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Competent Authority Pathway: When You Can Skip AMC Exams (Eligibility + Proof)

A precise guide to the Competent Authority pathway: who qualifies, what “practised in a competent authority country” means, and what to prepare.

Review date
Feb 2026
Reading time
13 min read
Author
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MSt MRCGP
On this page
IMG pathwayThis guide is updated for 2026 regulations (UK/US/Aus/Can). Always verify with official bodies.

Key points

  • The Medical Board states IMGs on the Competent Authority pathway do not need to sit AMC exams.
  • Eligibility requires that you have been assessed by a competent authority and have practised in a competent authority country.
  • You still must meet mandatory registration standards (e.g., English language skills, recency of practice, professional indemnity insurance) for the relevant registration type.

Do not assume you qualify because you trained in an “English-speaking country”

Competent Authority is a defined framework with explicit criteria. Verify your category using the Board’s official guidance and (where applicable) the AHPRA/Medical Board documents.

Competent Authority pathway workflow

1

1) Validate eligibility against the Board’s criteria

Confirm you have been assessed by a competent authority and have practised in the relevant system.
2

2) Prepare evidence for your application

Build an “assessable file”: proof of assessment, proof of practice location/time, and all registration standard evidence.
3

3) Apply under the correct registration type

Competent Authority can be used toward general registration pathways, but you must still satisfy the standards and supervised practice requirements where applicable.

Official Sources

Medical Board — Competent Authority pathway (no AMC exams)
Medical Board — Provisional registration via competent authority (standards list)
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  • Confirm you have been assessed by a competent authority and have practised in the relevant system.

    Return to this section

  • Build an “assessable file”: proof of assessment, proof of practice location/time, and all registration standard evidence.

    Return to this section

  • Competent Authority can be used toward general registration pathways, but you must still satisfy the standards and supervised practice requirements where applicable.

    Return to this section

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