Is Your Cosmetic Surgeon Actually Qualified? Understanding GMC Registration vs the Specialist Register
If you’ve researched cosmetic surgery clinics, you’ve probably seen the phrase “GMC registered” on websites and marketing materials. It sounds reassuring — official, regulated, safe.
But what does it actually mean? And is it enough?
Contents
What GMC Registration Actually Is
The General Medical Council (GMC) is the regulatory body for doctors in the UK. Every doctor who practises medicine in this country must be registered with the GMC. Without registration, treating patients would be unlawful.
This applies to all doctors — GPs, psychiatrists, anaesthetists, surgeons, junior doctors in training. GMC registration is the baseline requirement to practise medicine legally. It confirms that a doctor has a medical degree and meets the minimum standards to work in the UK.
In short: GMC registration means someone is allowed to work as a doctor. Nothing more.
What the Specialist Register Is
The Specialist Register is something different entirely.
When a doctor completes their full specialty training — typically six or more years of focused, supervised training after medical school and foundation years — they can apply to join the Specialist Register in that field. This is a separate, additional register maintained by the GMC.
For plastic surgery, being on the Specialist Register confirms that a surgeon has completed the full training programme in plastic surgery, including both reconstructive and aesthetic techniques. They’ve passed rigorous examinations, worked under supervision across multiple hospitals, and demonstrated competence in their specialty.
In short: The Specialist Register confirms someone is a fully trained specialist in a specific field.
Why This Distinction Matters
Here’s the crucial point: a doctor can be GMC registered without any surgical training at all.
A GP is GMC registered. A psychiatrist is GMC registered. A plastic surgeon is GMC registered. But only the plastic surgeon has completed surgical training — and only one who is on the Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery has completed the full specialist training pathway.
When a clinic advertises that their surgeons are “GMC registered” without mentioning the Specialist Register, it’s worth asking why. GMC registration is the legal minimum, not a differentiator. It’s like a restaurant advertising that it has a food hygiene certificate — technically true, but that’s the bare minimum to operate legally.
The Unprotected Title Problem
Here’s something that surprises most patients: the term “cosmetic surgeon” is not a protected title in the UK.
Under the Medical Act 1983, any GMC-registered doctor can legally call themselves a surgeon — including “cosmetic surgeon” or “aesthetic surgeon.” This means a GP who has completed a handful of weekend courses could, in theory, market themselves as a “cosmetic surgeon” without breaking any law.
A doctor with as little as six months of cosmetic training can legally perform procedures and use the title. Compare this to a plastic surgeon on the Specialist Register, who has completed a minimum of six years of dedicated surgical training after medical school.
In Australia, the term “surgeon” is now protected by law — only doctors on the specialist register can use it. The UK has no such protection. There have been recent calls in Parliament to change this, but for now, the title remains unregulated.
Key point: This is precisely why the Specialist Register matters. It’s the only reliable way to confirm that someone calling themselves a surgeon has actually completed full surgical training.
The "Board Certified" Question
You may also see UK clinics advertising surgeons as “board certified.” This is an American term for doctors who have passed specialty examinations in the US system.
In the UK, “board certified” has no formal meaning. There is no board certification system here. When this term appears in UK marketing, it’s often borrowed from American advertising to sound impressive — without actually confirming UK specialist training.
Remember: The UK equivalent is the Specialist Register. That’s what you should look for.
MRCS Credential
Another phrase that sounds impressive but requires scrutiny: “Member of the Royal College of Surgeons” or the letters MRCS after a name.
MRCS is an examination that doctors pass early in their surgical career — typically during the first two years of basic surgical training. It’s an entry-level qualification that allows a doctor to apply for higher specialty training. Think of it as passing your driving theory test, not completing an advanced driving course.
Having MRCS does not mean someone has completed specialist surgical training. It means they passed an exam that qualifies them to begin that training. A doctor with MRCS could be years away from completing their specialty — or may never complete it at all.
When a clinic advertises surgeons as “Members of the Royal College of Surgeons” without mentioning the Specialist Register, the same question applies: why are they emphasising a basic qualification rather than confirming specialist status?
FRCS (Plast): For plastic surgery specifically, the relevant exit examination is FRCS (Plast) — Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery. This is taken towards the end of specialty training and, combined with completion of the full training programme, leads to entry onto the Specialist Register.
The Reality Check
It’s worth understanding how widespread this issue is. A review of one major UK commercial cosmetic surgery provider — a well-known national chain — found that none of their six advertised surgeons were listed on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery. Despite this, their marketing prominently featured terms like “GMC registered” and “Member of the Royal College of Surgeons.”
This isn’t an isolated case. When clinics compete primarily on price and marketing, the credentials of their surgical team may not be what patients assume them to be. The Specialist Register exists precisely to help patients distinguish between doctors with full specialist training and those without — but only if patients know to check it.
How to Check
Checking is straightforward:
- Visit the GMC’s online register
- Search for your surgeon by name
- Look at their entry — you’ll see their registration status and, if applicable, their Specialist Register entry
- For plastic surgery, you want to see “Plastic Surgery” listed under “Specialist Register”
If a surgeon isn’t on the Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery, ask them directly about their training and qualifications. There may be a valid explanation — some experienced surgeons trained overseas and hold equivalent qualifications. But you deserve a clear answer.
The Bottom Line
GMC registration is essential, but it’s the starting point — not the finish line. When choosing a cosmetic surgeon, look for the Specialist Register entry. It’s the clearest confirmation that your surgeon has completed full specialist training in their field.
At Quaba Plastic Surgery, our consultant plastic surgeons are on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery and are members of BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons). We’re happy to answer any questions about credentials — ours or anyone else’s.
If you’re researching cosmetic surgery, our guide to choosing a cosmetic surgery provider in the UK covers this and other important questions to ask.
GMC vs Specialist Register Comparison Box
📋
GMC Registered
The legal minimum to practise medicine in the UK. All doctors have this — GPs, psychiatrists, surgeons, trainees.
✓
Specialist Register
Confirms full specialist training in a specific field. For plastic surgery: 6+ years of dedicated surgical training.
6 Months vs 6 Years Training Comparison
6 months
“Cosmetic Surgeon”
Minimum training a doctor could have while legally using this unprotected title
6+ years
Specialist Register Plastic Surgeon
Dedicated surgical training after medical school required for Specialist Register entry
Credentials Ladder
Understanding Surgical Credentials
1
GMC Registered — Legal minimum to practise medicine. All doctors have this.
GMC Registered — Legal minimum to practise medicine. All doctors have this.
2
MRCS — Entry exam passed early in surgical training. Allows application for specialty training.
MRCS — Entry exam passed early in surgical training. Allows application for specialty training.
3
FRCS (Plast) — Exit exam passed near end of specialty training.
FRCS (Plast) — Exit exam passed near end of specialty training.
✓
GMC Specialist Register — Confirms full completion of specialist training. The gold standard.
GMC Specialist Register — Confirms full completion of specialist training. The gold standard.
Author
Dr Omar Quaba, MBBChir, FRCS (Plast), GMC 4586300, is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register with over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery. Educated at Cambridge University and trained in Aberdeen and Glasgow, with a fellowship in Australia, he transitioned to full-time private practice in 2020. As Hospital Director of Waterfront Private Hospital and a full member of BAPRAS, BAAPS, and ISAPS, he combines extensive expertise with a commitment to excellence in patient care.