🇺🇸 United States → UK
Work in the UK
from the United States.
US-trained nurses, doctors, dentists and pharmacists can build a career in the UK and the NHS. As a professional from a majority English-speaking country you are usually exempt from IELTS and OET — you complete your profession’s standard UK registration and move on a Health & Care Worker Visa.
Overview
Your move from the United States to a UK healthcare career.
More US healthcare professionals are looking to the UK for NHS experience, a different pace of practice or family and lifestyle reasons. The good news: coming from the United States gives you one clear head start — you are treated as a professional from a majority English-speaking country, so you are typically exempt from the IELTS and OET language tests. There is no separate "fast-track" for US qualifications, so you complete the standard UK assessment for your profession, but your US training is strong preparation. Here is exactly how each route works.
English language
Typically no IELTS or OET required
The United States is on the NMC, GMC, GDC and GPhC lists of majority English-speaking countries. In practice, US-trained professionals usually prove their English through their English-medium qualification or recent US practice instead of sitting a separate language test.
The exemption is evidence-based, not automatic. The GMC, for example, requires you to be a US national and to have earned your medical degree in the USA. We confirm your exact position before you apply.
Your registration route
How each profession registers in the UK.
Nurses
Regulator: NMCUS Registered Nurses register with the NMC through the Test of Competence — the CBT (computer-based test, which can be sat in the USA) and the OSCE (a practical exam taken in the UK). There is no separate route for US nurses, but your NCLEX-RN background is strong preparation. Official NMC fees total around £1,170.
Doctors
Regulator: GMCUS doctors usually register with the GMC via PLAB (now delivered as the MLA), or by using an accepted US postgraduate qualification or board certification awarded within the last three years in place of PLAB. The older USMLE exemption route is effectively closed to recent graduates. Specialist registration is via CCT or the Portfolio pathway (formerly CESR/CEGPR).
Dentists
Regulator: GDCUS-qualified dentists register by passing the GDC’s Overseas Registration Exam (ORE). US dental degrees are not directly recognised, so the ORE is the route to GDC registration.
Pharmacists
Regulator: GPhCUS pharmacists register via the OSPAP — a one-year UK postgraduate conversion diploma — followed by 52 weeks of foundation training and the GPhC registration assessment.
Visa & immigration
The Health & Care Worker Visa
The USA is not part of the UK Youth Mobility Scheme, so the main route for American healthcare professionals is the Health & Care Worker Visa — a sponsored visa tied to a job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer such as an NHS trust or a private provider. Its benefits are significant: exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, reduced application fees (from around £324 per person), and a path to indefinite leave to remain after five years. Nurses, doctors, dentists and pharmacists are all eligible occupations.
No Immigration Health Surcharge
The Health & Care Worker Visa exempts healthcare staff and their dependants from the IHS, and comes with reduced application fees.
A clear route to settlement
The Health & Care Worker Visa leads to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years in the UK.
We handle sponsorship
We help you find an approved UK sponsor — NHS trust or private provider — and prepare your Certificate of Sponsorship and application.
Step by step
From the United States to working in the UK.
Free eligibility review
We map your US qualification and registration to the right UK regulator route and flag anything that needs checking.
Register with your regulator
NMC Test of Competence, GMC/PLAB, GDC Overseas Registration Exam or GPhC OSPAP — we prepare and support your application.
English language
Usually exempt as a US-trained professional; we confirm and assemble your evidence so there are no surprises.
Job offer & Health & Care Worker Visa
We help you secure a sponsored NHS or private role and apply for the visa — no Immigration Health Surcharge.
Start work in the UK
Begin practising in the UK with a clear five-year route to settlement (indefinite leave to remain).
FAQ
Moving to the UK from the United States — common questions.
Do US nurses need IELTS or OET for the NMC?
Usually not. The USA is on the NMC’s list of majority English-speaking countries, so US-trained nurses normally evidence their English through their English-medium training or recent US practice instead of sitting IELTS or OET. You still complete the NMC Test of Competence (CBT + OSCE).
Can an American doctor work in the NHS?
Yes. US doctors typically register with the GMC via PLAB (now the MLA) or an accepted US postgraduate qualification, then take up an NHS post under the Health & Care Worker Visa. We guide you through GMC registration and employer sponsorship.
Is there a working-holiday visa for Americans?
No — the USA is not part of the UK Youth Mobility Scheme. The main route for US healthcare professionals is the sponsored Health & Care Worker Visa, which is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge and leads to settlement after five years.
Do I have to redo all my exams?
You do not redo your US degree, but each UK regulator has its own assessment — the NMC Test of Competence, GMC PLAB, GDC Overseas Registration Exam or GPhC OSPAP. Your US training is strong preparation, and we tell you exactly what applies to you.
Information is correct to the best of our knowledge in 2026. Regulator requirements, fees and immigration rules change, and English-language exemptions are evidence-based rather than automatic. We confirm your exact route with the relevant UK regulator before you apply.
Free consultation
Planning your move from the United States?
Tell us your profession, qualification and where you trained. A Global Pathways advisor will map your UK registration and visa route — completely free.
Email us directly
info@globalpathways.co.ukResponse time
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