The GMC Specialist Register is a list kept by the General Medical Council of doctors who have completed full specialist training in a particular field and are eligible to work as consultants in the NHS. For cosmetic surgery, checking that a surgeon is on the Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery confirms they have completed recognised higher training in the specialty. You can check any doctor free of charge on the GMC website.
What the GMC does
The General Medical Council is the independent regulator of doctors in the UK. It keeps the medical register, sets standards for professional practice, oversees medical education and investigates concerns about doctors. Every doctor practising in the UK must be registered with a licence to practise. The register shows whether a doctor is fully registered, whether they hold a licence and whether any conditions or warnings apply to their practice.
Full registration versus specialist registration
- Full registration: means a doctor is qualified and licensed to practise medicine in the UK, but says nothing about specialist training.
- GP Register: shows the doctor has completed training in general practice.
- Specialist Register: shows the doctor has completed specialist training in a named specialty, such as plastic surgery, and can take up a consultant post.
A doctor can be fully registered and legally perform cosmetic procedures without being on the Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery. This is why checking the specialty entry matters.
How doctors join the Specialist Register
Doctors reach the Specialist Register either by completing an approved UK training programme, which leads to a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or by demonstrating equivalent training and experience through the GMC’s portfolio pathway. For plastic surgery, UK training typically involves several years of core and higher surgical training covering reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, hand surgery, burns, skin cancer and breast surgery. Surgeons usually sit the FRCS (Plast) examination towards the end of higher training.
How to check a surgeon
- Visit the GMC website: use the online register search.
- Search: enter the surgeon’s full name or GMC reference number.
- Check status: confirm the doctor is registered with a licence to practise.
- Check the specialty: look for Specialist Register entry and the specialty listed, for example Plastic Surgery.
- Check for conditions: note any restrictions or warnings shown on the record.
For example, Mr Reza Nassab’s GMC reference number is 4704243. The register is free to use and updated regularly, so it is worth checking shortly before your consultation rather than relying on information from a clinic’s website or social media profile.
Why it matters for cosmetic surgery
‘Cosmetic surgeon’ is not a protected title in the UK, so anyone with a medical degree can use it. Specialist registration in plastic surgery tells you the surgeon has trained in handling tissues, managing complications and planning operations to recognised standards. It is not the only thing to consider, but it is a sensible starting point, alongside the hospital’s CQC registration and membership of professional bodies such as BAAPS or BAPRAS. Our guide to choosing a breast augmentation surgeon explains these checks in more detail.
Other checks alongside the register
- FRCS (Plast): the specialist examination in plastic surgery.
- Professional memberships: BAAPS and BAPRAS require fully trained plastic surgeons.
- Royal College of Surgeons certification: a voluntary scheme for surgeons performing cosmetic surgery.
- Hospital: confirm the procedure will take place in a CQC-registered hospital.
- Consultation: meet the operating surgeon and ask about experience with your procedure.
What to do if something does not add up
If a surgeon’s name does not appear, the specialty listed is different from what you were told, or the record shows conditions you do not understand, ask the clinic for an explanation before proceeding. You can also contact the GMC directly with questions. If you have concerns about a doctor’s practice, the GMC website explains how to raise them. Cosmetic surgery is only for adults aged 18 and over, and the £150 consultation at this practice is charged separately from any surgical fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every surgeon on the Specialist Register?
No. A doctor may be fully registered and licensed without being on the Specialist Register for a particular specialty.
Does specialist registration cover cosmetic surgery?
Specialist registration in plastic surgery reflects training that includes aesthetic surgery, and is a key check for cosmetic procedures.
Is it free to check the GMC register?
Yes. Anyone can search the register online free of charge.
What does FRCS (Plast) mean?
It is the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in plastic surgery, granted after passing the specialty exit examination.
Does the register show how many operations a surgeon has done?
No. The register confirms registration, licence and specialty. Ask the surgeon directly about their experience with your procedure.
Can overseas surgeons be checked on the GMC register?
Only if they are registered to practise in the UK. Surgeons working abroad are regulated by their own country’s authorities.
Related Guides
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- Breast Asymmetry Correction: Risks and Safety
- Breast Asymmetry Correction: Questions to Ask
- Is Breast Augmentation Painful?
- The Inframammary Fold Explained
- Breast Augmentation Risks and Safety
- Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
- Breast Augmentation: Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
