Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) Practical Skills

Introduction

All medical students in the UK will need to pass the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA) before being able to join the medical register and work as a doctor. The MLA will consist of two parts:

• Applied knowledge test (AKT): a 200-question online multiple choice exam using single best answer (SBA) questions
• Clinical and professional skills assessment (CPSA): a practical examination (e.g. OSCE) run by medical schools

The medical licensing assessment content map sets out the content which could be tested as part of the MLA, either as part of the AKT or CPSA. 

As part of the clinical and professional skills assessment (CPSA), medical students may be expected to perform various practical skills in an examination setting. Medical schools will be responsible for running the CPSA in line with the requirements of the General Medical Council. 

Being familiar with these practical skills and procedures is important before taking the CPSA. The General Medical Council outline the practical skills they expect newly qualified doctors to be able to perform in Outcomes for Graduates (practical skills and procedures).

We’ve included the list of practical skills and procedures for the MLA below, with relevant links to Geeky Medics OSCE guides. 

Practical skills for the MLA

Visit our practical skills OSCE category for our complete range of clinical skills guides. 

Patient assessment 👩‍⚕️

• Physiological observations (taking and recording)
• Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)
• Direct ophthalmoscopy
• Otoscopy

Diagnostic procedures 💉

• Blood cultures
• Arterial blood gas (ABG)
• Venepuncture
• Capillary blood glucose
• Urine multi dipstick test (urinalysis)
• 3- and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Take and/or instruct patients how to take a swab

Patient care ⚕️

• Perform surgical scrubbing up
• Set up an infusion
• Use correct techniques for moving and handling, including frail patients

Prescribing 💊

• Instruct patients in the use of devices for inhaled medication (inhaler technique)
• Prescribe and administer oxygen
• Prepare and administer injectable drugs: intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous

Therapeutic procedures 🏥

• Intravenous cannulation
• Blood transfusion
• Male urinary catheterisation
• Female urinary catheterisation
• Wound care and basic wound closure and dressing
• Nasogastric tube placement
• Local anaesthetics

References

• General Medical Council. MLA content map. Published in 2021. Available from: [LINK]
• General Medical Council. Practical skills and procedures. Published in 2020. Available from: [LINK]