In the United Kingdom, a staff grade doctor or dentist (now called SAS grades) is one who is appointed to a permanent position. Since 2008 this grade was closed and new appointees were called as specialty doctors/dentists. They will have been appointed into this position based on experience and their CV and not all doctors will have done post-graduate examinations to reach this position. In the past, staff grades could be promoted to Associate Specialists after several years of service and development by either interview and/or personal promotion. They may also apply to take up consultant posts through the GMC CESR route, or the GDC mediated entry route, which allows them to be registered on the specialist register after assessment of their experience. In order for a doctor to work as a SA