Certification Types

There are different types of certificates available to specialists in the UK issued by the General Medical Council (GMC) based on their knowledge, skills and experience. 

  1. Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
  2. Combined Programme (Formerly known as CESR CP)
  3. Portfolio Pathway (Formerly known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR)

There is one type of certificate in the Republic of Ireland issued by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland:

  1. Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST)

If you are a UK trainee, you will be issued a National Training Number (NTN) by your Deanery and this will indicate the certification route you have been placed on.

More information on specialist registration types can be read here on the GMC website. 

You are on the CCT route if:

You are a UK trainee who achieved the required competences considered towards your appointment to a NTN programme in GMC approved training posts.

Approved posts are ones which have been prospectively approved for training by the General Medical Council (GMC). Training undertaken in the EEA/Switzerland can be approved if you provide evidence that the posts were approved by the statutory authority in the country in which you undertook your training.

Your NTN will end in a ‘C’ if you are expected to be on the CCT route.

You are on the Combined Programme route if:

You are a UK trainee who joined an approved specialist training programme at a later starting point having already obtained some of the CCT curriculum competencies from previous non-approved training posts. These trainees will be enrolled on the Combined Programme route but are awarded a CCT certificate upon successful completion of training.  

Your NTN will end in an ‘L or CP’ if you are expected to be on the Combined Programme route.

If you are on the Combined Programme route and enter training at a higher level than is usual for your specialty, you will need to submit the following to the JCST and your SAC for consideration.

  • TPD confirmation of support and the level they consider you should have started NTN training at
  • An up-to-date CV (all posts listed mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy) - uploaded onto ISCP
  • A fully up-to-date ISCP website portfolio
  • All additional information you have (for example logbooks and assessments) regarding all your posts uploaded onto your ISCP portfolio
  • A list of all posts that should be considered towards NTN higher surgical training - to be confirmed by your Deanery

You cannot be enrolled without the documentation above. 

You are on the Portfolio Pathway (CESR) route if:

You are applying to be added to the GMC's Specialist Register, have not followed a traditional training programme, but are seeking to demonstrate that you have gained the same level of skills and knowledge as a trainee on the CCT training route.

You will need to apply directly to the GMC. For more information please go here.

You are on the CSCST route if:

You are undertaking your higher surgical training in the Republic of Ireland.

More information for Irish trainees.