INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES

This page is to assist international(foreign) healthcare graduates who are considering applying for registration in South Africa.

Who can apply for registration?

What steps should I follow?

A practitioner who obtained his/her basic qualification outside South Africa will initially have to apply for registration in the category Public Service (General Practitioner). After registration in the category Public Service (General Practitioner) for a minimum period of five years such practitioner may apply to the Board to sit the final university examination in order to comply with the requirements for registration in the category Independent Practice.

How to Register in the Category Public Service (General Practitioner)

How to Register in the Category Independent Practice (General Practitioner)

a. Only applicants who held registration in the category Public Service (General Practitioner) will be considered for registration in the category Independent Practice (General Practitioner). Such applicants are required to apply to the Board for approval to sit the examination for independent practice. Upon successful completion of the university examination, an applicant will have to submit an application to register in the category independent practice. Such application should further be supported by the Foreign Workforce Management Programme of the National Department of Health.

b. Examinations at the EXIT level of the final South African University examination in medicine/dentistry and a medico-legal and ethical assessment will take place in October/November annually as determined by the University in South Africa.

c. The applicant should apply to the University of his/her choice.  Applicants have to apply on their own behalf by –

• submitting the letter of approval issued by the Board; and
• paying the examination fee as determined by the University.

d. The number of applicants to be accommodated for an examination will be decided upon by each Faculty and applicants must meet the requirements set by the Faculty.

e. Applicants are required to pass examinations in all relevant subjects. The results of the examination in all subjects will thereafter be submitted to the Examinations Committee of the Board for a final ruling on the registration of each applicant.

f. Should the applicant PASS the examination, a Certificate of Competence will be issued to him/her and he/she may proceed to apply for registration as a medical practitioner or dentist in Independent Practice;

g. Should an applicant fail the examination, he or she may –

• be afforded an opportunity to have his competency re-assessed in a future examination;
• be afforded an opportunity to be re-assessed only once.

h. If an applicant fails the examination twice, the Examinations Committee of the Board may in its discretion and in cases of special merit only decide to advise the applicant to contact a University of choice to be accommodated for the required additional education and training.

How to Register in the Category Education

a. Applications for such registration must first be submitted by the Head of the relevant Department and the Dean of a University/research institution. Such application should further be supported by the Foreign Workforce Management Programme of the National Department of Health.

b. Applications must be accompanied by –

1. proof of the applicant holding an appropriate qualification in medicine/dentistry in the country of origin (attach a copy of degree certificate certified by a Notary Public and (if applicable) a sworn translation thereof in English);
2. verification of credentials by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates: International Credentials Services (to be obtained by the applicant at own cost) (see separate application form - applicable to medicine only);
3. a recent original Certificate of Status (Certificate of Good Standing) issued by the foreign Registration Authority;
4. a recommendation on the applicant’s registrability submitted by the Head of the relevant Department and the Dean of a University/research institution based on –
• the institution’s assessment of the applicant’s curriculum vitae;
• an assessment of his/her abilities to practise successfully in South Africa as an educator/trainer/researcher;
• the applicant having complied with all the requirements of the institution for employment as an educator/trainer/researcher;
5. the application form for registration, duly completed;
6. the prescribed registration fee of R995.00

Please note that persons with registration in the category Education are only permitted to practice in accordance with their appointment at the relevant educational institution. Such registration does not provide for independent or private practice.

How to Register in the Category Postgraduate Study/Exchange Registrars

a. Applications for such registration should be submitted by the Dean of the School of Medicine/Dentistry/Health Sciences of a South African university. This category is intended to build capacity and on completion of their study programme, these students are required to return to their country of origin. Registration in this category is limited to unpaid positions only. Such application should further be supported by the Foreign Workforce Management Programme of the National Department of Health.

b. Applications must be accompanied by –

1. proof of the applicant holding at least a basic qualification in medicine/dentistry in the country of origin (attach a copy of degree certificate certified by a Notary Public and a sworn translation thereof in English);
2. a letter submitted by the Dean of the School of Medicine/Dentistry/Health Sciences of a South African university confirming that the applicant would be appointed in a supernumerary post as well as a recommendation for registration in the said category by the university specifying -
• the nature of the proposed study;
• the level of such study;
• the expected duration of the proposed study;
3. a letter issued by the Department of Health confirming that all requirements and contractual arrangements had been complied with to permit the applicant to undergo the proposed postgraduate study in South Africa and that the applicant had agreed in writing that he or she would not on completion of his or her education and training as a specialist, apply for registration as a specialist in South Africa;
4. a recent original Certificate of Status (Certificate of Good Standing) issued by the foreign Registration Authority;
5. the attached application form for registration, duly completed;
6. the prescribed registration fee of R995.00

c. This registration is limited to a specific university.

d. The scope of the postgraduate study is as specified, including clinical duties, while holding a supernumerary post for postgraduate study.

e. Registration in this category is possible for –

1. specialist courses (University degrees and Fellowships) on the basis of a contract with the Department of Health;
2. courses in Family Medicine (supernumerary posts will not be provided in private practice situations);
3. registration of exchange registrars in terms of section 30 of the Act.

f. Education and training undertaken in a supernumerary post will not be recognised for registration of such practitioner in South Africa. In order to qualify for registration as a specialist in South Africa, an applicant has to obtain registration in independent practice followed by the prescribed specialist training in an approved Registrar post in South Africa.

How to Register as a Medical Practitioner/Dentist in the Category Public Service (Specialist)

a. Registration in the Category Public Service (Specialist) is possible only for persons who hold foreign specialist education, training and qualifications.

b. An applicant may apply to the Board for registration by submitting the attached application form, duly completed together with –

1. proof of holding a foreign specialist qualification in a speciality recognised by the Board by attaching a copy of degree certificate certified by a Notary Public and a sworn translation thereof in English;
• the qualification was accredited or recognised in the country of origin;
•  the standard of the qualification was acceptable to the Registration or other relevant Authority in the country of origin;
• the applicant’s education and training time complied with the minimum requirements in the country of origin
2. a certificate issued by the foreign university or other educational institution to confirm that -
3. information on the nature and duration of such specialist education and training;
4. proof of having held registration as a medical practitioner/dentist/specialist in the country of origin;

c. Upon submission of the required information the application will be submitted to the relevant Subcommittee of the Board and, if approved, permission may be granted to the applicant to sit for the examination referred to in section 35(1B) of the Act which examination shall be conducted by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.

d. Once proof of having passed the section 35(1B) examination conducted by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa is received an application for registration as a medical practitioner/dentist in the Category Public Service (Specialist) (Form 21), duly completed, should be submitted together with the prescribed registration fee –

1. for registration as a specialist;
2. for registration of the relevant foreign qualification as an additional qualification;

a. The scope of practice of such practitioner will be confined to the registered speciality ONLY.  The locality of practice shall be unrestricted in the public service while the continuation of registration shall be subject to CPD requirements and professional conduct.

How to Register as a Medical Practitioner/Dentist in the Category Independent Practice (Specialist)

a. Registration in the category Independent Practice (Specialist) is possible only for persons who hold foreign specialist education, training and qualifications subject thereto that the applicant complies with the requirements for registration in the category Independent Practice (General Practitioner) (regulation 2(5) of the Regulations published as Government Notice No. R. 1203 of 28 November 2000). The application should further be supported by the Foreign Workforce Management Programme of the National Department of Health.

b. An applicant may apply to the Board for registration by submitting –

1. proof of holding a specialist qualification in a speciality recognised by the Board in terms of Act No. 56 of 1974 (attach a copy of degree certificate certified by a Notary Public and a sworn translation thereof in English);
2. a certificate issued by the foreign university or other educational institution to confirm that -
• the qualification was accredited or recognised in the country of origin;
• the standard of the qualification was acceptable to the Registration or other relevant Authority in the country of origin;
• the applicant’s education and training time complied with the minimum requirements in the country of origin.
3. information on the nature and duration of such specialist education and training;
4. proof of having held registration as a medical practitioner/dentist/specialist in the country of origin;
5. proof of compliance with the requirements for registration in the Category Independent Practice in South Africa;
6. an application for registration as a medical practitioner/dentist in the Category Independent Practice (Specialist) (Form 21), duly completed;
7. the prescribed registration fee –
• for registration as a specialist;
• for registration of the relevant foreign qualification as an additional qualification.

c. Upon submission of the required information, the application will be submitted to the relevant Subcommittee of the Board. In the discretion of the Committee an applicant may be required
to –

1. submit proof of having obtained a South African specialist qualification in a recognised speciality (usually a Fellowship in the relevant speciality awarded by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa); OR
2. submit proof of having completed a period of specialist education and training required by the Subcommittee as holder of an approved Registrar post and having held registration as a Registrar for such period.

d. The scope of practice of such practitioner will be confined to the registered speciality ONLY.  The locality of practice shall be unrestricted, while the continuation of registration shall be subject to CPD requirements and the requirements of professional conduct.

How to Register as a Medical Practitioner/Dentist in the Category Military Service

a. An application for such registration should be submitted by the Surgeon-General of the South African Defence Force. The application should further be supported by the Foreign Workforce Management Programme of the National Department of Health.

b. The application must be accompanied by –

1. proof of the relevant practitioner holding an appropriate qualification in medicine or dentistry in the country of origin (attach a copy of degree certificate certified by a Notary Public and a sworn translation thereof in English);
2. a recent original Certificate of Status (Certificate of Good Standing) issued by foreign Registration Authority;
3. a recommendation for registration issued by the Surgeon-General based on –
• the Surgeon-General’s assessment of the practitioner’s curriculum vitae;
• an assessment of the practitioner’s abilities to practise successfully in South Africa;
• the period for which the practitioner will require such registration;
4. the attached application for registration, duly completed;
5. the prescribed registration fee of R995.00

How to Register as a Medical Practitioner/Dentist in the Category Volunteer Services

a. An application for such registration must be submitted by the relevant South African Health Care Provider Agency, approved by the Board.

b. The application must be accompanied by –

1. proof of the relevant practitioner holding an appropriate qualification in medicine or dentistry in the country of origin (attach a copy of degree certificate certified by a Notary Public and a sworn translation thereof into English);
2. a recent original Certificate of Status (Certificate of Good Standing) issued by foreign Registration Authority;
3. a recommendation for registration by the South African Health Care Provider Agency based on –
• the Agency’s assessment of the practitioner’s curriculum vitae;
• an assessment of the practitioner’s abilities to practise successfully in South Africa;
• the period for which the practitioner will require such registration;
• an undertaking by the South African Health Care Provider Agency to supervise the practitioner during the said period of registration;
4. an affidavit, issued by the South African Health Care Provider Agency confirming that the applicant would only be employed as a volunteer for the duration of such registration without being remunerated.
5. The attached application for registration in the Category Volunteer Services, duly completed.
6. The prescribed registration fee of R63.00.

c. Registration in the category Volunteer Services will be for an initial period of one year only. Such registration could, however, be extended by the Examinations Committee of the Board on a year-to-year basis for a further period of one year.

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Kindly further note the following important issues:

a. Applications for registration in the category Public Service (General Practitioner) will only be considered from persons who have successfully completed a recognised intern training programme.

b. Intern training in South Africa is dependant on employment as an intern by the Department of Health. The Department has indicated that only in exceptional cases foreign graduates will be considered for intern training in South Africa, with the exception of persons from those SADC countries which do not have accredited facilities for intern training. Applications for exemption from this policy should be directed to The Programme Manager, Department of Health, Room 1123, Fedlife Building, National Department of Health, Private Bag X828, Pretoria, 0001, RSA (e-mail: HumanI@health.gov.za or Aboob@health.gov.za).

Note:  If, therefore, you have not completed an accredited intern training programme, you will not qualify for registration with the HPCSA unless you apply for internship allocation and secure a written job offer to that effect from the Department of Health.

c. In order to obtain registration in the category Independent Practice (requirements for which are specified in the attachment) such persons are required to –

• serve in public service with no minimum period ;
• apply to the Board to sit the final university examination conducted by a recognized South African university;
• if agreed to by the Board, pass the final university examination; and
• register in the category independent practice.

Guidelines for applications, Board Examinations and information regarding registration of medical practitioners and dentists in other categories are contained in the attachment.

In order to avoid delays in the processing of your application all the documents, correctly certified as per the requirements of the Board should be submitted preferably in one batch. Applications submitted by facsimile (fax) will not be entertained. All documentation required by the Board should be submitted in English. Only original translations of the required documents done by a sworn translator and duly sealed and notarised will be accepted. In addition to such English translations, legible copies of the original documents, certified and duly sealed by a Notary Public should be submitted.

It should further be noted that separate applications should be prepared and submitted to the Health Professions Council of South Africa, Department of Health and the ECFMG.

Should you require any further information, please feel free to write to the Board or the National Department of Health.