Professional Competence

Professional Competence is a formal way for doctors to record their lifelong learning and highlight their dedication to developing and maintaining key skills and competencies throughout their medical career. All doctors not in training are legally obliged to maintain their professional competence by enrolling in professional competence schemes and following requirements set by the Irish Medical Council.  The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is appointed by the Medical Council to run the Professional Competence Scheme for psychiatrists.

Since 1st May 2011 practitioners on the General, Specialist and Supervised Divisions of the Medical Council register have been legally required to enrol in a Professional Competence Scheme related to their scope of practice.  Doctors in a recognised training post do not need to enrol in a PCS.