Portfolio Pathway formerly Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)
Doctors must have their names entered on the General Medical Council's (GMC's) Specialist Register before taking up substantive, honorary or fixed term NHS consultant posts in the UK.
The Portfolio Pathway (formerly known as CESR) is the route to specialist registration for doctors who have not completed a GMC-approved training programme, but who are able to demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills and experience (KSEs) required for practising as an eligible specialist in the UK.
The legislation changed on 30 November 2023 from ‘equivalent to a CCT in the specialty in question’ to ‘knowledge, skills and experience (KSE) required for practising as an eligible specialist or GP in the UK’.
Portfolio pathway from 30 November 2023
You can find all the information about the KSE required for practising as an eligible specialist in the UK, in the Specialty Specific Guidance for Portfolio pathway applications (SSG). This guidance is comprehensive and sets out exactly what you need to provide to meet the standard. Specialty Specific Guidance for Portfolio pathway formerly CESR How do I apply for the Portfolio Pathway? (formerly CESR)
You make your application directly to the GMC. The GMC will send your completed application to us for specialist evaluation. We evaluate and make a recommendation to the GMC as to whether the application should be approved, but the GMC makes the final decision.
The GMC have comprehensive guidance about how to apply which you will find here GMC Guidance for Portfolio pathway application
Information about applications pre 30 November 2023- the CESR route The standard for this route is ‘equivalent to a CCT in the specialty in question’ (The Post-graduate Medical Education and Training Order of Council 2010). This means that you need to demonstrate equivalence to the curriculum current at the time of application. Contacts
Email Telephone number 020 7869 6256. Please note that any queries regarding administration of Portfolio Pathway applications (formerly CESR) should be directed to the GMC at 0161 923 6602 or via email portfolio@gmc-uk.org. Their office hours are 9am-5pm 0161 923 6602 (9am to 5pm UK time).