The Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board exam (more commonly referred to as the PLAB exam) is taken by doctors who have qualified abroad. The PLAB exam helps these doctors to demonstrate that they have the correct skills and knowledge to practice medicine in the UK. The aim of passing the PLAB test is to show that you are at the same level as a doctor entering British Foundation Programme training.
If you qualified as a doctor overseas and graduated from a medical school outside of the EEA or Switzerland, you will likely need to pass a PLAB exam before you can begin legally practising medicine in Britain. The PLAB exam is split into two parts:PLAB 1 and PLAB 2. You must pass both parts before you can work as a doctor in the UK. The PLAB 1 exam is structured as a written multiple-choice test. This contains 180 questions, and you must select the best answer for each question to earn a mark. You can take the PLAB 1 exams in multiple countries at approved test centres. PLAB part 2 is a practical exam that only takes place in the UK. You can only book your PLAB 2 exam after passing your PLAB 1 exam first. If you’re searching for PLAB dates, it’s worth knowing that parts 1 & 2 both run throughout the year.
Once you’ve passed a PLAB test, you can register for a licence to practice medicine from the General Medical Council (GMC). Once you have a licence to practice medicine you can apply for jobs within the NHS as a medical doctor.