The CREST Form: Signed & Sealed: IMG guide for UK practice (2026)

Key points

CREST = “Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training” (CREST 2024 is the current version; 2024 versions are accepted for 2026 rounds).
It is essential if you have not completed UK Foundation Training (or equivalent) and need to evidence foundation competencies.
Signatory must be a Consultant or equivalent; you must have worked with them for a minimum of 3 months WTE within the relevant window.
The most common avoidable rejection: missing required supporting evidence (especially proof of signatory registration) and/or not uploading CREST + evidence as one document.

One-shot upload logic (read this twice)

If you are required to upload evidence of competence (e.g., CREST) with your application and you do not do so correctly, you are not offered another opportunity to upload it and your application will not proceed to the next stage.

How to get a consultant to sign CREST without “nagging”

1) Make it a 10-minute admin task (not an open-ended favour)

Send a calendar invite titled “CREST sign-off (10 mins)” with the form attached and a single sentence: “I’ve pre-filled everything and highlighted where I need you to confirm.”

2) Pre-fill the form properly (so they only verify)

Complete your sections, list the posts used as evidence, and ensure the signatory section is easy to scan. If they have to “figure out your history,” you’ll get deprioritised.

3) Bring an evidence map (competency → where witnessed)

Provide a one-page mapping of competencies to: (a) cases they personally witnessed, and (b) named colleagues who can provide “Evidence Received” where appropriate.

4) Force clarity on “Evidence Received”

If the signatory selects “Evidence Received” for a competency, ensure the required section listing who provided that evidence is completed (this is a common omission).

5) Produce the final upload as ONE combined PDF

Scan the completed CREST and attach proof of your signatory’s current registration (GMC or overseas equivalent with translation if needed) as a single document for Oriel upload.

The CREST rejection checklist (high-frequency failures)

Incomplete form (blank fields, missing declarations).
Signatory not eligible / not “Consultant or equivalent.”
Not meeting the “worked with signatory for minimum 3 months WTE” requirement.
“Evidence Received” selected but missing the required details of who provided the evidence.
Missing proof of signatory’s current registration (GMC or equivalent).
CREST + evidence not uploaded as a single document to Oriel.

The practical rule

If your CREST is going to be signed, make it effortless: pre-filled, evidence mapped, and upload-ready. Consultants will sign clean admin; they avoid messy uncertainty.

The CREST Form: Signed & Sealed