Medical Licensing Exams after MBBS Abroad 2024 (Country Wise)

There are many opportunities abroad for students with an MBBS degree. To practice medicine in foreign countries every individual requires a medical license from the respective country. For international medical graduates, the license will be issued only when they qualify exams after MBBS to go abroad to acquire the medical license.

This Story also Contains

1. Medical Licensing Exams after MBBS Abroad 2024
2. Medical Licensing Exam in India
3. Medical Licensing Exam in USA
4. Medical Licensing Exam in United Kingdom - UKMLA Exam
5. Medical Licensing Exam in United Kingdom - PLAB Exam
6. Medical Licensing Exam in Dubai
7. Medical Licensing Exam in Australia
8. Medical Licensing Exam in Abu Dhabi
9. Medical Licensing Exam in UAE
10. Medical Licensing Exam in Bahrain
11. Medical Licensing Exam in Canada
12. Medical Licensing Exam in New Zealand
13. Medical Licensing Exam in Spain
14. Medical Licensing Exam in Korea
15. What is the Cost of Medical Licensing Exams?

What are medical licensing examinations? Every government body in a country sets its own standards in education and training to make sure they prepare safe doctors to work in their country. So, as a medical graduate, you need to appear for the medical licensing exams as they measure the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work as a doctor in the concerned country.

Each country has its own medical licensing exams. Candidates who studied MBBS abroad or in India can apply for these examinations. However, there might be some countries without medical licensing exam like Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, etc. Their MBBS abroad licensing exam eligibility 2024 and requirements differ so candidates can check these details before registration.

Indian students who completed MBBS abroad countries need to qualify for the FMGE for practising medicine back in India. In this article, all the details of the medical licensing exams in different countries are given below.

Medical Licensing Exams after MBBS Abroad 2024

Here is the list of medical licensing exams in different countries. Depending on the country you prefer, know which exam is required for you to work as a doctor abroad.

Medical Licensing Exams after MBBS Abroad

Medical Licensing Exam in India

The FMGE is a medical licensing exam in India. Any candidate who has completed MBBS from abroad should appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practice medicine in India.

The FMGE, screening test is held twice a year, in June and December, by the National Board of Examinations. Indian Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) can take this exam to get a registration certificate from either the National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Council (SMC).

The FMGE exam question paper comprises of two parts, Part A and Part B, each containing 150 questions for a total of 300 questions. The FMGE exam covers topics from the MBBS curriculum. In terms of scoring, candidates receive one mark for each correct answer, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers.

Medical Licensing Exam in USA

The USMLE is the easiest medical licensing exam in the USA. Indian students can take the United States medical licensing examination, even if they complete MBBS from abroad or in India. The USMLE is a 3 step examination. The USMLE Step 1 can be given after enrolling into the MBBS course. Many Indian students give their USMLE Step 1 after their 2nd year in MBBS.

To be eligible for the USMLE the basic requirement is to enrol or graduate from a medical school in the USA/Canada/medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools meeting the ECFMG eligibility requirements. Here ECFMG eligibility denotes that the students from the concerned college or university students are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification and examination.

Also, know that each step of the USMLE has different eligibility criteria. So make sure to meet the requirements before applying for USMLE. The USMLE is conducted by the Federation of State Medical Board (FSMB) of the United States and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).

Medical Licensing Exam in United Kingdom - UKMLA Exam

The General Medical Council introduced the MLA (Medical License Assessment Test for both UK school graduates and other qualified doctors from abroad. Previously PLAB exam was taken by abroad doctors to practice in the United Kingdom but now it is replaced with the MLA (medical licensing examination).

The MLA is a 2 step examination assessing the applied clinical knowledge, clinical professional skills, knowledge and behaviours, etc. For this test, the candidates need to prove their knowledge of English to practice medicine in the UK.

Medical Licensing Exam in United Kingdom - PLAB Exam

The full form of PLAB is a Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board. The PLAB is also a medical licensing examination in the UK conducted by the General Medical Council(GMC). Replacing the PLAB exam, the GMC recently the UK government introduced the UKMLA exam. However, International candidates can continue to take the PLAB test for the year 2024.

The PLAB exam has two parts, Plab part 1 is a written exam of 3 hours duration, whereas the part 2 is an objective structures clinical exam. After passing the two parts of PLAB, the candidates can apply for medical registration in the UK.

Medical Licensing Exam in Dubai

To work as a healthcare professional in Dubai you need the DHA medical license. For this purpose, you will be required to take the DHA medical licensing exam. The DHA exam is conducted by the Dubai Health Authority. The exam is just 2 hours long computer-based test. The application registration is just 5 working days. The exam results are graded as either pass/fail. The pass grade requires a score of at least 60 to 70% score in the test.

The minimum eligibility to take the DHA exam is completing a primary medical degree and 2 years of work experience. Then you can apply fo the DHA medical licensing exam in Dubai. The test can be reattempted up to only 3 times.

Medical Licensing Exam in Australia

If you are willing to practise medicine in Australia, then you can register with the Australian Medical Council for a medical licence. There are three to four paths for internationational graduates to practise medicine in Australia. Out of them, the standard pathway is suitable for recent MBBS graduates without any experience.

Candidates with a standard pathway can seek general registration with the Medical Board of Australia. For this pathway, the medical licensing exam in Australia includes the AMC CAT MCQ & AMC Clinical Examination.

Medical Licensing Exam in Abu Dhabi

The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) medical license exam is for individuals who want to obtain a license for practising medicine in Abu Dhabi. To enrol for the exam the basic requirements for doctors include an MBBS degree with 2 years of tier 1 experience.

The HAAD exam can be taken online from the home country India through the Pearson Authorised test centres. There are also various Doctors HAAD exam courses offered by non-DoH affiliated websites, which offer the candidate practice questions, syllabus and concepts. The registration for the license exam can be done online and results will be notified immediately after the test.

Medical Licensing Exam in UAE

The MOH exam is the standardised medical licensing exam in UAE for doctors and other health professionals. The exam is administrated by the MOH (Ministry of Health administers the exam). Candidates can apply for this doctor's licensing exam if they complete MBBS course and have at least two years of work experience. Also, he/she should not have any two-year gap in their work record. The exam is computerised and can be attempted from India itself in the authorised Prometric test centres.

Medical Licensing Exam in Bahrain

Bahrain is an Island in West Asia located among the Gulf countries Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc. The Bahrain currency is the second highest currency in the world and The country's economy is dependent on oil and gas. Many doctors travel to Bahrain to seek tax-free benefits and work-class hospitals.

The National Health Regulatory Authority conducts the Bahrain Medical Licensure Examination (BMLE) to permit licenses for health care professionals. The exam can be reattempted for upto 4times within 3 years of the period from the first attempt. Indian can take the BMLE exam through the Prometric test centres in India. Candidates need 60% to pass the BMLE exam and work as doctors in Bahrain country.

Medical Licensing Exam in Canada

The Medical Council of Canada conducts the MCCQE medical licensing exam in Canada. Indian candidates can take this MCCCQE part 1 exam to work as doctors in Canada. The exam assesses the medical knowledge and capabilities in clinical decisions of the candidate.

The MCCQE is a part of the licensing application to be eligible for a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). After qualifying for the MCCQE exam and submission of your licensing application it takes over 9 to 12 weeks to review your eligibility and issue your certificate of registration.

Medical Licensing Exam in New Zealand

The NZREX full form is the New Zealand Registration Examination. International candidates take the NZREX medical licensing exam in New Zealand if they are not eligible under any pathway for medical registration.

Securing a passing grade in the examination will show that you are able to meet the standard to register as a medical practitioner in New Zealand. You can attempt this exam many times as there is no limit on re-attempts.

Medical Licensing Exam in Spain

The MIR is the medical licensing exam in Spain country. Its full form is the “Internal Medical Resident” exam. To be eligible for the test international students must have a degree in MBBS from an accredited institute and must know Spanish language.

The MIR exam consists of 210 MCQs where 200 questions are used for evaluation and the other 10 are for reserve purposes. There is no particular topic to focus on for the MIR test as the test usually concerns medicine. The test is usually conducted between the months of January and February.

Medical Licensing Exam in Korea

To work as doctors in Korea, international candidates need to take the Korean medical licensing examination. To be eligible for the KMLE exam, Indian candidates must complete MBBS from a recognised institute with a major and already hold a medical license in India. Here, the overseas medical university recognition review will be done by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea.

The KMLE exam for doctors consists of two parts preliminary examination and national examination. After qualifying for both tests, Indian candidates can apply for licensure in Korea.

What is the Cost of Medical Licensing Exams?

The cost of a medical licensing exam after an MBBS abroad is different in every country. Here you can check the exam fees of some of the popular medical licensing exams mentioned in the table below.

Fees of Popular Medical Licensing Exams 2024