Quick guide
SMC CME point requirements
How many Continuing Medical Education points you need to renew your Practising Certificate (PC), and what counts as core and Medical Ethics points — explained visually.
The standard requirement
For a full-practice 2-year PC, over a 24-month qualifying period. Core and Ethics points are counted within the total — not on top of it:
These are two separate sub-requirements within your 50 points: at least 10 core points in your specialty / Family Medicine, and at least 5 from Ethics core programmes. The Ethics points are not part of the 10 specialty core.
Requirements by renewal type
Ethics points apply to renewals from 1 Jan 2025.
Lower-fee PC: no core requirement and no category caps.
Lower-fee PC: no core requirement and no category caps.
“Reduced practice” is the lower-fee PC for doctors practising on a limited basis. New PCs and resumptions after a break follow the full-practice figures over a 24-month qualifying period.
What counts as a “core” point?
Core points must be in your registered specialty (or sub-specialty).
Core points must be in Family Medicine.
A separate block of Mandatory Medical Ethics (MME) points is required, in addition to specialty / Family Medicine core.
Where points come from
Tap a category to browse matching events. Point scales and caps vary by activity type; confirm details with the organiser and the SMC.
Track your points automatically
Add events to your plan and mark them complete — your dashboard tallies your progress toward each of these requirements.
This is an unofficial planning aid, not SMC guidance. Figures are based on published SMC requirements current as of 2026 and may change. Always confirm your standing and the current rules on the SMC website before applying for your Practising Certificate.