NCHD funding
TSS and CCERS: funding for NCHDs
NCHDs in HSE-funded posts have two main educational funding schemes. They work very differently, so it pays to claim each item under the right one.
Training Support Scheme (TSS)
The TSS is an annual allowance for exams, courses, conferences and other supports that meet its eligibility criteria. It is in addition to other funding schemes.
- Who: NCHDs holding a current HSE NCHD contract for at least 12 weeks and working in an HSE-funded post (pro-rata for shorter or less than full-time contracts).
- How much (per training year): intern €1,250; SHO or registrar €1,750; SpR, GP registrar or psychiatry SR on a training scheme €2,500.
- How: claims are made after the event in the TSS section of your NER (National Employment Record) account, with receipts and proof of attendance, and are approved by your employer’s Medical Manpower Department.
The TSS covers revision courses, mock exams and question banks for TSS- and CCERS-eligible exams, such as the MICGP exams you sit during GP training. The SJT and CPST are a selection assessment for entry to training. The policy doesn’t list preparation for them, and it excludes interview prep courses and training scheme application fees.
Please don’t buy any SJT or CPST resource, including GPTestPro, expecting a TSS refund. Your Medical Manpower Department decides on each claim, so ask them first. Our full TSS guide covers eligibility, what you can claim and how to claim on NER.
Clinical Course and Exam Refund Scheme (CCERS)
CCERS refunds the full cost of exams and courses on an HSE-approved list, and only after you pass. Unsuccessful attempts are not refunded through CCERS, though they may be claimable through the TSS. Apply in the CCERS section of NER within six months of the exam or course.
The general practice items on the CCERS list are the MICGP membership examinations (the Core Knowledge Test and Clinical Competency Tests), which GP trainees sit during training. The SJT/CPST application fee and exam preparation resources, including GPTestPro, are not on the CCERS list. Read our full CCERS guide.
Quick comparison
| TSS | CCERS | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Exams, courses, conferences and other supports meeting the TSS criteria | Only exams and courses on the approved list |
| When you claim | After the event, by the end of the training year | After passing, within six months |
| Exam prep resources | Question banks and mocks for TSS- and CCERS-eligible exams (e.g. MICGP). SJT/CPST prep is not listed | Not eligible |
| Amount | Annual allowance by grade | Full cost of the approved item |
Sources: HSE National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP) TSS guidance document and CCERS guidance document, both effective 13 July 2026, and medicalcareers.ie. Policies change, so always check the current versions before you claim. This page is general information, not financial advice.