter to:

Email article14enquiries@rcophth.ac.uk.

Write to: Miss Alex Tytko
Head of Education and Training
Education and Training Department
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
17 Cornwall Terrace
London
NW1 4QW

Please see flowchart on the application process.