Table 1 Licensing and registration
From: Regulatory tasks of national medical associations - international comparison and the Israeli case
Legislation | Responsibility | Registration with NMA | Licensing requirements | Education | Licensing exams | Re-registration/revalidation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GERMANY | ||||||
The Medical Licensure Act (Approbationsordnung) and the 1961 Medical Practitioner’s Act (Bundesärzteordnung) | Government and NMA | Doctors must be registered to practice with the Ärztekammer (State Chamber of Physicians) of the Lander in which they wish to work. | License to practice is awarded by the State Minister of Health following the completion of the basic medical qualification which includes one year practical training. | 6+ years undergraduate medical education | Yes | Reaccreditation or re-licensing is not an official requirement in Germany. However, State Medical Associations require physicians to complete continued medical education. |
ISRAEL | ||||||
1976 Physicians’ Ordinance | Government | No requirement | Medical education plus 12 month internship, no criminal record, citizenship or permanent resident status, basic command of Hebrew, exams for foreign medical graduates. | 6 years undergraduate medical education | Only for foreign medical graduates | Permanent Licenses are issued for an indefinite period. Israel does not have mandatory re-registration or revalidation requirements. |
NETHERLANDS | ||||||
Individual Healthcare Professions Act (BIG Act) | Government | No requirement | Physicians must hold a valid diploma, be permitted to practice the profession without restrictions, pay the appropriate registration fee, and have not been placed under supervision due to a psychological disorder. | 6 years undergraduate medical education | No | Permanent licenses are subject to re-accreditation. |
UK | ||||||
Medical Act 1983 | GMC | No requirement | Physicians automatically receive a license once they are registered. In order to receive full registration physicians must submit a Certificate of Experience (completed by their medical school) displaying proof that their internship year was successfully completed. | 5 or 6 year undergraduate medical education | No | Permanent licenses are subject to revalidation (beginning December 3, 2012). |
US | ||||||
Most states have their own Medical Practice Act. | State Medical Boards | No requirement | Physicians must present proof of education and training, details of their work history, and pass a licensing examination. They must also provide information about their medical history and any arrests or convictions to their State Medical Board. | 4 years postgraduate education | Yes | In most states, physicians must periodically re-register and fulfill continuing medical education requirements |