Can I practice medicine in another country with a US degree?

Asked by: Doris Kirlin  |  Last update: November 16, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (56 votes)

A handful of countries accept American medical credentials and training. Typically, they require the physician to have attended an allopathic or osteopathic school recognized by the World Directory of Medical Schools and to have board certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Which countries accept US trained doctors?

Foreign Countries Where the USMLE is Accepted
  • Australia. If you would like to register with the Medical Board of Australia as an IMG, you'll need to take the Competent Authority pathway. ...
  • Ireland. ...
  • Israel. ...
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE) ...
  • Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) ...
  • New Zealand. ...
  • Qatar. ...
  • United Kingdom.

Can you practice medicine with a degree from another country?

Any foreign doctor who wants to practice medicine in the United States must first: Pass the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Obtain ECFMG certification. Enter a fellowship or residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

Where can US doctors work abroad?

It's possible to combine both of these dreams while you continue to practice medicine: international Locum Tenens assignments allow physicians from the U.S. to practice in places as far reaching as Guam, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or Canada.

Is a US medical degree valid in Europe?

Yes, American MDs are recognized in EU (European Union). Getting EU citizenship (you get it directly if you get a citizenship of any member state - marriage) would definitely help you, with it you are allowed to work in any EU member state.

How To Become a Doctor in USA | The 3 Pathways

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Can a US MD practice in Italy?

There are 3 steps to having your US medical credentials recognized in Italy. First, you need to have your non-EU medical degree recognized; second, you need to pass the “National Exam”, or Esame Di Stato, to obtain your official Italian medical license; and third, you will need to have your specialty recognized.

Is US medical degree valid in Germany?

If you completed your education and training as a doctor abroad, you will require an official licence (Approbation) in order to work in your profession in Germany. Without this licence, you may not be able to treat patients as an on-duty doctor in Germany.

Can you become a doctor outside the US?

You'll need a valid passport, work visa, evidence of your medical education and training along with references, a physical exam and updated vaccinations. Consider that salaries overseas may be much lower than those earned in the United States because of the different ways countries manage healthcare for the population.

Can you practice medicine in the UK with a US degree?

Doctors qualifying from outside the UK may be eligible to apply directly for full registration if they hold an acceptable primary medical qualification and have completed a period of postgraduate clinical experience (internship). A doctor will need to provide documentary evidence to support their application.

Can a US doctor work in France?

As a rule, only doctors possessing French or European medical qualifications are authorized to practice medicine in France.

Can US doctors practice in Japan?

Doctors who are from the U.S., the U.K., France, and Singapore can practice in Japan without a Japanese medical license. But their country must have an agreement with Japan and these doctors can only see a patient from their home country, not foreign ones or Japanese patients.

Can a US trained doctor work in Canada?

Depending on the province, US trained physicians may need to obtain a provisional license allowing them to practice medicine in their specialty with clinical supervision for 12-18 months. The supervisor should hold a full license in your specialty and will review a handful of your clinical cases on a monthly basis.

Can American doctors practice in Switzerland?

FAQs. Can foreign doctors work in Switzerland? Yes. Foreign qualifications must be recognized by law in Switzerland for various professions.

Are US trained doctors better?

Patients who saw a foreign-trained doctor had a slightly lower rate of death (11.2%) compared to patients of U.S. medical graduates (11.6%). That difference may sound small, but the authors point out that if the care were equal, one person's life would be saved out of every 250 patients.

How do I become a doctor in Europe from the US?

If you are a foreign doctor interested in practicing medicine in the US, then you'll need to prepare to pass the US Medical Licensing Exams, get certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign-Trained Medical Graduates, enroll in a residency program, and then take a third licensing test.

How many US doctors are foreign-trained?

Consider some statistics: In 2021, approximately 1 in 5 active U.S. physicians were born and attended medical school outside the United States or Canada.

Is it easier to become a doctor in UK or USA?

The US and the UK both have excellent medical school programs. While they differ a bit in structure, the time it takes to become a doctor is similar in either country.

What is the salary of a doctor in the United States?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a medical doctor in the U.S. is $1,65,347 (around INR 13 million) per year. The highest average annual wage was $208,000 (Around INR 17 million) which went up from the lowest of $126,470 (Around INR 10 million).

Is it better to be a doctor in the US or Canada?

The additional burden of medical documentation and paperwork in the US can be significant versus the Canadian system, and Canadian doctors are happier and report less burnout over all. Canadian doctors report better work life balance and more satisfaction with the medical system in general.

Can a US doctor practice in Australia?

International medical graduates (IMGs) who wish to practice as a medical practitioner in Australia must have their overseas medical qualifications verified by relevant authorities before they will be permitted to practice.

Can a US doctor practice in Mexico?

You can be doctor in Mexico if you have licence to practice M.D. in Mexico. And being a citizen of both countries doesn't really matter, you would need a licence to practice in the U.S. and in Mexico, as they are different countries and their policies are different.

How much do doctors make outside the US?

1. On average, physicians in the U.S. earned the most ($316,000) per year, followed by Germany ($183,000) and the U.K. ($138,000). Physicians in Mexico earned the least at $12,000.

Are US degrees recognized in Germany?

If you have already obtained a school or vocational qualification (in your homeland or elsewhere outside Germany), you can have it recognised in Germany. In the recognition process, your degree is compared with a similar German degree.

Can I work in Germany with a US degree?

Degrees earned abroad must be officially recognised in Germany. Skilled workers with professional training must have completed an officially recognised professional training programme, which according to German law must be at least two years in length.

What is the average salary of a doctor in Germany?

There are many factors involved when determining your exact monthly income as a German medical doctor. A German physician typically earns around 8,960 EUROs per month. Salaries start at 3,290 EUROs and reach 15,100 EUROs.