GPNavor Updates Centre
Latest ICGP & GP Recruitment Updates
Clear, concise updates on Irish GP training recruitment, eligibility, applications, SJT and CPST.
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GPNavor is an independent exam-preparation platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Irish College of GPs. Always verify important application information through the official Irish College of GPs website.
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Applications for the 2027 GP Training Programme
The Irish College of GPs has published information for doctors interested in applying for the 2027 GP Training intake.
- Application A is scheduled to open on Monday 7 September 2026.
- Application A is scheduled to close on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
- Applicants who complete the initial online application and pay the relevant fee are invited to sit the SJT and CPST.
- Candidates can register their interest through the official Irish College of GPs website.
GPNavor tip: Begin preparing your documents before applications open. Do not wait until the closing week.
Key Dates for GP Trainee Selection 2027
The provisional recruitment timeline includes the application period, SJT and CPST assessments, references, competency assessment and offer stages.
- 5 September 2026: Intern and Medical Undergraduate Day.
- 7 September 2026: Application A opens.
- 10 September 2026: Online information webinar.
- 3 October 2026: In-person GP Training information session.
- 7 October 2026: Application A closes.
- 4–5 November 2026: SJT and CPST assessments.
- 13 November 2026: Application B opens.
- 27 November 2026: Application B closes.
- 30 November 2026: Reference submissions open.
- 4 January 2027: Reference submissions close.
- 3–4 February 2027: Scenario-Based Competency Assessment.
- 8–15 February 2027: Scheme preference-selection period.
Important: The Irish College of GPs states that published dates may be subject to change. Always recheck the official timeline.
SJT and CPST Scheduled for November 2026
The Situational Judgement Test and Clinical Problem-Solving Test are central components of shortlisting for GP training.
- The assessments are scheduled for Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November 2026.
- Shortlisting is based on applicants’ performance in the SJT and CPST.
- Applicants must also meet the relevant Irish Medical Council and HSE eligibility requirements.
GPNavor tip: Prepare separately for both professional judgement and clinical problem-solving rather than treating them as one examination.
Supporting Documents Required for GP Trainee Selection
Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating Medical Council eligibility, English-language competency, identity and, where applicable, permission to work in Ireland.
- Evidence of eligibility for the Trainee Specialist Division of the Irish Medical Council.
- Evidence of English-language competency under the applicable criteria.
- A clear colour copy of the passport identity page or National Identity Card.
- Evidence of eligible immigration status, where applicable.
- A copy of the applicant’s medical degree.
- A passport-sized photograph.
GPNavor tip: Scan each document clearly and save it with a descriptive filename before beginning the application.
English-Language Competency Evidence
The accepted route depends on the applicant’s registration, medical education, employment history and English-language examination history.
- Some applicants may qualify through previous Irish Medical Council registration.
- Some may qualify through a medical degree completed entirely in an accepted English-speaking country.
- A qualifying English-language certificate may apply together with evidence of current or previous HSE medical employment.
- Applicants relying on IELTS Academic or OET must meet the applicable scoring and validity requirements.
Important: Do not assume that Irish work experience alone automatically exempts you. Check which official route applies to your circumstances.
Evidence of Eligibility to Work in Ireland
Where applicable, candidates must submit evidence of an accepted immigration permission at the application stage.
- The published guidance identifies Stamp 4, Stamp 4 EUFAM, Stamp 1G and Stamp 1H.
- The relevant immigration document must be included with the application.
- The official guidance states that changes in immigration status after submission will not be considered for that application.
GPNavor tip: Check that your IRP card is valid and that the uploaded copy is clear on both sides.
Minimum Postgraduate Clinical Experience
Candidates must meet the published postgraduate hospital-experience requirement in addition to performing adequately in the assessments.
- The published 2027 FAQ specifies a minimum of nine months of paid full-time or equivalent postgraduate acute hospital-based clinical experience.
- Experience may have been completed as an intern or SHO.
- Clinical posts normally need to be at least three months long, except where they form part of a structured internship programme.
- Applicants must also satisfy Irish Medical Council and HSE eligibility requirements.
Important: Check the exact qualifying date range and supporting-evidence requirements in the final 2027 Terms and Conditions when they are published.
€150 Non-Refundable Application Fee
The Irish College of GPs states that a non-refundable application fee of €150 applies to all GP training applicants.
- The application fee is €150.
- The fee is stated to be non-refundable.
- Accepted payment cards include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, China UnionPay, Discover, Diners Club, eftpos Australia and JCB.
GPNavor tip: Ensure that your payment card permits online and international transactions before submitting the application.
Can FY1 and FY2 Doctors Apply?
Eligibility differs depending on whether Foundation Year 1 has been completed at the time of application.
- Doctors who are still in Foundation Year 1 at the time of application are not considered eligible.
- Doctors who have completed FY1 by the application date may be eligible.
- Doctors undertaking Foundation Year 2 may apply.
- Successful applicants must be available to begin GP training on the official commencement date.
- Requests for a delayed start are not normally accommodated.
Two Recent Clinical References Required
Applicants are expected to provide details of two suitable referees who have supervised their clinical work within the relevant three-year period.
- Applicants must provide details for two supervising consultants willing to act as referees.
- At least one reference must normally be from the applicant’s current or most recent supervising consultant.
- An applicant currently employed in general practice may use their current GP employer where the applicant is in paid employment.
- Both references must relate to work undertaken within the specified three-year period up to July 2027.
- Official work email addresses must be supplied for the referees.
- References open after Application B closes.
- The referees receive forms directly from the Irish College of GPs.
- Applicants are responsible for confirming that their referees meet the criteria and submit before the deadline.
GPNavor tip: Contact potential referees early, confirm their work email addresses and obtain their agreement before entering their details.
Training Offers Remain Subject to Satisfactory References
The Irish College of GPs may take references into account when deciding whether a training offer can proceed.
- An unsatisfactory reference may prevent an offer from being made.
- An offer already made remains subject to satisfactory references.
- The College may rescind an offer if a significant issue arises during reference review.
- No deadline extension is promised where a referee fails to respond or does not meet the criteria.
Important: Select referees who know your recent clinical work and can provide a reliable professional assessment.
Applicants May Request to Pair Their Applications
Two applicants may request to be considered together during the scheme-offer stage, subject to specific conditions.
- Pairing is requested during the scheme-selection stage.
- Both applicants must consent and provide each other’s name and email address.
- Both must make the same scheme selections.
- Both candidates must meet the required standard in the Scenario-Based Competency Assessment.
- The pair is ranked according to the lower-ranked candidate.
- An offer can only be made where two places are available on the selected scheme.
- Both applicants must jointly accept or reject an offer.
GPNavor tip: Pairing improves the chance of being placed together but may substantially reduce the higher-ranked applicant’s individual offer prospects.
What Is a Certificate of Experience?
A Certificate of Experience confirms that a doctor has completed an internship meeting Medical Council standards.
- The Certificate of Experience confirms satisfactory completion of internship.
- The Medical Council must have received the final internship sign-off before issuing it.
- Doctors who completed internship before 2016 may need to request the relevant application form from the Medical Council.
- For internships completed before 2011, the original certificate may have been issued by the university.
Final 2027 Terms and Conditions Not Yet Published
The Irish College of GPs states that the full Terms and Conditions for the 2027 recruitment process will be published separately.
- The current FAQ provides preliminary information for applicants.
- The definitive 2027 Terms and Conditions were stated to be forthcoming.
- Eligibility requirements, evidence rules and deadlines should be checked again after the final document is released.
Important: Do not rely solely on summaries. Review the final official Terms and Conditions before submitting your application.
Clinical Experience and Assessment Requirements
Shortlisting depends on SJT and CPST performance together with the required postgraduate clinical experience and IMC/HSE eligibility.
- Applicants must undertake the Situational Judgement Test and Clinical Problem-Solving Test.
- A minimum of nine months’ paid full-time or equivalent postgraduate acute hospital-based clinical experience is required.
- The experience may have been completed as an intern or SHO.
- Individual clinical posts should normally be at least three months long.
- The three-month rule may not apply where rotations form part of a structured internship programme.
- Applicants must also satisfy Irish Medical Council and HSE eligibility criteria.
Important clarification: The current official webpage contains inconsistent wording regarding the precise three-year cutoff. Confirm the final date in the published 2027 Terms and Conditions.
Core Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
Applicants must satisfy qualification, registration, language, immigration, clinical-experience and assessment requirements.
- Hold a recognised primary medical degree or equivalent qualification.
- Be eligible for the Trainee Specialist Division of the Irish Medical Council.
- Meet HSE English-language competency requirements.
- Be eligible to work in Ireland at the time of Application A.
- Provide immigration evidence by the Application A deadline where applicable.
- Meet the minimum recent clinical-experience requirement.
- Achieve the required standard in the SJT, CPST and Scenario-Based Competency Assessment.
Applicants Must Answer Professional and Regulatory Declarations
The application includes declarations concerning eligibility, driving arrangements, criminal matters, training-body investigations and medical-regulatory investigations.
- Applicants must confirm that they meet the published person specification.
- A declaration concerns possession of, or arrangements relating to, a suitable driving licence and vehicle for training duties.
- Applicants must disclose relevant criminal convictions, cautions, charges or pending matters.
- Applicants must disclose relevant investigations by medical training organisations.
- Applicants must disclose relevant investigations, restrictions, suspensions or sanctions involving a medical registration or licensing body.
- Additional declaration forms may be required where an applicant cannot make an unqualified declaration.
Important: Applicants should answer all declarations truthfully and provide the requested details. A false or misleading declaration may invalidate an offer.
Immigration Status Affects the Allocation Group
The official FAQ divides eligible candidates into two allocation groups under the applicable HSE recruitment policy.
- Group 1: Irish, UK and EU nationals, and holders of Stamp 4 or Stamp 4 EUFAM.
- Group 2: holders of Stamp 1G and Stamp 1H.
- Group 1 candidates are ranked and allocated according to the applicable policy.
- Offers to Group 2 candidates may be made only after eligible Group 1 candidates have been exhausted, subject to ranking and scheme preferences.
Important: This relates to allocation of offers, not merely permission to submit an application.
Offer Rounds and Training Commencement
The FAQ outlines the expected first offer round, subsequent rounds and the rules on deferral.
- The first offer round is currently listed for 26 February 2027.
- Further offer rounds may continue until places are filled or until 31 May 2027.
- Declining an offer does not guarantee that another offer will be received.
- A later offer, where made, would normally relate only to a more highly preferred scheme.
- Training places cannot normally be deferred.
- The official commencement date is the second Monday in July.
- There is no established process for swapping schemes with another candidate before training begins.
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