Official sources, in one place.

The official rules for first-time applicants, including when the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) applies and the formal exemption criteria.

Which overseas internships the Council may recognise, and the conditions that must be met. Recognition is never automatic.

Official overview of visas, permissions and registering your immigration permission after arrival.

How to apply for your PPSN, which you need for tax, payroll and public services.

Register your first Irish job through myAccount so you are not placed on emergency tax.

The HSE's published consolidated pay scales, setting out the rates of pay for each grade, including NCHD grades.

The HSE's published relocation package information.

Eligibility is specific and there are exceptions, including for NCHDs on rotation schemes. Check the criteria and confirm with your employer: do not assume it applies to you.

Official employment-permit and immigration arrangements for non-EEA doctors. The Department lists Medical Council registration as required for the grant of a permit for medical practitioners. Checked October 2026.

Official rules on which foreign licences can be exchanged for an Irish licence. Checked October 2026 (the site blocks automated link checks; verify in a browser).

HSE information and supports for healthcare staff relocating to Ireland from abroad.

The Council's guide for doctors new to practice in Ireland. Authoritative, but it complements, and does not replace, your hospital's own induction.

An independent association offering community, peer support and mentorship for international doctors in Ireland.

National guidance on how laboratories communicate results likely to need urgent action. It covers the laboratory process, not a universal inpatient clinical algorithm; follow your hospital's local policy.

Background on national healthcare standards, including medication reconciliation as part of safe care.

Older general guidance, used here as background. Always follow your hospital's current local medication policy.

Published educational-leave guidance and approval conditions; confirm coverage, training status and current employer policy.

Occupational health support and confidential self-referral advice for eligible HSE or Section 38 NCHDs; check eligibility.

The HSE's description of its six health regions, created in 2024, each responsible for hospital and community care in its area. Checked October 2026.

The HSE's description of community mental health teams for adults aged 18 to 65, referral through a GP or another health professional, and Psychiatry of Later Life teams for people over 65. Checked November 2026.

The HSE's description of CAMHS, the specialist service for people under 18 with moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Checked November 2026.

An example of a hospital psychiatry service whose adult community mental health teams each cover a geographical sector, with referrals from GPs and emergency departments. Checked November 2026.

Independent, not-for-profit service offering free, confidential help to doctors in Ireland dealing with stress, burnout, mental health difficulties or alcohol or drug use. Self-referral by phone or email. Checked November 2026 (the site blocks automated link checks; verify in a browser).

The HSE's own guide for hospital doctors: police vetting, pre-employment health screening, the NER, mandatory training, working-time law and the postgraduate training bodies. Checked November 2026.

Current rules and amounts for the Training Support Scheme, the Clinical Course and Exam Refund Scheme and CPD support for NCHDs on the HSE contract. Checked November 2026.

The RSA's guidance on the risks of driving tired. Checked October 2026 (the site blocks automated link checks; verify in a browser).

The standards expected of every registered doctor: confidentiality, consent, records, raising concerns and more.

Communication skills resources designed for IMGs working in the Irish health service.

A skills card describing each part of ISBAR3 for structured clinical handover.

National guidance on communication and clinical handover in acute and children's hospital services, with the full report and summary.

Handover risks and practical principles for transferring responsibility during care.

National early warning system resources, including INEWS; apply your hospital's local escalation and emergency response processes.

Official summary of the 2015 Act (as amended in 2022), which fully commenced on 26 April 2023 and replaced wardship. Checked October 2026.

HSE overview of the Act, in effect from 26 September 2024, which makes disclosure of specified notifiable incidents a legal requirement. Checked October 2026.

The HSE's consent policy for health and social care; the policy page lists it as effective from 22 January 2024. Checked October 2026.

How State indemnity for clinical claims against State authorities (the HSE and funded voluntary organisations) operates. Confirm your own cover with your employer. Checked October 2026.

Workforce planning and training information for NCHDs, including an overview of the NCHD Employment Record (NER).

RCPI's overview of Basic Specialist Training in medicine, paediatrics and related specialties.

Eligibility, selection and allocation guidance for BST. Rules change between intakes: always read the current version.

RCSI's surgical training routes, structure and application information.

Programme-specific eligibility documentation and aptitude-testing requirements; consult the latest published intake guidance.

The published standard NCHD contract used in public health service employment: hours, duties, education and training, leave and pay sections. Your own signed contract and employer govern your terms. Checked October 2026.

How research ethics committees govern health research in the HSE and its funded organisations. Checked October 2026.

Who must enrol in a professional competence scheme and what the framework in force from 1 May 2025 requires, including Practice Review and the Professional Development Plan. Checked November 2026.

The Council's list of postgraduate training bodies, with links to each. Entry rules are set by each body. Checked November 2026.

The Practical Guide to Clinical Audit (2025), a glossary of audit terms and data protection FAQs for audit teams. Checked November 2026.

Six steps for designing, testing and sustaining an improvement project, with QI methods and tools. Checked November 2026.

How the Health Research Regulations 2018 treat consent for using personal data in health research, and when a consent declaration may apply. Checked November 2026.