How to get qualified in ADHD

There is no single UK licensing route into adult ADHD practice - clinicians build expertise through their core specialty training plus targeted ADHD experience and CPD. Below is an overview of the common pathways.

Consultant Psychiatrists typically build ADHD expertise through Core and Higher Psychiatric Training (MRCPsych) with a General Adult or Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry rotation, followed by ADHD-specific clinical experience. Relevant CPD includes Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) ADHD-focused courses and events run by the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN).

• GMC registration with a licence to practise
• MRCPsych (or equivalent specialist registration)
• Supervised clinical experience assessing adult ADHD
• Ongoing ADHD-specific CPD (RCPsych, UKAAN, or equivalent)

ADHD Specialist Nurses usually come from a mental health or neurodevelopmental nursing background, building ADHD-specific competency through supervised practice and dedicated training. A non-medical prescribing (NMP) qualification is valuable for nurses involved in titration and medication review.

• NMC registration
• Experience in mental health, learning disability, or neurodevelopmental nursing
• ADHD-specific training or supervised assessment experience
• Non-medical prescribing qualification (desirable, required for titration roles)

GPs with a special interest in ADHD can build capability through structured CPD and shared-care training, which supports post-diagnostic prescribing and monitoring under a shared care agreement with a specialist provider.

• GMC registration on the GP register
• CPD in ADHD diagnosis and pharmacological management
• Familiarity with NICE NG87 guidance on ADHD

Already qualified and ADHD-experienced?

We're actively recruiting psychiatrists and ADHD specialist nurses for flexible, remote sessional work.