What is Article 14 PMETB?

The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB), which gained its full statutory powers in September 2005, regulates postgraduate education for doctors in the United Kingdom. One of its present responsibilities is to coordinate applications to the specialist register made by hospital doctors via article 14/CESR. This is the process whereby hospital doctors who have not followed the conventional specialist training route but have gained the equivalent experience, apply for inclusion to the register via Article14/CESR to become eligible to work as a consultant in the NHS.

Most emphasis is placed on the applicant's training, qualifications and the experience they have gained in their last five years of practice. Together with this, the applicants are assessed on six different evaluation criteria based on the General MedicalCouncil's (GMC's) Good Medical Practice guidelines. These are:

• Good clinical care
• Relationships with patients
• Maintaining good clinical practice
• Teaching, appraising, and assessing
• Working with colleagues
• Probity and health.

To view a recent BMJ Careers article written by MD Matt Green regarding PMETB applications click here.

The first thing we ask doctors approaching us for assistance who are deciding whether or not to apply via article 14/CESR is whether they have discussed their intentions with their current medical director and other referees. Discussing your intended application with your referees and other sources can establish whether you have gained enough experience to become a consultant. The article 14/CESR application process comprises four steps:

• Compiling and submitting your application
• Confirmation that your application contains all of the necessary evidence
• Completion of structured reports by referees
• Assessment and decision by the royal college or faculty and the PMETB

The actual application you submit to the PMETB comprises of three parts:

• A fully up to date CV in the format stipulated by PMETB
• Completed PMETB application form
• Supporting evidence

Here is a comment from a doctor who used our Article 14 PMETB/CESR service previously:

'You were just brilliant. The kind of help and support I received was excellent. I speak very highly of you to my friends who are in the process of applying. I think your service is of a very high standard, without your expert advice it would have been difficult to complete my application appropriately.' NA, Consultant

For more information regarding the different PMETB support services we offer please click here.