Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) (Radiology)

You need to make your Portfolio Pathway application to the GMC, using the dedicated online application process.  Open a GMC Online account and upload all your evidence electronically, as requested in the online application. Anything recorded in Kaizen or in any other ePortfolio won't be transferred into a Portfolio Pathway application.

The GMC will send your completed application to us for specialist evaluation. We make a recommendation to the GMC as to whether the application should be approved, but the GMC makes the final decision.

We are happy to assist with queries by email about our specialty-specific guidance, just send a copy of your CV. Think about structuring your CV in accordance with the GMC's Portfolio Pathway CV advice, and use this article from the BMJ about preparing a medical CV.

The application form, fees, guidance, criteria and general process are subject to change. Refer to the GMC’s website for questions and updates.

This is the most appropriate route for most applicants and most people apply for a Portfolio Pathway in clinical radiology.  

In the UK, Clinical radiology trainees complete about five years of specialty training according to the current training curriculum. When they successfully complete training they are awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in the specialty of Clinical radiology. The CCT allows them entry to the GMC specialist register. 

To be awarded this Portfolio Pathway, you need to submit a range of evidence to demonstrate that your specialty training, qualifications and experience taken together are equivalent to the CCT in clinical radiology, as set out in our specialty training curriculum. A Portfolio Pathway allows you entry to the GMC specialist register.

To be eligible to apply under this route, you must have either a specialist qualification in the specialty you apply in or at least six months of continuous specialist training in the specialty you apply in.

Please review the following documents:

1. The Specialty Specific Guidance published by the GMC to help you make your application. When getting your evidence together, you can use it as a checklist to make sure you include all the documents we need. 

2. Our FAQs for Portfolio Pathway Applicants which sets out things to note when making your Portfolio Pathway application. 

Some doctors may be eligible to apply for a Portfolio Pathway in a non-CCT specialty, which if successful leads to specialist registration in that specialty. A non-CCT specialty is a narrower medical specialty than “Clinical radiology”; (for example, breast radiology, neuroradiology, paediatric radiology, interventional radiology and so on).  It must be a specialty consistent with NHS consultant practice.

To be eligible to apply, you must have either a specialist medical qualification from outside the UK in any non-CCT specialty, or at least six months of continuous specialist training outside the UK in any non-CCT specialty.

Your application must demonstrate that your qualification and/or training, along with your subsequent experience, gives a level of knowledge and skill consistent with practice as an NHS consultant.

Please consider very carefully whether you are eligible to apply - just working in one area of expertise will not necessarily mean that you are eligible to apply for a non-CCT Portfolio Pathway.

You must have completed a dedicated period of training outside the UK (such as a Fellowship; rotations in your general radiology training are unlikely to count) or obtained an overseas specialist qualification in a non-CCT specialty.  A successful applicant is likely to be practising independently in their field at NHS consultant level, so please consider any potential differences in your practice and what is expected of an NHS consultant in the UK.

Specialist registration in a narrow area may limit your employment options and you should check whether you are likely to obtain employment in that area. You must check with the GMC as to your eligibility and whether the specialty in which you intend to apply is acceptable. You can also contact the RCR for advice by email by attaching a copy of your CV.

NHS consultant practice includes all the areas set out in the CCT curriculum, so we expect that a non-CCT Portfolio Pathway application will reflect the 12 CiPs in the curriculum. Please see the links to our advice and guidance below, including the Specialty Specific Guidance. The main difference is that the clinical elements of your evidence (such as the radiology reports you must submit) are likely to cover the specialty areas of the CCT curriculum (2021) relevant to that non-CCT specialty, rather than across the breadth of the curriculum.

A non-CCT Portfolio Pathway application is evaluated against the four Domains of Good medical practice. Otherwise, the application process is the same as for the Portfolio Pathway in a CCT specialty. 

Each CiP in the SSG has a range of suggested evidence to support it. If you apply for a Portfolio Pathway in a non-CCT specialty, make sure that you submit a good range of evidence by referring to what the SSG asks for in each CiP to support each Domain as follows:

• Domain 1 – see CiPs 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. If you apply for a non-CCT Portfolio Pathway in Interventional radiology, you also need to see CiPs 13 and 14 and requirements in the Interventional radiology subspecialty curriculum (2021) 
• Domain 2 – see CiPs 3 and 4 
• Domain 3 – see CiPs 1, 6 and 12 
• Domain 4 – see CiP 1 

This route is designed for those who are nationally renowned leaders, known internationally in their field through their academic or research activity.

Applicants must show that the knowledge and skills they have gained through academic or research work are consistent with practice as a consultant in any of the UK health services.  Successful applications tend to be submitted in very specific areas because it is difficult to demonstrate academic or research work in a broad area such as a CCT specialty.

Your application needs to show two things: 

• That your academic or research work has given you knowledge and skills to the standard of an NHS consultant.
• That your clinical knowledge, skills, and experience of the specialty you have applied in are equivalent to the standards of an NHS consultant.

The range of evidence requested here is different from the other Portfolio Pathway pathways, as you can see in the GMC academic Portfolio Pathway guidance. You will have to provide evidence of your academic or research activities, as well as evidence of your clinical skills in the area in which you apply - the clinical elements are likely to cover the relevant specialty areas of the CCT curriculum. You must check with the GMC as to your eligibility and whether the specialty you intend to apply in is acceptable under this route.

Please see the GMC's information for doctors about Brexit.

If you have an EEA or Swiss primary and/or specialist medical qualification classed as a "relevant European qualification", you may be able to apply for GMC full and/or specialist registration using those qualifications.  It is the qualification you hold and not your nationality that determines whether you can use these qualifications to obtain registration.

Your application is made directly to the GMC using their dedicated online application process. Please see the GMC website for further information on how to apply.

You compile your Portfolio Pathway application in liaison with the GMC. Once the application is deemed complete by the GMC, it is passed to the College for assessment. Applications are evaluated by the RCR Equivalence Committee and a recommendation is then made to the GMC. 

To be eligible to apply you must have either a specialist qualification in the specialty you apply in or at least six months of continuous specialist training in the specialty you apply in.

Information can be found in both the Specialty Specific Guidance and generic guidance available on the GMC website. You should read this guidance carefully because it defines the type of evidence you should provide to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience (KSE) for specialist practice in the UK. 

No. As the RCR officially reviews the applications, we only review them at the point they are submitted to us by the GMC. The RCR can provide advice on the type of evidence required but will not review your application before submission. You are encouraged to read the Specialty Specific Guidance carefully before submitting your application to the GMC. 

It is recommended that you collect and keep evidence as you go along. You will need to open a GMC Online account and upload all your evidence electronically, as requested in the online application. 

The RCR Equivalence Committee reviews applications on behalf of the GMC. Members of the Committee will determine whether you have the knowledge, skills and experience needed for practising as a day one consultant in the UK. If your application is successful, you will be recommended for entry to the Specialist Register.

Before sending the complete application to the RCR for evaluation, the GMC first needs to ensure that all the application documentation has been received, including the structured reports from referees, and complete the verification process. This part of the process can be lengthy, as the GMC may need to ask for further information.

When the application is passed to the RCR we have 36 working days to review and submit our evaluation to the GMC.

The GMC will then need time to reach their final decision, so in total you should expect it to take 2-3 months before you are informed of the outcome of the evaluation. 

You will receive a report directly from the GMC that will explain why your application has not been successful. This will contain recommendations outlining the additional evidence required.

A non-CCT specialty is a narrower medical specialty than “Clinical radiology”, for example, breast radiology, neuroradiology, paediatric radiology, interventional radiology and so on. It must be a specialty consistent with NHS consultant practice.

To be eligible to apply, you must have either a specialist medical qualification from outside the UK in any non-CCT specialty, or at least six months of continuous specialist training outside the UK in any non-CCT specialty.

You should read the Specialty Specific Guidance carefully as this defines the type of evidence that you should provide to demonstrate you have the knowledge, skills and experience required to practise as a specialist or GP in the UK. You should also review the relevant curriculum.

• Know the UK CCT Curriculum: Your application must demonstrate you have the same knowledge, skills and experience as a day one consultant radiologist. Use the RCR's Specialty Specific Guidance (SSG) to structure your evidence. 
• Focus on competence: Show you can perform independently in a hospital) setting. A balanced portfolio with general radiology and subspecialty work is key. 

• Be recent: Evidence should come from the last 5 years. Older evidence may not hold as much weight. 
• Be clear and concise: Triangulate your evidence to ensure consistency across sections (e.g. audit logs, appraisals and teaching records). Avoid repetition. 
• Verify your claims: Ensure all information is supported by specify details such as dates, roles and outcomes. 

• Include all modalities: Demonstrate experience across general and subspecialty areas (e.g. plain film, CT, MRI, ultrasound).
• Address gaps: Explain any gaps in work history with evidence and a clear rationale.
• Appraisals Matter: Space appraisals appropriately (e.g. two over two years) and include meaningful reflections.

• Use the SSG as a checklist: Map your evidence directly to curriculum domains. Highlight how your experience matches required competencies. 
• Structure your documents: Use numbered and indexed files for easy navigation. A clear and logical layout will help assessors understand your submission.

• Sample reports: Provide reports that reflect a range of modalities and complexities, include paediatric and interventional cases. 
• Audit and teaching: Back claims with evidence (e.g. audits should include dates, outcomes and your role).
• Balanced portfolio: Avoid over specialisation - highlight the breath of your clinical work. 

• Disorganised evidence: Poorly indexed or repetitive submissions slow down assessment. 
• Unverified claims: Vague statements (e.g. "I performed teaching!) without outcomes or feedback lack impact. 
• Narrow focus: A super specialised portfolio won't demonstrate general radiology competency. 

• Ask for advice: Reach out to colleagues who have completed CESR or mentors in your field for guidance. 
• Engage with RCR resources: Use templates, checklists and guidance documents provided by the RR to ensure your submission meets standards. 

• Plan ahead: The Portfolio Pathway process can be lengthy. Invest time in gathering organising and reviewing evidence. 
• Be proactive: Clarify uncertainties with the Workforce Development and Training team or RCR guidance before submitting your applications.