The National Medical Council plans to hold the first examination to assess medical practice capacity in March 2027, for four doctor positions.
The plan to organize tests to assess the medical practice capacity of doctors in 2027 was announced by the National Medical Council on September 4. Accordingly, the four doctor titles subject to evaluation include medical doctor, traditional medicine doctor, dental – maxillofacial – facial doctor and preventive medicine doctor.
This is the first time Vietnam has organized an exam to assess the medical examination and treatment practice capacity of doctors. Thus, doctors who are qualified to practice but have not yet completed the procedure to apply for a practice license before December 31, 2026 will have to attend and pass the competency assessment test when applying for a license from 2027.
Competency assessment aims to test the necessary professional knowledge and skills of doctors before practicing medical examination and treatment, in the context of increasing attention to requirements for quality control of practitioners.
In 2027, the Council plans to organize two examinations. The first period takes place in March, with an expected time to receive applications from January. The second period is expected to be held in December, receiving applications from September. Tests will be conducted directly on computers or tablets at locations announced by the Council when candidates register.
Depending on each position, the National Medical Council develops question formats, competency domains, lists of essential professional issues, and appropriate test structures and matrices.
Currently, the whole country has 40 health training establishments whose plans have been announced by the Council, including large schools such as Hanoi Medical University, Hai Phong Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh Medicine and Pharmacy, Pham Ngoc Thach Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Military Medical Academy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Hue University, University of Health Sciences – Ho Chi Minh City National University, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy… Some multidisciplinary universities also train health majors, such as the University of Health Sciences. Hanoi School of Business and Technology, Dai Nam University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology…
Doctors at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital examine people. Image: Quynh Tran
The representative of the National Medical Council said that testing is a new regulation in the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. Accordingly, the National Medical Council will conduct an examination and assessment of the capacity to practice medical examination and treatment for the title of doctor to supplement the basis for granting practice licenses.
In the next plan, the positions of physicians, nurses, and midwives will be evaluated from 2028. The remaining positions include medical technicians, clinical nutritionists, outpatient paramedics, and clinical psychologists from 2029.
The implementation of testing and assessment of practice capacity is to ensure the quality of medical human resources and objectively assess the capacity of practitioners before being granted a practice license according to the provisions of law.