Professional Registration of Doctors and Dentists

Each country has its own regulations and regulatory authorities with responsibility for the professional registration of medical, dental and healthcare professions. Some countries such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have single national authorities which are responsible for the registration of all professionals within the country. However some countries have federal regulatory authorites which regulate professions only within the boundaries of a state or province. Canada, USA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are examples of the latter.

The selection of the proposed work location will determine the appropriate regulatory authority.

Here are some examples:

• If you wish to work as a doctor in New Zealand, you must register with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
• If you wish to work as a doctor in Ontario Canada, you must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. 

Our recruitment experts will advise you of the appropriate regulatory authority and pathway. 

This depends upon the category of registration, with registration for the more senior and specialist positions taking longer. A thoroughly prepared application can be completed in 6-12 weeks in most jurisdictions. Delays will inevitably occur with incomplete or poorly prepared applications.

The requirements of each regulatory authority vary but in general fall into the following categories:

1. Qualifications: defined accepted qualifications
2. Experience: a minimum experience requirement
3. Current valid active professional registration in jurisdiction of place of work
4. Language: tests of English or French language proficiency IELTS, OET
5. Examinations: PLAB, USMLE, MCCQE1, AHPRA, NZREX, Prometric exams
6. Primary Source Verifications of qualifications - Data Flow or EPIC
7. Professional References

This is a report produced by an organisation recognised by professional regulatory authorities which verifies your qualifications and often professional registration and recent practice experience at primary source. Its purpose is to eliminate fraudulent applications.

Reports are produced by:

ECFMG - EPIC Report

DataFlow LLC - DataFlow Report (Middle East only)

Candidates applying for jobs in the Middle East require a DataFlow Report which can be obtained by application made on line. For instructions on how to obtain this, please read 

A Guide to the DataFlow Report for Doctors Aiming to Practise in the Middle East Gulf States

The EPIC report is the most widely accepted primary source verification report, required for professional registration of physicians in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, UK and Ireland.

Applications for this report are made on line and guidance is available in this article 

EPIC Primary Source Verifications for International Physicians