Regulated professions
In the UK a number of jobs are regulated by law: you cannot practise without a licence from a statutory body — even if you hold the right degree. A degree from a CIS country and a UK ENIC letter do not give you an automatic right to work. Each profession has its own exam, its own regulator and its own route.
What is a regulated profession?
a degree is not a licenceA regulated profession is one where you must get a licence from a statutory body before you can work — even if you hold the right degree. Your overseas degree and your work experience may count towards part of the requirements, but they do not give you automatic permission to practise.
A UK ENIC letter confirms the level of your qualification — it does not replace professional registration. How to get one is explained on our page UK ENIC: degree recognition.
Key professions at a glance
who regulates and what you sit| Profession | Regulator | Key assessments | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | GMC | PLAB 1 + PLAB 2 (or UKMLA) | IELTS 7.5 / OET B |
| Nursing / midwifery | NMC | NMC ToC Part 1 + OSCE | IELTS 7.0/6.5 · OET B/C+ |
| Dentistry | GDC | ORE Part 1 + Part 2 | IELTS 7.0 / OET B |
| Teaching | TRA | QTS: recognition — of the post-Soviet countries, Ukraine only; for the rest — a PGCE/ITT in England or Assessment Only | CEFR B2 minimum |
| Law (solicitor) | SRA | SQE1 + SQE2 + 2 years QWE | No IELTS standard |
| Architecture | ARB | Qualification recognition assessment | No IELTS standard |
| Pharmacy | GPhC | Fitness to practise check + exams | IELTS 7.0 / OET B |
Medicine (GMC)
PLAB and UKMLAThe General Medical Council (GMC) registers doctors. A medical degree from a CIS country lets you register for the PLAB test:
- PLAB Part 1 — written knowledge test. Normally costs £283 (the GMC rate from 1 April 2026)
- PLAB Part 2 — clinical assessment. Normally £1,036 (from 1 April 2026)
Required before PLAB: IELTS 7.5 overall (7.0 in each component) or OET Grade B — this is a hard prerequisite.
For refugee doctors: PLAB 1 is free and PLAB 2 has a 50% discount (about £518). More on the Medicine and healthcare page.
The UK Medical Licensing Assessment is being introduced gradually. Check the current timelines on the GMC website before you apply.
Widening access programmes for medicine
Nursing / midwifery (NMC)
Test of CompetenceThe Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registers nurses and midwives. International applicants sit:
- NMC Test of Competence Part 1 — computer-based knowledge test
- NMC Test of Competence Part 2 (OSCE) — objective structured clinical examination
The English requirement (IELTS Academic): Listening/Reading/Speaking — at least 7.0, Writing — at least 6.5. OET: Listening/Reading/Speaking — no lower than Grade B (350+), Writing — no lower than Grade C+ (300+). This is a strict requirement.
Teaching (TRA / QTS)
2 routesLaw — solicitor (SRA / SQE)
4 requirementsThe Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates solicitors. The SQE replaced the LPC/GDL route in 2021. What you need:
- Pass SQE1 (functioning legal knowledge)
- Pass SQE2 (legal skills)
- Complete 2 years of Qualifying Work Experience
- Meet the character and suitability requirements
A law degree from a CIS country: no automatic exemptions, but it lets you apply for SQE1 directly, without a conversion course.
Architecture (ARB)
assessment takes yearsCommon mistakes
5 points- Thinking a UK ENIC letter lets you practise — it only confirms the level of your degree.
- Sitting PLAB or the NMC Test of Competence before you reach the required English level.
- Enrolling on an MSc Psychology without BPS accreditation — that makes the degree useless for clinical psychology.
- Using unregulated agencies that promise to fast-track professional registration — there is no legal shortcut.
- Applying for QTS recognition with a degree from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or Russia — refused: these countries are not on the DfE list. Of the post-Soviet countries, recognition works for Ukraine only.
Frequently asked questions
Is a UK ENIC comparability letter enough to practise a regulated profession?
No. A UK ENIC letter confirms the level of your qualification — it does not give you the right to practise. Each regulated profession requires separate registration with its statutory body (GMC, NMC, TRA, SRA, ARB). These are entirely separate processes.
What does a CIS-qualified doctor need to do to practise medicine in the UK?
You must pass PLAB Part 1 (written knowledge) and PLAB Part 2 (clinical assessment), then obtain GMC registration. Prerequisite before registering for PLAB: IELTS 7.5 overall (7.0 in each component) or OET Grade B. PLAB 1 costs £283 and PLAB 2 costs £1,036 (the GMC rates from 1 April 2026). For refugee doctors PLAB 1 is free and PLAB 2 has a 50% discount (about £518). UKMLA will gradually replace PLAB — check current GMC guidance for timelines.
What English standard is required for NMC nursing registration?
IELTS Academic: Listening/Reading/Speaking — at least 7.0, Writing — at least 6.5. OET: Listening/Reading/Speaking — no lower than Grade B (350+), Writing — no lower than Grade C+ (300+). This is a strict requirement, not a recommendation. Taking the NMC Test of Competence before reaching this level is a waste of time and money.
Can Ukrainian teachers get QTS more easily than other overseas teachers?
Yes. Since the change in the rules, teachers from Ukraine can apply for QTS through recognition of Ukrainian teaching qualifications, with a UK ENIC statement and proof of CEFR B2. For Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia and Belarus this route is closed: they are not on the DfE country list, and the application will be refused. Their path is teacher training in England (a PGCE or another ITT course, one year, with SFE and a bursary in shortage subjects) or Assessment Only if you already have experience in an English school.
Does a CIS law degree give exemptions from the SQE in the UK?
No automatic exemptions. However, holding a law degree means you can apply directly for SQE1 without needing a separate legal knowledge conversion course. You still must pass SQE1, SQE2, and complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience.
Are CIS architecture degrees automatically recognised in the UK?
No. ARB (Architects Registration Board) does not automatically recognise CIS architecture degrees. You must apply for a qualification recognition assessment. The process takes several years.
Last updated: 8 May 2026. Sources: GMC, NMC, TRA — QTS, SRA — SQE, ARB, UK ENIC. Regulator requirements and language thresholds change — check them on your own regulator's website before you send any documents.