Collecting Supporting Information

To support trainers in collecting appropriate evidence for Recognition, the GMC adopted the Academy of Medical Educators’ Framework for Supervisors which details seven competency areas:

  1. Ensure Safe & effective patient care through training
  2. Establish and maintain an environment for learning
  3. Teaching & facilitating learning
  4. Enhancing learning through assessment
  5. Supporting & monitoring educational progress
  6. Guiding personal & professional development
  7. Continuing professional development as an educator

Named Clinical Supervisors are expected to provide evidence in areas 1-4 and 7. Educational Supervisors and Undergraduate named trainers are expected to provide evidence across all seven areas.

Minimum standards

For guidance, the EOs have defined a set of minimum standards [PDF] for initial recognition. These minimum standards aim to ensure that all trainers have the appropriate knowledge and skills for their educational role.

Initial recognition

For initial recognition, you will need to collect evidence that shows you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and understanding to perform a teaching or training role.

There are three routes to initial recognition:

  • Completion of an accredited course or qualification in medical education, or a basic training programme mapped against the GMC's framework (including the completion of any other mandatory training elements).
  • Award of full membership or fellowship of the Academy of Medical Educators or fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or professional recognition via a similar scheme supported by your Medical School or Royal College. 
  • For experienced trainers, submission of a range of supporting information uploaded into the SOAR document store and mapped to all relevant Framework areas. Trainers who are not appraised through SOAR will be provided with information about how to collate information and self-declare by their EO (usually a Medical School)

Supporting information might include certificates of attendance at training but could also include reflections or a wide range of other elements. Documentation mapped to all relevant framework areas will show the EO that you are ready for initial recognition.

Ongoing recognition

Since January 2026 there is no longer a requirement from the GMC to maintain ‘recognised trainer’ status. However it is agreed good practice that Trainers should continue to develop in the role(s). At your annual appraisal meeting, you and your appraiser should discuss your educator role in the same way other roles and responsibilities are discussed. A useful model to consider might be 

  • what you do (timetables, rotas, teaching plans, Measurement of Teaching (MoT) data etc.)
  • why you do it in that particular way (best practice identified from literature, attendance at training, discussions with colleagues, journal clubs, reflective notes etc.)
  • how well you do it (student or resident feedback, multi-source feedback, peer observation etc.)

The discussion between you and your appraiser will remain confidential and will not be shared with the EO. Your supporting documents will not routinely be made available to EOs but they may contact you to request them as part of their decision making and/or quality management processes.

This page was last updated on: 28.09.2026 at 16.08