Many graduates from foreign universities seek to evaluate their medical degrees. Due to insufficient information regarding accredited universities and the declared requirements for degree evaluation, they encounter significant challenges. Given the increasing number of applicants pursuing medical studies abroad and their subsequent return for degree evaluation, delays caused by a lack of knowledge of regulations and accredited universities can lead to applicant dissatisfaction. It is crucial for all individuals planning to pursue medical studies abroad to obtain the necessary information from relevant authorities before their departure or commencement of studies.
This comprehensive article details the conditions, regulations, required documents, procedures, and essential points in the process of evaluating foreign degrees by the Ministry of Health. Its purpose is to provide accurate guidance and information to applicants, ensuring they can navigate the evaluation process effectively with full knowledge of the rules.
Reference: Regulations of the Ministry of Health for Foreign Graduates
General Criteria for Medical Degree Evaluation
- Evaluation of foreign medical degrees is based on the following principles:
- Accreditation of the University: The university where the degree was obtained must be recognized.
- Specifications and Acquisition of General Medical Degree: Details and method of obtaining the general medical degree.
- Passing Evaluation Exams in Iran: Successful completion of the required evaluation examinations in Iran.
- Minimum 80% Matching of Study Duration: At least 80% matching of the duration of foreign studies with the domestic study period (minimum six years for general medicine doctorate in Iran, with two years of basic sciences and four years of clinical studies, and at least eighteen months of internship).
- Minimum 80% Content Matching: At least 80% match in the content of specialized courses between foreign and domestic curricula.
The documents are initially reviewed by experts and, if approved, are referred to the General Medical Degree Evaluation Commission. After review and approval, further steps are taken, followed by another commission review for final decision-making.
Which Universities Are Approved by the Ministry of Health?
The Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education releases and updates its list of accredited universities every two years. Before starting your studies, you can verify your university’s accreditation through this list.
University accreditation is important only for your enrollment year. If your university is approved when you enroll but later removed from the list, it will not affect your degree evaluation. However, if your university is not approved in your enrollment year but is approved later, it will not positively impact your degree evaluation.
Some universities require a college or pre-medical course before formal enrollment. This is not considered formal university education, but if the university is approved during this period and later removed from the list, you can continue your studies without concern for degree evaluation.
General Conditions for Evaluating Foreign Medical Degrees
The general conditions for evaluating foreign medical degrees by the Ministry of Health are:
- The university must be accredited by the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education.
- The study duration must not exceed the allowed limit.
- The educational content and credits must meet the Ministry’s standards.
- The type of examination for obtaining the degree must be approved.
- A high school diploma or pre-university certificate must be obtained before university enrollment.
General Medicine
Evaluation criteria:
- Accreditation of the university based on legal standards.
- Study duration and curriculum content.
- Type of examinations leading to the degree.
- Passing required domestic examinations in Iran.
- Minimum six years of study for general medicine doctorate (two years of basic sciences and four years of clinical studies).
- minimum 18 months of internship.
Medical Specialties
- Approved general medicine doctorate from the Ministry of Health.
- Enrollment in an accredited university.
- Minimum 80% match in study duration.
- Minimum 80% content match.
- Applicants status during specialty training must be clinical fellow only.
- Specification and method of obtaining specialty certificate. Research, observer, and visiting fellow programs are not evaluated.
- Passing evaluation exams.
- After commission review and approval, graduates are referred to the national specialty exam, which includes:
- Referral to three centers for scientific, practical, and clinical evaluation.
- Passing the specialty certificate or board exam.
- Failure in the practical and clinical evaluation disqualifies candidates from the board exam. Passing both exams allows practice only as a general physician, with no specialty training considered for domestic universities.
- Important: Evaluation of specialty degrees requires prior evaluation and approval of the general medicine doctorate, with submission of a graduation certificate.
Medical Subspecialties
- Approved specialty board certificate.
- Minimum 80% match in study duration.
- Minimum 80% content match.
- Accreditation of the university.
- applicants status during subspecialty training must be clinical fellow only.
- Specification and method of obtaining subspecialty degree. Research, observer, and visiting fellow programs are not evaluated.
- Passing evaluation exams.
After document evaluation and approval, graduates can take the subspecialty board exam. Passing this exam certifies the subspecialty. If needed, documents are referred for scientific and practical evaluation by the subspecialty board. Board approval allows participation in the subspecialty board exam. Failure in the board exam results in no subspecialty certification.
Subspecialty degree holders from American and Canadian boards are exempt from these exams; their degrees are recognized without examination.
Important: Evaluation of subspecialty degrees requires prior evaluation and approval of the specialty degree (board certificate), with submission of a graduation certificate.
Medical Fellowship
- Accreditation of the university and training center.
- Relevance of the fellowship to the previous specialty.
- Study duration and curriculum content.
- Applicant’s role during the fellowship.
- Important: Evaluation of fellowship degrees requires prior evaluation and approval of the specialty degree (board certificate). The minimum acceptable fellowship duration is 12 months of full-time training.
Dentistry
Evaluation criteria:
- Accreditation of the university.
- Full high school diploma.
- Admission requirements for general dentistry.
- Study duration and curriculum content.
Dental Specialties
- Accreditation of the university
- Study duration, curriculum content, and applicant’s role
- Admission requirements for dental specialties
Important: Evaluation of dental specialty degrees requires prior evaluation and approval of the general dentistry doctorate, with submission of a graduation certificate.
Pharmacy
General evaluation criteria follow the same standards as general medicine.
Required Documents for Medical Degree Evaluation
Required documents for general and specialty medical degrees:
- Student file
- Original foreign degree with verified authenticity
- Copy of the original specialty degree
- Original certified transcripts
- copy of the transcripts
- Original certified certificate of study duration and curriculum
- Original certified certificate of title or position during studies
- Original thesis and two-page summary
- Original and copy of certified specialty admission certificate
- University catalog
- Copies of all ID pages and military service card (for males)
- Original and copy of any former degrees from Iran or other countries
General Evaluation Regulations
The medical degree evaluation system is available at (https://mohed.behdasht.gov.ir/Assessment).
- Applicants must provide a notarized commitment before application.
- Evaluation fees are listed on the website. Payment instructions are also on the website.
- Domestic high school and pre-university diplomas must be verified through (Emt.medu.ir).
- All foriegn documents must be verified through Mikhak.maf.gov.ir.
- Evaluation criteria are based on Supreme Evaluation Council regulations.
- Approved universities are those recognized by the Ministry of Health.
- The latest list of approved universities is available on (edd.behdasht.gov.ir).
- Correspondence and online education are invalid.
- Evaluation is based on formal domestic degree standards.
- Students who began their studies abroad after 2019, must complete their studies within the designated time frame.
- Foreign nationals must first obtain a referral letter from the Human Resources Department before applying.
