Sub-specialty Recognition CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Sub-specialty Recognition Portfolio Pathway: 10 evidence sections. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by Various.
SSG Version: 06 October 2023
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 10 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Certificate
Provide a copy of your certificate or confirmation letter issued by your Royal College/Faculty confirming you have successfully completed all elements of the sub-specialty training programme.
What to provide
- Copy of certificate or confirmation letter
How to present
Authenticated copy
Pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) applicants only
Provide a copy of your confirmation letter from The Intercollegiate Board for Training in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (IBTPHEM).
What to provide
- Confirmation letter from IBTPHEM
How to present
Authenticated copy
Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Provide a copy of your current CV documenting your full career history and providing an overview of the sub-specialty training you have completed.
What to provide
- Current CV
How to present
Structured according to GMC website guidance
Assessments and Appraisals
Provide evidence of formal periodic assessment during your training, completed at the time the training was undertaken.
What to provide
- Evidence of formal periodic assessment
- Curriculum demonstrating how you were assessed (if formal documents are unavailable)
- Detailed letter of verification from an educational supervisor (if formal documents are unavailable)
How to present
Completed contemporaneously (retrospective completion carries less weight)
Logbook Evidence
Provide an overview of the cases you were involved in during your sub-specialty training programme.
What to provide
- Logbooks
- Case Histories
- Referral Letters
- Medical Reports
How to present
Overview of cases in any of the listed formats
Curriculum
Provide a copy of the curriculum or syllabus that you followed during your training.
What to provide
- Copy of the curriculum or syllabus
- Letter from the awarding body outlining the content of the training programme or examination (if formal curriculum is unavailable)
How to present
Must relate to the sub-specialty and be the one in place when you undertook your training. Must show where it covers areas of the GMC approved curriculum, complexity of work, and how examinations are evaluated.
Enrolment Letter
Provide a copy of your enrolment letter to sub-specialty training.
What to provide
- Enrolment letter
How to present
Copy
Job Description/Job Plans
Provide copies of your job plans/job descriptions covering the period of your sub-specialty training.
What to provide
- Job plans
- Job descriptions
How to present
Should include your position within the structure of your department, your post title, and your clinical and non-clinical commitment.
Certificate
Provide a certificate or confirmation letter issued by the awarding body/institution confirming you have successfully completed all elements of the sub-specialty training programme.
What to provide
- Certificate or confirmation letter
How to present
Must be authenticated
Testimonial Letters
You may wish to provide testimonial letters from colleagues.
What to provide
- Testimonial letters
How to present
Must relate specifically to the sub-specialty you are applying in, and any observation of your ability should be based on their direct observation.
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
GMC approved training in your chosen sub-specialty
Alternative Path
Overseas approved training equivalent to the standards of the UK curriculum
Sub-specialty recognition applications are based solely on approved training. Additional or equivalent experience outside of an approved sub-specialty training post or programme will not be considered.
Currency Window & Evidence Volume
Evidence Volume
Do not submit original documents. All copies (other than qualifications getting authenticated) must be accompanied by a proforma signed by your verifier. The guidance on documents to supply is not exhaustive.
Additional Notes
To be eligible, you must hold full registration and be on the Specialist Register in the parent specialty of your chosen sub-specialty.
If you've trained in the UK, your training should have been administered by your Royal College/Faculty and Local Education and Training Board (LETB).
If you've trained overseas, your training should have been approved by the competent authority for the relevant country or region.
You must submit translations of any documents that are not in English, ensuring they meet GMC translation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sub-specialty Recognition CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Sub-specialty Recognition require?
What evidence is required for Sub-specialty Recognition specialist registration?
Start Your Sub-specialty Recognition Portfolio
Map your evidence to the Sub-specialty Recognition framework, track readiness, and export your GMC submission.