Sunday, March 31, 2024
Paris, France

MedEx is the ‘can’t miss’ event for medical professionals considering Aliyah!

The Israeli medical license transfer process is coming to you

This unique event provides medical professionals with the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Health Licensing Division, the Israeli Medical Association (IMA), Israeli health funds (Kupot Cholim) and hospitals. The certification of your documents can only be done in person.  This is the only chance you’ll get to begin the process of transferring your medical license and interview for a job in your field – all under one roof!

The NBN MedEx is an essential event for medical professionals considering Aliyah.

Jump Start Your License

Expedite the process of transferring your license and save up to six months of time, money and stress

Job Fair

Land a job before landing in Israel.  Israel health & Medical institutions will interview relevant candidates.

Specialty Recognition

Physicians can meet with the Israeli Medical Association to begin the process of specialty recognition.

Notarize your documents

An Israeli notary will verify your documentation on site.  Bring a full set of copies of your documents!

In addition to copies of your documents, you must bring ALL ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS with you to MedEx!

Required Documents For Transferring a Medical License

The MedEx licensing appointments are available for medical professionals planning to make Aliyah in 2024 or 2025. If you have any questions, email [email protected]

Please refer to the official Israeli Ministry of Health website for information about transferring your license. Refer to the green buttons below for profession-specific requirements.

Each page includes a detailed list of documentation that must be presented in order to receive licensing approval.

Documents to Bring

Professionals who would like to present their documents at the MedEx must bring their:

1. Original documents (to present)
2. Photocopies of original documents (to submit)
3. Your passport (hard copy plus a copy, for the notary to identify you)

It is extremely important to prepare your documentation in advance, and we are here to help! Let us know if you are unsure about a particular requirement or have questions that comes up as you prepare for your meeting with the representative from the Ministry of Health. The NBN website has additional information about transferring your license and practicing in Israel.

This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. If you are unable to attend MedEx, please refer back to the full licensing requirements including notarization of your documents. Original documents which are presented at the MedEx do not require additional notarization.

Required Documents for Specialty Recognition (Physicians)

The Scientific Council of the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) will be joining us at the 2023 MedEx (read more about the IMA here). They will be present to introduce potential physician Olim to the Israeli medical system and provide detailed and technical information about the process of working in Israel. Additionally and critically, they will be assisting physicians with the process of having their medical specialty recognized in Israel, before they make Aliyah.

CLICK HERE for the list of required documentation needed to have a specialty certification recognized in Israel (please note that many of the required documents are duplicates of the documents required for converting a medical license with the Israeli Ministry of Health).

General Conference Questions

The process will take some time, possibly even a few months. If you are looking to start working as soon as possible, you should begin the process now before you make Aliyah. In addition, once in Israel, you will have to travel from office to office and NOT have the opportunity to have it all done under one roof. MedEx is the only place in the world where you have the opportunity to do this all in one place!

MedEx happens only once a year in the Spring. The next opportunity will be Spring of 2025.

The MedEx licensing appointments are available for medical professionals planning to make Aliyah in 2024 or 2025 but all medical professionals considering Aliyah at any point are welcome to attend. If you have questions, email [email protected].

Only you can make that decision. However, last year, Olim from 19 states and Canada flew in just to attend MedEx and we believe that it was well worth it! MedEx licensing conference will save you time, money, and a lot of headaches!

Only you can make that decision. However, last year, Olim from 19 states and Canada flew in just to attend MedEx and we believe that it was well worth it! MedEx licensing conference will save you time, money, and a lot of headaches!

If your spouse/friend/child is unable to attend, you may present documentation on their behalf at the MedEx, though it is, of course, recommended that they attend. Please bring a signed affidavit that you have permission to present their documentation on their behalf. Obviously, the job fair will not be relevant if you are representing someone else.

This depends on each individual. But if you have an appointment with the Ministry of Health and plan to make the most of the fair, you should plan to be there for 2-3 hours. If you are planning to just come for your meeting you should be there for approximately one hour.

Absolutely! You should also have it ready on a thumb drive or folder, so you can send it via email. Furthermore, in the weeks prior to the MedEx, you’ll have the opportunity to send your CV directly to employers who will have representatives attending the event.

Yes! There will be a full complement of Nefesh B’Nefesh staff on hand to answer any of your questions. Feel free to approach any of the NBN staff present and they’ll make sure your questions are answered.

MedEx is free to attend. There is a cost to use the notary services. One of the major reasons to attend MedEx is to take advantage of authentication services provided, on-site, by an Israeli notary. The cost will be a flat fee of $300 payable by check, Zelle, or cash directly to the notary service. Click here to understand what documents need notarization. Reimbursement may be available through Misrad Haklita, and the details will be provided at MedEx.

One of the best things about the MedEx is the ability to sit one-on-one with Ministry of Health officials. Please be prepared to review your documentation, ask questions, and gain an understanding of what’s needed to complete the process.

Yes, there is.

Please contact us at [email protected] to get the details.

Yes, there will be some light kosher refreshments at MedEx.

Specific field questions

Please make sure you schedule a licensing appointment. You will automatically be booked to meet with officials from both the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Israeli Medical Association (IMA), both of which are required.

If you passed your USMLEs Step 2(ck) you are entitled to apply for a medical license at MedEx, please follow the instructions provided for physicians. We recommend speaking with the IMA representatives on how to move forward with your residency in Israel. Please note that there may be grant opportunities available should you pursue a residency in Israel. Please speak with us at the MedEx or email us at [email protected].

Yes, you should attend MedEx if you are interested in applying for your Israeli medical license. While some government hospitals and Kupot Cholim may be unable to hire you past retirement age, there are other opportunities that are available to you.

It’s important to understand that part of the process of applying for an Israeli medical license is to make sure that you meet the same requirements as your Israeli peers in the same field or specialty. This would be the same case if you were applying for a foreign license in other countries as well. We are happy to help you understand any additional requirements requested of you and to help you navigate the system, both during and after MedEx by contacting us at [email protected].

Please see the list of documents listed here and pay special attention to the form that needs to be completed by your nursing school.

You can see the full list of professions relevant to the MedEx here. If your profession is not listed and you would like guidance on how to practice in Israel, please reach out to [email protected].

You must complete the process for recognition as an RN first, then work for a period of time as a nurse after which you may submit a request for recognition as an NP. At MedEx, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your situation and credentials with an official from the Ministry of Health’s Nursing Division and make an individual plan for you to move forward with your licensing.

The specific exam that you require is held twice a year, on specific dates. There are strict deadlines for each exam date. So, make sure to sign up on time.

Specialty recognition (relevant for physicians only)

It’s similar to your medical license and your board certification. In Israel, you’ll have your Israeli medical license (approved by the Ministry of Health) and your specialty recognition (approved by the Israeli Medical Association).

A Hatama – or as formerly called Histaklut – is an orientation/on-boarding period for doctors whereby you’ll mainly work in your specialty under supervision, usually in a hospital setting. It’s to your benefit to make the most of this time period, whether it’s learning cultural differences or how the computer and referral systems work. Please note that it’s incumbent on you to find a recognized location that will accept you for this time period.

Misrad Haklita (the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration) set up a fund (קרן קליטה, Klita fund) to subsidize hospitals for the salaries of Olim doctors throughout their Hatama period. Please note: Misrad Haklita pays minimum wage ONLY (5572 NIS per month) and you can certainly negotiate a supplement, especially if your Hatama is conducted in the hospital in which you are expected to work. Discuss this with the HR liaison at the hospital in which you are going to work. Please contact us at [email protected] if you encounter any problems with this.

Documents questions

YES!

No. If your official documents are in English, they do not need to be translated.

Yes! One of the major reasons to attend MedEx is to take advantage of authentication services provided, on-site, by an Israeli notary. The cost will be a flat fee of $300 payable by check, Zelle, or cash directly to the notary service. Click here to understand what documents need notarization. Reimbursement may be available through Misrad Haklita, and the details will be provided at MedEx.

Please make sure you review the documentation requirements for your field ahead of MedEx and come prepared. If you do not come with all of your documents, please speak with our staff at MedEx or at another time to see how best to move forward. You can follow up by emailing us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Having an Israeli medical license gives you better employment options, and the ability to legally identify yourself as an Israeli licensed member of your field. Even if you are thinking of pivoting, to working in the biotech sector, for example – we encourage you to apply for your Israeli medical license.

Please bring an official letter from your school indicating that you’ll receive your diploma (with the anticipated graduation date) or a letter stating when you expect to fulfill your requirements to graduate. You’ll then be required to submit your diploma at a later date.

Professional Integrity Certificate (also known as a letter of good standing) is issued by the competent authorities from the applicant’s state of origin, confirming that there were no disciplinary, malpractice, or medical ethics complaints against the applicant. This letter must be mailed directly from the medical board of the state, in which you are licensed, to the Israeli ministry of Health. Another option is to have it mailed to your home address. However, you must keep it in its sealed envelope and submit it with the rest of your documents. In these two scenarios, no verification is needed. If your medical board will only do it by email, please contact us at [email protected].

Don’t give anyone your original documents! You’ll need to BRING your original documents for presentation and notary authentication, but you should keep them in your possession!

If you are a nurse or psychologist, you’ll need to have your degree recognized by the Ministry of Education. Click here for more information. You can only complete this process as you get closer to your Aliyah date, or after you make Aliyah. This should not delay any other document processing toward your Israeli medical license. Should you have any questions about this process, please reach out to our specialist, Shlomit Ben-Michael, at [email protected].

Licensing Exams

Most professions require an exam, even if you have been practicing since the stone age. Most physicians will be exempt from an exam, dentists who have been practicing for 5 of the last 7 years are exempt, as are all psychologists. Pharmacists may be exempt from part of the exam if they have been practicing for 3 of the last 5 years.

Assuming that all of your documents are in order, and you would like to take the exam within the next 12 months, you can submit a request to register for the exam while at MedEx. Of course, you can also register for the exam at a later date.

No. However, you can take the exam in Israel as a tourist, pre-Aliyah after all of your medical licensing paperwork has been submitted and approved. In this case, there is a tourist affidavit that must be completed and signed by a lawyer.

Yes! You can sit for the licensing exam as a tourist as long as all of your paperwork is in, and approved, plus a tourist declaration signed by a licensed Israeli attorney.

The specific exam that you require is held twice a year, on specific dates. There are strict deadlines for each exam date. So, make sure to sign up on time.

You may take the exam in English, but you must indicate that on your exam request form. If you are taking the exam as a new Oleh you are entitled to 30 minutes extra time, upon presenting your Teudat Oleh (Aliyah booklet).

Only Nurses, Speech Therapists, and Audiologists who take the exam in English will also need to pass a Hebrew proficiency exam (Yael test 110) or complete a Hebrew Ulpan class level gimmel (score 70).

Among your other paperwork, you’ll have the opportunity to indicate and submit proof that you are entitled to be exempt from the exam. You must present proof of employment on letterhead from your employer as a licensed and practicing dentist for Five (5) of the last seven (7) years. If you are self-employed, your accountant – on letterhead – must provide proof of your work as a licensed dentist for this period of time.