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Understanding regulated professions in the UK

Some professionals in the UK, such as doctors, lawyers and teachers, need a professional qualification and/or experience to practise. Access to these professions in the UK is managed by independent regulators such as the:

• General Medical Council
• Solicitors Regulation Authority
• Teaching Regulation Agency

A regulator makes sure a person has the necessary qualifications and/or experience to practise that profession and registers them. Regulators are separate from the UK and devolved governments.

If you gained a professional qualification outside the UK, you may need to have your qualification recognised by the relevant UK or devolved regulator before you can practise your profession in the UK.

Find the correct regulator聽

You can use the Regulated Professions Register to:

• check if your profession is regulated in the UK
• find the relevant regulator for your profession

The register outlines:聽

• the qualifications and experience needed to work聽in each profession聽聽
• how to contact regulators

Some professions are regulated at devolved government level. This means there can be different regulators for the same profession in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

For example, social workers are regulated by:

• Social Work England in England
• Scottish Social Services Council in Scotland
• Social Care Wales in Wales
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council in Northern Ireland

If you want to work in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales in a profession that is regulated at the devolved level, you should contact the relevant devolved regulator for support.

Apply to get your qualifications recognised

Before you apply to have your professional qualifications recognised, you should:聽

• read the information on the regulator鈥檚 website聽聽
• make sure you have identified the correct application route

You can contact the regulator before you apply, as they might be able to offer support with the application process. Many regulators also have online guidance for overseas-qualified applicants, including refugees.

Application fees and costs

You may have to pay to get your professional qualifications recognised in the UK.

Costs vary depending on the regulator and your individual circumstances. You could be charged for applying and for any exams that you may need to take.

Some regulators offer financial support or fee waivers for refugees.

Provide evidence to support your application聽

You will need to provide the regulator with evidence of your qualifications, experience and suitability. This could include:

• original copies of your qualifications and transcripts
• your work history and references
• proof of English language competency
• character references and/or criminal record checks

If you think you are missing any of this evidence, contact the regulator as soon as possible to ask for advice.聽聽

If you are unable to provide some of this evidence, regulators may be able to help you to consider alternatives.

English language competency聽聽

Most regulators need you to demonstrate strong English language ability as part of your application. Each regulator鈥檚 website explains the specific tests required.

Some regulators may not require you to take extra tests if either:聽

• your professional qualification was fully taught and examined in English
• you can demonstrate significant and recent professional practice in English

Exams and portfolios聽聽

To evidence your professional skills and knowledge, you may need to:聽

• take tests and exams (online or in-person)
• provide portfolios of work

Whether you need to take exams or tests might depend on the documents you can provide to demonstrate your qualifications and skills.

Exams might test your knowledge, your practical competency, or both.

You should check the regulator鈥檚 website for information on:聽

• how to prepare for and take exams
• how much exams might cost
• where exams will take place

How long it takes to get your qualifications recognised

The length of time it takes to have your professional qualifications recognised depends on the regulator and your individual circumstances.

It may take longer if you:

• are missing a lot of evidence
• need to take exams which have long waitlists

You can avoid delays to your application by ensuring that you:

• understand the application process
• are applying via the correct route for your circumstances
• provide as much evidence and documentation as possible

If the regulator decides that your qualifications and experience differ significantly from UK requirements, you may be required to requalify in the UK.

Support for refugees and people with humanitarian protection looking for work

There are refugee-focused charities and organisations which may be able to provide support and advice on finding work and improving your English language skills.

The regulator for your profession might be able to provide advice on charities that could offer support. You can also use the charity register to search for relevant charities.

These charities and organisations are independent of government and regulators.

Further information

There is government guidance available on visas, work, finances and accommodation that can help with:

• accessing public services and making the most of opportunities in the UK
• applying for a refugee integration loan
• helping you prepare for, find, and stay in work
• proving your right to work to an employer
• the asylum process and adapting to life in the UK