About Professional Competence
Introduction
Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (MPA 2007) places a statutory obligation on all registered medical practitioners to participate and engage in continuous professional development and indicate maintenance of standards of professional competence. As the body accredited by the Medical Council for Radiology and Radiation Oncology, the Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists is formally recognised by the Irish Medical Council (IMC) to administer a Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) for Radiology and Radiation Oncology. Participation by Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists in the PCS is a legal requirement from 1 May 2011.
For information on overseas practitioners and trainees, please see the Medical Council guidelines: Guide to Overseas Practitioners & Trainees
If you are on the Medical Register, but are currently not practicing, please see the following advice from the Medical Council here.
Medical Council Guidelines on the implications of GDPR on Clinical / Practice Audit
Upcoming changes to the PCS Requirements - Effective from May 1st 2025
- New PCS Framework - Mandatory from May 1st 2025
- New PCS and payment portal - Effective from May 1st 2025
- PCS, Fellow and Members annual subscription increase - Effective from May 1st 2025
- New CPD Accreditation requirements - Mandatory from May 1st 2025
2025/26 PCS Guidelines
The PCS requirements for the year 1 May 2025 - 30 April 2026 are as follows:
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Doctors engaged in the practice of medicine |
Doctors not engaged in the practice of medicine |
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If a doctor has declared during the annual retention process that they will be engaged in the practise of medicine in the Republic of Ireland during their period of registration, then they must complete the following annually: |
If a doctor is based in the Republic of Ireland and has declared during the annual retention process that they will not be engaged in the practise of medicine in Ireland during their period of registrationthen they must complete the following annually: |
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A professional development plan: |
Up to 5 hours | A professional development plan: | Up to 5 hours |
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One practice review activity - audit, quality improvement and/or practice evaluation: |
Minimum of 10 hours |
A mix of practice review activity (audit, quality improvement and/or practice evaluation) or work- based learning activity: |
Minimum of 25 hours |
| A mix of work-based learning activity | Minimum of 15 hours | Accredited CPD activity | Minimum of 20 hours |
| Accredited CPD activity | Minimum of 20 hours | ||
PCS Dates
PCS Year 15: 1 May 2025 - 30 April 2026
PCS Year 14: 1 May 2024 - 30 April 2025
PCS Year 13: 1 May 2023 – 30 April 2024
PCS Year 12: 1 May 2022 - 30 April 2023
PCS year 11: 1 May 2021 - 30 April 2022
PCS year 10: 1 May 2020 - 30 April 2020
PCS year 9: 1 May 2019 - 30 April 2020
PCS year 8: 1 May 2018 – 30 April 2019
PCS year 7: 1 May 2017 – 30 April 2018
PCS year 6 : 1 May 2016 – 30 April 2017
PCS year 5: 1 May 2015 – 30 April 2016
PCS Year 4: 1 May 2014 – 30 April 2015
PCS Year 3: 1 May 2013 – 30 April 2014
PCS Year 2: 1 May 2012 – 30 April 2013
PCS Year 1: 1 May 2011 – 30 April 2012
To enrol on the Professional Competence Scheme, please register via the PCS Portal HERE
For Part-Time or Retired PCS subscriptions, please see here for more information
CPD-SS Registration
In order to support NCHDs who are currently not in a training post to continue, maintain and enhancing their clinical knowledge and skills the HSE has developed the Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme.
The Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPD-SS) is an educational programme open to all NCHDs working in the public health service who
- are in non-training posts
- hold a 2010 NCHD contract with the HSE
- and are registered on a Professional Competence Scheme.
The CPD-SS is funded by the HSE. It helps you enhance your clinical knowledge and skills and fulfil some of your Professional Competence Scheme requirements in line with Medical Council requirements. Enrolment is free of charge.
Entry Criteria
- You are not enrolled in an intern training programme or on a postgraduate specialist training programme such as BST or HST
- You are enrolled on a Professional Competence Scheme applicable to your specialty
- You have paid your Professional Competence Scheme subscription
- You hold a 2010 NCHD contract
- You are working in the public health service
- You are on the General or Supervised Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council
To find out more about this scheme you can read the CPD-SS Guidance Document
CPD-SS Intake 2025-2026
1st intake: 14th July 2025 - 30th September 2025
2nd Intake: 8th December 2025 - 30th January 2026
To register for CPD-SS please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.with the CPD-SS Application Form
MedHub will be officially inaccessible to all users by May 30th 2025. Please upload all 2024-2025 CME to MedHub before this date.
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Guides & Newsletters
PCS requirements under the Maintenance of Professional Competence Framework
Medical Council Guide to Audit Please note that this relates to the Audit carried out by the Medical Council, and not the PCS category of clinical audit