PLAB 2 dates and fees in 2026
The PLAB 2 exam fee is £1,036 for exams from 1 April 2026, booked through GMC Online and sat at the GMC Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester. This page keeps the numbers in one place: current PLAB fees, cancellation charges, how and when to book a date, and what a realistic total budget looks like once travel and preparation are included.
PLAB fees for 2026
The GMC revises PLAB fees each April. The current figures:
| Fee | Until 31 March 2026 | From 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| PLAB 1 exam fee | £273 | £283 |
| PLAB 2 exam fee | £998 | £1,036 |
Fees are paid to the GMC at the time of booking. If you are reading this close to April, check whether your exam date falls under the new fee year before budgeting: the fee that applies is set by when you sit, not when you book.
PLAB 2 cancellation charges
Cancelling costs more the closer you are to the exam. The GMC deducts a cancellation charge and refunds the remainder:
| When you cancel | Charge | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| More than 42 days before the exam | 10% of the fee | £103 |
| 42 to 29 days before the exam | 50% of the fee | £518 |
| 28 days or less before the exam | 100% of the fee | £1,036 |
The practical consequence: do not book a date you are only half sure of. If your preparation slips, the decision point is 43 days out, while the penalty is still 10%.
How do you book a PLAB 2 date?
Booking runs only through your own GMC Online account. To be eligible you need an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification and a valid PLAB 1 pass, and you must pass PLAB 2 within two years of passing PLAB 1. The GMC releases places in its booking service through the year; when a release happens, dates go quickly, so have your account ready and check regularly rather than waiting for an announcement.
Two warnings straight from the GMC's booking guidance: no agency or third party can book for you, and sharing your GMC Online details with anyone is treated as misconduct that can affect your booking and future registration. The number of PLAB places is also not linked to NHS vacancies, so book on your own readiness, not on job-market rumours.
When does PLAB 2 run?
PLAB 2 runs through the year at the GMC Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester, the exam's only venue. There is no fixed annual timetable to plan around: availability depends on when the GMC releases places, which is another reason the two-year window after PLAB 1 matters. Most candidates aim to book roughly 8 to 12 weeks ahead of when they want to sit, matching the usual preparation window.
The full PLAB 2 budget
The exam fee is the largest single line, but rarely half the true cost for an overseas candidate:
- PLAB 2 fee: £1,036
- English test: IELTS Academic or OET fee, roughly £200 depending on country
- Travel to Manchester: flights for overseas candidates, trains inside the UK
- Accommodation: two to three nights near the assessment centre
- Preparation: £0 to £500+. In-person mock courses charge £300 to £500 for a day (see the courses comparison); spoken station practice on Plabity is free and unlimited
The preparation line is the only one you control. Every Plabity station is free, timed to the real eight minutes and marked to the PLAB rubric, so the practice budget can genuinely be zero: see the free PLAB 2 mock test.
Put the fee to work
£1,036 buys one attempt. The cheapest thing you can do is make the first attempt the only one: daily spoken stations with feedback are the strongest predictor of a first-time pass, and they cost nothing here.
Start practising free Read the complete PLAB 2 guide
Frequently asked questions
How much does PLAB 2 cost in 2026?
The PLAB 2 exam fee is £1,036 for exams from 1 April 2026, paid to the GMC when you book through GMC Online. PLAB 1 is £283 over the same period. Budget separately for your English test, travel to Manchester, accommodation and preparation.
How do I book a PLAB 2 date?
You book PLAB 2 only through your own GMC Online account. You need an acceptable overseas primary medical qualification and a valid PLAB 1 pass, and you must pass PLAB 2 within two years of passing PLAB 1. The GMC releases places in its booking service through the year; no agency or third party can book for you, and sharing your account details counts as misconduct.
What happens if I cancel my PLAB 2 booking?
Cancellation charges depend on notice. More than 42 days before the exam you lose 10% of the fee (£103). Between 42 and 29 days you lose 50% (£518). At 28 days or less you lose the full fee (£1,036). The remainder, where any, is refunded.
Where is PLAB 2 held?
PLAB 2 is held only at the GMC Clinical Assessment Centre in Manchester, United Kingdom. Every candidate travels to Manchester, so overseas candidates should budget for flights, a visa where needed, and two to three nights of accommodation.
The exam fee is fixed. The preparation cost isn't.
Free timed stations, marked to the PLAB rubric. Make attempt one the only one.
Start practising free