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PLAB Fees & Cancellation Rules (2026): The Only Numbers That Matter

PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 fee breakdown with the 42-day/29-day/28-day cancellation tiers, plus how refunds work and how to avoid expensive admin mistakes.

Review date
Jan 2026
Reading time
7 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

  • PLAB fees are published with <strong>effective dates</strong> (often changing from <strong>1 April</strong>). Always check the current table before paying or cancelling.
  • PLAB 1: cancellations <strong>42 days or less</strong> can cost <strong>100%</strong> of the test fee.
  • PLAB 2 has <strong>three</strong> cancellation tiers: >42 days (10%), 42–29 days (50%), and ≤28 days (100%).
  • If you’re cancelling due to exceptional circumstances, the GMC indicates there’s a process to consider refunds—don’t assume it’s automatic.
Fee-related searches (“PLAB 1 fee”, “PLAB 2 fee”, “PLAB cancellation fee”) are high intent because candidates are budgeting and committing. This page is designed to stay evergreen by anchoring everything to the official fee table and its effective dates.

Snapshot (effective from 1 April 2026, per GMC fee tables)

PLAB 1 test fee: <strong>£283</strong>. PLAB 2 test fee: <strong>£1,036</strong>. Cancellation tiers: PLAB 1 >42 days (10% = <strong>£28.30</strong>), PLAB 1 ≤42 days (100% = <strong>£283</strong>). PLAB 2 >42 days (10% = <strong>£103.60</strong>), 42–29 days (50% = <strong>£518</strong>), ≤28 days (100% = <strong>£1,036</strong>).
1

Step 1 — Treat fees as time-sensitive data

Don’t rely on screenshots or old blog posts. The GMC publishes fee tables with effective dates—use those as your source of truth.
2

Step 2 — Decide using the cancellation tier, not your stress level

If you’re close to a threshold (especially the 42-day mark), check the table first, then decide. This single behaviour prevents most expensive cancellations.
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Step 3 — Keep a clean audit trail

Keep booking confirmations, payment receipts, and cancellation confirmations in one folder. If you later need to explain an exceptional circumstance, clarity matters.
4

Step 4 — If something disrupts your sitting (illness/disruption)

Use the official guidance in the PLAB 1/2 guides around disruptions and exceptional circumstances. The existence of a process does not mean you qualify automatically—follow the documented route.
SourceGMC: Fees for doctors (PLAB fees + cancellation tiers; effective from 1 April 2026)
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SourceGMC: PLAB 1 guide (cancellations, disruptions, and process)
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SourceGMC: PLAB 2 guide (cancellations, disruptions, and process)
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  • Don’t rely on screenshots or old blog posts. The GMC publishes fee tables with effective dates—use those as your source of truth.

    Return to this section

  • If you’re close to a threshold (especially the 42-day mark), check the table first, then decide. This single behaviour prevents most expensive cancellations.

    Return to this section

  • Keep booking confirmations, payment receipts, and cancellation confirmations in one folder. If you later need to explain an exceptional circumstance, clarity matters.

    Return to this section

  • Use the official guidance in the PLAB 1/2 guides around disruptions and exceptional circumstances. The existence of a process does not mean you qualify automatically—follow the documented route.

    Return to this section

United Kingdom · Exams · Article 4 of 6