We’ve all been there, panicking about whether we’ll make it with the CREST form for the 2025 MSRA exam. Questions such as who can sign it, how to fill it out, or how to upload it on Oriel are very uncommon.
I will also link the latest CREST form 2025 for download in PDF form in this blog, so you don’t have to worry about finding it.
The process of completing and submission involves several steps, including filling out the required sections, obtaining the appropriate signatures, and uploading the form to Oriel.
Among the many requirements for MSRA and subsequent training applications, the CREST (Certificate of Readiness to Enter Speciality Training) form often confuses international medical graduates (IMGs) and UK-trained doctors alike.
For IMGs, this can be signed in the applicant’s home country, but it is essential to follow the correct process to ensure the form is signed correctly and accepted for NHS jobs or training posts.
This can be signed by a range of qualified medical professionals, including academic professors, clinical directors, general practitioners, locum consultants, and medical superintendents, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Having the form signed by an eligible professional is a crucial step in the process to enter speciality training in the UK. This post will help you navigate the CREST form—what it is, who needs it, and how to complete it.
Do check out our FAQs section at the bottom to resolve common issues if your form is rejected.
Introduction to Specialty Training
Speciality training is a crucial stage in every doctor’s career, providing the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to practice in a chosen medical speciality. In the UK, the most common route to speciality training is through completion of the UK Foundation Programme, which equips doctors with essential clinical experience and competencies.
However, for those who have not completed the UK Foundation Programme—such as many international medical graduates (IMGs)— CREST form offers an alternative pathway.
The CREST form (Certificate of Readiness to Enter Speciality Training) is a key document that certifies a doctor’s readiness to enter speciality training. By submitting a completed form, you demonstrate that you have achieved the required competencies and are eligible to apply for speciality training posts in the UK.
The form must be signed by a consultant who can confirm your readiness to enter speciality training, making it a crucial step in your medical career progression
What is the CREST Form?
It is a document that certifies you possess the competencies equivalent to a UK Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctor. Essentially, it is proof that you are ready to enter speciality training in the UK.
The Certificate of Readiness to Enter Speciality Training is a formal requirement for doctors wishing to enter speciality training in the UK.
The CREST form in 2025 is used to ensure that all applicants have met a standard baseline of clinical competencies and professional skills before progressing further in their medical careers.
If you are still not in the NHS, you may try out our guide on CPD courses that can help you enhance your CV.
Who Needs the CREST Form in 2025?
You need this form if you:
- Have not completed a UK Foundation Programme.
- Are you an IMG or have you gained medical experience outside the UK?
- Have worked in non-training posts in the UK and want to enter speciality training.
Your GMC registration status (provisional or full) may affect your eligibility for speciality training and determine the specific pathway you need to follow.
You do not need the form if you have completed a UK Foundation Programme or are applying for a training pathway that doesn’t require it (e.g., some GP training programs may waive this requirement if competencies are demonstrated through other means).
Additionally, the CREST form 2025 is intended for GP training posts, not IMT posts. Apart from building your IMT portfolio, you can also take the MRCP 1, which can be beneficial during the interview phase.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to enter speciality training in the UK, you must either complete the UK Foundation Programme or demonstrate equivalent competencies through the CREST form.
This is especially relevant for IMG doctors who have not undertaken the UK Foundation Programme. It enables you to demonstrate your readiness for speciality training by documenting your clinical experience and competencies.
Requirements to Complete the CREST Form 2025
To fill out the form, you need a supervising consultant who:
- Has directly observed your work for 3 months wholly within 3½ years before the advertised post start date for which you are applying
- Can confirm you’ve demonstrated all the competencies listed in the form.
- Is registered with the GMC (General Medical Council) with a licence to practice.
You may need to provide the consultant’s registration certificate as supporting documentation.
The person endorsing the form must have appropriate professional qualifications and registration to ensure the form is accepted.
Can IMG consultants who are not registered with the GMC sign the CREST form?
The answer is YES!
If your signatory is registered with any medical regulatory authority other than the General Medical Council (GMC), then you should also make sure they submit current evidence of their registration with that authority. A certified translation should be included if this is not in English. Historic registration with the GMC will not be accepted. Failure to provide this will result in you, the applicant, being rejected.
Before submitting the form for certification, ensure that all required signatures and supporting documents are obtained.
Where Consultant means: General Practitioners, Clinical Directors, Medical Superintendents, Academic Professors, and locum Consultants with a CCT/CESR and who are on the specialist register.
You must:
- Work in a clinical role where you can demonstrate FY1-level competencies.
- Provide evidence of your work, such as logbooks, feedback, and assessments.
Update for CREST Form 2025
For CREST Form 2025, note what HEE has to say: The 2024 form was updated in September 2024 to include an applicant checklist. Either version of the form (last updated 2023 or 2024) will be accepted for 2025 recruitment rounds.
Signature: Digitally or Physically signed?
Ideally, Physical signatures win the game. But if you need the digital ones, then you must:
- Valid registration certificate of the Consultant signed by it
- Letter from the Hospital stating the consultant signing is employed on a consultant grade
Readiness to Enter Speciality
Readiness to enter speciality training is assessed by your ability to demonstrate the required competencies outlined in the CREST form. This form includes a detailed checklist of competencies that must be completed and signed off by your supervising consultant. To support your application, you must provide current evidence from your clinical work—such as logbooks, case records, or assessments—that clearly shows you have achieved each competency.
Completing the CREST form is crucial, as it confirms your readiness to enter speciality training and supports your application for advertised posts. Ensure that all sections of the form are completed, all required evidence is submitted, and your consultant has signed off on each competency. This thorough documentation is essential for demonstrating your readiness and increasing your chances of a successful application.
GMC Registration Process
GMC registration is a vital requirement for IMG doctors who wish to enter specialty training in the UK. To be eligible for specialty training, you must be registered with the General Medical Council and hold a valid GMC registration number. The GMC registration process involves submitting an application, providing evidence of your medical qualifications, and demonstrating your proficiency in the English language.
As part of the process, you will need to submit supporting documents such as degree certificates, proof of internship or clinical experience, and evidence of language skills (such as IELTS or OET results). Only once you are fully registered with the GMC are you eligible to apply for specialty training posts. Ensuring your GMC registration is complete and up to date is a critical step in your journey to specialty training in the UK.
Required Competencies for the CREST Form
When preparing your form to enter speciality training in the UK, understanding and demonstrating the required competencies is crucial. It is designed to ensure that every doctor—whether you’ve completed the UK Foundation Programme or are an International Medical Graduate (IMG)—can provide current evidence of their readiness to enter speciality training.
To complete the CREST form successfully, you must show that you have achieved the same level of competency as a UK Foundation Year 1 doctor. This means you need to provide evidence from your clinical work that covers all the required competencies outlined by the UK Foundation Programme.
These competencies are not just a checklist—they are the foundation of safe and effective medical practice in the UK.
Detailed Guide With Images
In total, there are 6 pages. Usually, you only have to upload the first 4, but it is recommended to upload all 6.
The last one is a checklist, which you do not need to upload.
If you are still looking for a job in the NHS, check out our guides on:
- Complete NHS interview questions with templates
- Best 5 places to look for NHS jobs
- Trac Jobs NHS Application Guide With Templates for Doctors
The 5th one stating: List of people whose evidence I have used in signing this certificate- You only fill this in if you have asked someone other than the consultant to fill in some remaining parts for evidence.
The form includes the following key areas:
- Professionalism and Governance
Demonstrate sound clinical judgment, patient safety awareness, and effective communication. - Practical Procedures
Show proficiency in performing essential procedures, such as venepuncture, cannulation, and catheterisation. - Clinical Care
Confirm your ability to assess, diagnose, and manage patients effectively. - Teamwork and Leadership
Provide evidence of working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and leading when necessary. - Time Management and Prioritisation
Showcase your ability to manage workloads and prioritise tasks efficiently.
Cutting to the chase, I will put the images and explain thoroughly how to fill the CREST form correctly:
Page 1
This is merely the instructions page, and you do not have to fill it out anyway. Read carefully and upload this page as well.
Page 2
Unfilled Version Page 2
Filled Version Page 2
The conflict I faced while filling out the CREST form 2024 was determining what to put in the post-end date. Well, I put it to date. You can also write your contract end date. Either way, it worked.
Page 3
Unfilled Version Page 3
Filled Version Page 3
It is identical to page 2, to be honest. However, the key point to note is that if, for some reason, on pages 2 and 3, you are unable to tick mark any competency as ‘Personally witnessed’, and have to pick ‘Evidence received’.
In that case, you are moving to page 5 of the form.
Page 4
Unfilled Version Page 4
This page is one of the crucial ones where mistakes are frequently made.
A fairly standard error is not getting the hospital stamp at the bottom of the page.
As stated, if you are unable to obtain the stamp, you can provide a copy of hospital letterhead confirming the same from your hospital.
Filled Version Page 4
Page 5
I did not have to fill this page as my consultant signed off on all the competencies, which is usually the case with most.
However, if you are stuck and need to get this signed, you will need to have it countersigned on this page by a different colleague, who can be another consultant or, if a trainee, a minimum ST5.
Page 6
This is merely a checklist and does not need to be uploaded. This is for your own sake to see if there is anything missing and make any corrections if needed.
Download CREST Form 2025 Latest Version
If you have the previous version signed, it is also acceptable sometimes, as HEE has mentioned.
You can find this information, as well as the link to the latest CREST form in PDF version, by clicking the link below:
Do not download from anywhere else other than the HEE website I have linked above.
IMG Doctors Support
IMG doctors navigating specialty training process can access a range of support and guidance. The NHS offers resources specifically for IMG doctors, including detailed information, eligibility criteria, and the application process for specialty training.
Consultants, supervisors, and medical regulatory authorities can also provide valuable guidance and support during the CREST form signing process.
In addition, various organizations offer support for IMG doctors, such as language training, cultural adaptation programs, and career development workshops.
Seeking support from these resources can help you better understand the requirements, avoid common pitfalls, and successfully complete the CREST form. By reaching out for guidance and making use of available support, IMG doctors can confidently progress towards entering specialty training in the UK.
Common Challenges and Tips
- Challenge: Supervisors are unfamiliar with the form.
Tip: Clearly explain the purpose of the form and guide the official documentation. - Challenge: Gaps in competencies.
Tip: Proactively seek opportunities to fill these gaps during your clinical work. - Challenge: Time constraints with supervisors.
Tip: Schedule meetings early and ensure you’ve prepared all necessary evidence beforehand.
Do check our comprehensive guide on:
- Best 5 Places to Find NHS Jobs for IMG Doctors in 2025
- Understanding NHS Staff Roles in the MDT
- Free and Paid CPD Courses for NHS Trac Jobs
- NHS Clinical Attachment Cover Letter Template PDF
CREST Form 2025 FAQs
Do I need to upload all 6 pages?
Yes, it is recommended to upload all 6 pages. However, if you upload the first 4, given you do not need page 5, then you are good as well.
Where can I check whether my form has been approved or not?
No, a single signed CREST form is valid across different speciality applications if competencies remain relevant. It is typically approved before the invitations are sent, so relax and keep an eye on this tab.
My CREST form was rejected as consultant is not on specialist register?
This is one of the key requirements for consultant signing the form. In such a case, you will have to seek another consultant for signature.
I am getting it signed from an IMG consultant as I do not work in the NHS yet.
In such a case, you will have to attach two additional files:
- Valid registration certificate of the consultant.
- Letter from the hospital stating that the consultant is employed with them at consultant grade.
What evidence should I provide to support my CREST form?
Evidence can include logbooks, patient case records, assessments, and feedback.
Do I need a new CREST form for every speciality application?
No, a single signed form is valid across different speciality applications if competencies remain relevant.
How long do I need to work with a supervisor before they can sign the form?
Typically, you need to work with your supervisor for at least three months.
I made an error while filling out the form, what to do now?
Mail and seek advice. Most likely, it will be rejected and you will be asked to submit it again and you can rectify the error in that case.
I am unable to get the hospital stamp?
You will have to provide a copy of hospital letterhead confirming the same from your hospital and attach it with the form as evidence.
Can you explain where in the crest form criterias states the consultant must be registered with GMC?
Thank you for your question, Tolu!
According to the official guidance from the UK Foundation Programme Office and the MSRA application process, the consultant or supervisor signing the CREST form must hold GMC registration with a license to practise. Otherwise, an IMG consultant can also sign the CREST form 2025 given an evidence is provided for the same. This is outlined as:
If your signatory is registered with any medical regulatory authority other than the General Medical Council (GMC), then you should also make sure they submit current evidence of their registration with that authority. A certified translation should be included if this is not in English. Historic registration with the GMC will not be accepted. Failure to provide this will result in you, the applicant, being rejected.
You can find this specified in the official CREST form notes here: https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/foundation-competencies/certificate-of-readiness/crest
I am currently doing my Housejob/Internship. I have a total of 4 rotations, each of which are of 3 months duration. Can I get my CREST form signed by the supervisor I work with during those 3 months? Thanks
Hi Shahkaar! You can take the MSRA during your internship/house job, but:
Just make sure:
Hope that helps! Let me know if you need the internship criteria or CREST evidence tips — happy to share.