AMC Registration Guide

How to Register for AMC Part 1

The AMC registration process involves several administrative steps spread across weeks to months. The timeline is driven almost entirely by primary source verification — the step where ECFMG confirms your medical qualification directly with your medical school. Everything else in the process is relatively fast, but PSV alone can take 4–12 weeks or longer.

Starting the administrative process early is critical. Many candidates delay their application until they feel ready for the exam, then discover that verification takes months and pushes back their exam date well beyond what they planned. Begin the registration process as soon as you decide to pursue the AMC pathway — you can prepare for the exam in parallel.

Step 1: Create an AMC Account

Visit amc.org.au and create a candidate account (also referred to as the AMC portfolio). This is your central account for the entire AMC pathway — you will use it for AMC Part 1, AMC Part 2 (or WBA), and to access your results and AMC Certificate when the time comes.

Use an email address you check regularly and will have access to for years. All correspondence from the AMC, including eligibility decisions, authorisation confirmations, and result notifications, will be sent to this address.

Keep your login credentials secure and note your AMC candidate number once it is issued.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Once your account is created, submit your formal application for the AMC MCQ examination through the AMC portal. The application requires:

• Personal identification details — full name (exactly as it appears on your passport), date of birth, nationality, contact details
• Medical qualification details — institution name, degree title, and graduation year. These must match the information that will be verified through EPIC.
• Payment of the application processing fee — payable online through the AMC portal

English language proficiency is not required at this stage. You do not need to submit English test scores (IELTS, OET, or PTE Academic) to apply for or sit the AMC MCQ examination. English proficiency is required later, when you apply for AHPRA registration to work in Australia. See the Eligibility page for details on when English requirements apply.

Step 3: Primary Source Verification

The AMC requires your medical qualification to be verified directly with your issuing institution through the ECFMG's EPIC system (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials). This is a mandatory step — you cannot proceed to the exam without it.

The EPIC process involves creating an EPIC account, nominating the AMC as a recipient, uploading identity documents (colour photograph, scanned passport, EPIC Identification Form), and having ECFMG contact your medical school directly to confirm your qualification.

Timeline: PSV typically takes 4–12 weeks, sometimes longer. The primary variable is how quickly your medical school responds to ECFMG's verification request. Start this process immediately — do not wait until you feel ready for the exam.

For the complete step-by-step EPIC process, required documents, and what to do if verification is delayed, see the full AMC Primary Source Verification guide.

Step 4: AMC Assessment Decision

Once ECFMG has verified your qualification and transmitted the report to the AMC, the AMC reviews your complete application and makes an eligibility decision. If everything is in order — your medical school is recognised, your qualification is verified, and your application is complete — you will receive confirmation that you are eligible to sit the AMC MCQ examination.

This assessment step may take additional days to weeks after PSV is complete, depending on AMC processing times. You will be notified through your AMC account and by email.

If your application is not approved, the AMC will explain the reason. Common issues include unrecognised medical schools, incomplete documentation, or PSV discrepancies.

Step 5: Examination Registration

After receiving your eligibility approval, apply for an examination authorisation through your AMC portal. The authorisation is essentially your permission to schedule and sit the exam. Once approved, it is valid for 12 months — you must schedule and sit the exam within this window.

To complete the authorisation, you will need to pay the examination fee of AUD $2,920. This fee is non-refundable and applies to each attempt. If you do not sit the exam within the 12-month authorisation period, you will need to apply and pay again.

Step 6: Schedule Your Exam

With your authorisation confirmed, you schedule your specific exam date and test centre through Pearson VUE. The AMC Part 1 is available year-round at Pearson VUE centres worldwide, subject to seat availability.

Key scheduling considerations:

• Book early — Popular centres (particularly in major cities) fill up weeks or months in advance. Aim to book 3–4 months ahead of your target date.
• Choose a realistic date — Select a date that allows you to complete your study plan. Do not book based on when you want to be ready; book based on when your preparation data (mock exam scores, question bank accuracy) says you will be ready.
• Know the cancellation policy — Check Pearson VUE's rescheduling and cancellation policies before confirming. Fees and deadlines apply.
• Arrive 30 minutes early — On exam day, you must arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. Late arrival may result in being turned away. See the Exam Day Guide for full details on what to expect.

Fees

The AMC charges fees at multiple stages. Based on the most recently published information:

The examination fee is the largest single cost and is non-refundable. If you do not pass and need to reattempt, the full $2,920 applies again. Two attempts total $5,840; three total $8,760. This is a strong practical argument for not sitting the exam until you have objective evidence of readiness from full-length mock exams.

For the latest fee schedule, check the AMC fees and charges page. For retake costs and policy, see the Retake Policy.

After You Register

Once your exam is booked, focus your remaining time on structured preparation. Use the AMC Part 1 Exam Guide to understand the format and the 6-Month Study Plan or 3-Month Study Plan to organise your study around the official content blueprint.

Review the AMC Part 1 Syllabus to understand the six patient groups and their weightings, and begin building question practice volume with a Question Bank aligned to the AMC blueprint.