Will another exam exempt me from sitting the AMC exams?

We get a lot of queries about whether passing other examinations such as the USMLE or an MRC qualification will exempt you from having to sit the AMC exams.

TODO during review: the original page title used "....." as a placeholder for the exam name. Confirm whether this should be left as a generic question (current approach) or split into per-exam pages (USMLE / MRCP / PLAB / LMCC).

The four IMG pathways

There are four pathways for International Medical Graduates to practise in Australia:

1. Standard Pathway — leads to general registration and requires you to sit the AMC exams.
2. Competent Authority Pathway — the other route to general registration; applies if you qualified in the UK, Ireland, Canada or the USA.
3. Specialist Pathway — for IMGs already qualified as specialists overseas.
4. Short-Term Training in a Medical Specialty Pathway — not a permanent pathway.

Only one pathway exempts you from the AMC exams

Focusing on pathways 1 and 2, only the Competent Authority Pathway exempts you from sitting the AMC exams in order to obtain general registration.

You qualify for the Competent Authority Pathway by either:

• Graduating from medical school and completing an internship in the UK, Ireland, Canada or USA, or
• Completing the equivalent process to the AMC in any of the UK, Canada or USA.

Note: The Medical Board of Australia does not recognise the PRES process for Ireland.

This means you must complete all steps of the LMCC, PLAB or USMLE — plus the required supervision experience as stated by the Medical Board of Australia.

There are no exceptions

For example, USMLE Part 1 alone is not a substitute for AMC Part 1.

This also means that other exams which may qualify you in competent authority countries — such as the various MRCs in the UK (MRCPUK, MRCS, etc.) — do not exempt you from the AMC exams.