Romanian Qualifications Recognition in the UK: A Profession-by-Profession Guide (2026)

Doctors

All doctors practising in the UK must be registered with the GMC and hold a licence to practise. Romanian medical qualifications are EU qualifications, and the GMC maintains a list of qualifications it will accept as Relevant European Qualifications (REQs). If a Romanian doctor's primary medical qualification appears on the GMC's REQ list, the registration route is simplified compared to the standard overseas route.

Where a qualification does not qualify as a REQ, or where the applicant does not meet other criteria, registration typically requires passing the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test. PLAB consists of two parts:

• PLAB Part 1: a three-hour written multiple-choice exam (180 questions), held at international test centres including in Romania. Fee: £283
• PLAB Part 2: a practical Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), held only in the UK. Fee: £1,036. Must be passed within two years of Part 1

Before applying for GMC registration, doctors must have their primary medical qualification verified through MyIntealth (the successor to the EPIC platform, operated by Intealth). This verification step should be started well before submitting a GMC application, as it adds time to the overall process.

English language proficiency is also required — typically IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7.5 (minimum 7.0 in each component), or OET with a minimum Grade B in each component.

The GMC's website provides the current list of accepted qualifications, the eligibility checker, and full registration guidance: gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing

Nurses and Midwives

All nurses and midwives practising in the UK must be registered with the NMC. The registration process for internationally trained nurses involves a Test of Competence (ToC) consisting of two parts, which can be completed in either order:

• Computer-Based Test (CBT): a theory-based multiple-choice exam assessing nursing knowledge. It is administered by Pearson VUE and can be taken at approved test centres in Romania or other countries. Fee: approximately £83. Valid for two years
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): a practical clinical assessment conducted in person at one of five approved test centres in the UK. Fee: £794. Up to three attempts permitted

English language proficiency requirements as of 2025 are: IELTS Academic 7.0 in reading, listening, and speaking; 6.5 in writing — or OET Grade B in reading, listening, and speaking; Grade C+ in writing.

Many Romanian nurses complete the CBT from Romania, then come to the UK with a sponsor NHS employer to sit the OSCE. Employers who sponsor nurses under the Health and Care Worker visa are typically required to provide OSCE preparation support. Nurses arriving on a sponsored Health and Care visa must sit their first OSCE attempt within 12 weeks of their employment start date.

For the full registration process, NMC self-assessment tool, and current fees: nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register

Pharmacists

Romanian pharmacists must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council to practise in Great Britain. The GPhC assesses overseas pharmacy qualifications through an application process. Depending on the outcome of that assessment, applicants may be required to complete an Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme (OSPAP) — a one-year postgraduate course at a UK university — before sitting registration assessments.

Romanian pharmacy qualifications are EU qualifications and, depending on when and where they were obtained, may receive different treatment under the GPhC's assessment process compared to non-EEA qualifications. The GPhC's website provides the current overseas applicant guidance, eligibility information, and assessment criteria.

Dentists

All dentists practising in the UK must be registered with the GDC. Romanian dental qualifications may be assessed under the GDC's overseas routes. Depending on the assessment outcome, applicants may be required to pass the International Qualifying Examination (IQE), which tests knowledge and clinical skills to UK standards. The GDC's website provides the current overseas applicant guidance and eligibility assessment process.

Architects

The ARB is the statutory regulator for architects in the UK. Only individuals on the ARB register may call themselves an "architect" in the UK. Romanian architecture qualifications are assessed by the ARB on their individual merits. The assessment considers the qualification's content, level, and comparability to UK standards.

If the ARB determines that a Romanian qualification does not meet the standard required for direct registration, applicants may be required to demonstrate further experience or undertake an adaptation period. The ARB website sets out the current overseas recognition routes and application process: arb.org.uk/overseas-applicants

Engineers (Chartered Status)

Engineering in the UK is not a single regulated profession in the same way as medicine or law — there is no single licence required to call yourself an engineer or to work as one. However, chartered engineer status is professionally significant and often required or preferred by employers and clients.

Chartered engineer status is awarded by the relevant professional engineering institution — such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) — under the oversight of the Engineering Council. Romanian engineers can apply for membership and chartership through the institution most relevant to their discipline. The Engineering Council's IQEP (International Qualifications Evaluations Process) provides a route for overseas-qualified engineers.

Romanian engineering degrees are typically assessed as comparable to UK bachelor's or master's degrees — a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability is often requested as part of membership applications to professional institutions.

Solicitors (England and Wales)

Romanian law qualifications are not directly recognised for qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales. Admission as a solicitor now requires passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which replaced the earlier qualified lawyer transfer assessment route and applies equally to all candidates regardless of their country of training.

The SQE consists of two assessments: SQE1 (multiple-choice assessments of legal knowledge) and SQE2 (practical legal skills assessments). In addition to passing both SQE assessments, candidates must complete two years of qualifying work experience. Romanian lawyers who already hold a qualification as a lawyer in their home jurisdiction may be able to use prior experience to satisfy part of the qualifying work experience requirement, but must still pass the SQE assessments.

Note: Scotland has a separate legal system (Scots law) with its own qualification requirements via the Law Society of Scotland. A Romanian lawyer wishing to practise in Scotland would follow a different route from England and Wales.

Teachers (England)

To teach in state-funded schools in England, teachers require Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Romanian teachers can apply for QTS through the TRA's overseas-trained teacher route. The TRA assesses whether the applicant's teaching qualification is equivalent to QTS. Romanian teacher training qualifications are EU qualifications and are assessed under the TRA's current overseas assessment framework.

Note: Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have separate teaching registration requirements — a Romanian teacher wishing to work in Scottish state schools would apply through the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland).