Physicians

For updated army requirements, click here.

Physicians from North America and the UK represent a valuable resource for the State of Israel, which is expecting to experience a shortage of doctors in the upcoming years, due to a convergence of factors such as population increase and the retirement of immigrant doctors (from the former USSR).

Licensing

Disclaimer: Misrad Habriut regulations are subject to change without advance notice and are constantly changing. For the most current information regarding licensing procedures, please see the Misrad Habriut site. Nefesh B’Nefesh does not take responsibility for inaccuracies on the site or changes to the law.

For a listing of updated links to the Misrad Habriut site, please see Licensing for Health Professionals: Links

Medical licensing in Israel is a two step process:

Applying for medical licensing through Misrad Habriut (Ministry of Health).
Applying for board certification through the Moetza HaMada'it (Scientific Council) of the Israel Medical Association.

Applying for Medical Licensing through Misrad Habriut

In order to practice medicine in Israel, you are required to hold a license issued by the Department of Medical Professions of Misrad Habriut. To be eligible for a license, you must have completed your studies at a recognized medical school in the US, Canada or the UK, as well as one year of internship or clinical work (the length depends on your specialty). If you complete your internship prior to Aliyah, you must have a valid medical license from your country of origin. If you have not completed one year of internship prior to Aliyah, you must pass an exam and do your internship ("stage") in Israel before you can begin your residency. Please note that the above stipulations regarding internship and the licensing exam do not apply to those who have completed American medical programs in Israel.

All doctors will be required to take a Hebrew proficiency test as part of the licensing process, starting January 1, 2012.

If you will need to do your residency in Israel, you may refer to the Israel Medical Association's website for information on specialties and sub-specialties.

Misrad Habriut has started a pilot program, whereby potential Olim can begin the licensing process prior to making Aliyah. In order to qualify for this program, applicants must have Aliyah approval from the Jewish Agency. It is important to note that your documents must still be translated and notarized by an Israeli notary in Israel. If you visit Israel prior to your Aliyah, this is a good opportunity to have your documents authorized by an Israeli notary and even submitted to Misrad Habriut. Your medical license can only be issued after you issue a Teudat Zehut and submit a notarized copy of it to Misrad Habriut.

Note about Osteopathy: While the field of osteopathy is currently not regulated in Israel, if you have a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, you can be licensed by Misrad Habriut as a physician.

Notes:

If you make Aliyah before completing one year of internship, you will be required to take a medical exam in order to obtain your Israeli medical license.
Sackler students and graduates of foreign medical programs in Israel who completed an internship outside of Israel are also required to take the medical exam. If they have completed a residency and are recognized as a specialist by the IMA, they are exempt.

Misrad Habriut now offers a new customer call center to answer questions about licensing for health care professionals. Call *5400 from Israel or 972-8-6241010 from abroad. The center operates Sunday through Thursday, 8am-6pm, and Fridays from 8am-1pm, Israel time.

Documents to Bring

Note: All documents must be translated and notarized by an Israeli notary in Israel. For each document that you submit, you will need to submit 1 notarized copy, plus a photocopy of that same document. (Please also make a photocopy of each notarized document for your files.) Do not submit any original files. See Notarization Services.

The following documents should be submitted to Misrad Habriut:

2 passport photos.
2 photocopies of your Teudat Zehut, including the address stub and/or photocopy of passport. (If you are applying pre-Aliyah, please submit a copy of your current passport together with your application to Misrad Habriut.)
Final diploma from a recognized university or certification from a university of completion of studies, completion of all requirements for the university, and entitlement to a degree in medicine to be awarded on a certain date.
Official confirmation of beginning and ending date of studies. Sometimes, this information appears on your diploma. If it does not, you can request a letter from your medical school indicating the start and end date of your studies.
Official confirmation of successful completion of internship, including details about the departments in which the internship took place and the amount of time spent in each department. Alternatively, official confirmation of work in clinical medicine for at least one year.
Medical license. Note: You cannot submit an expired license.
Official work permits from the appropriate institutions, and notations regarding the start and end dates of work at each institution (in the relevant cases – a work card).
Specialist’s certificate from abroad (in the relevant cases).
Professional letter of good standing from the authorized bodies in the country from which the applicant immigrated to Israel. The letter confirms that there are no, and have not been any, disciplinary, negligence or professional ethics complaints against the physician. (This must be translated and notarized even if it states, "Invalid if opened." You must submit the original envelope along with the copy.) Physicians from the UK should ask for a letter of good standing to be sent by registered mail from the GMC directly to Misrad Habriut (the GMC will only mail it directly, and this is the only way to guarantee its arrival). Physicians from Montreal should obtain the letter from the College des Medicines du Quebec.
An application form (you must submit 3 copies). The form is available online on the Misrad Habriut site.
A request to take the licensing exam (you must submit 3 copies). You need to submit this form even if you are exempt from the exam. The form is available online on the Misrad Habriut site. Note: For individuals who are required to take the exam, information about exam dates is also available online.
If you are a UK physician and only studied for 5 years of medical school, you must provide a copy of your high school diploma and an explanation of why your studies were shorter than usual.
Documentation indicating name change, if relevant.
Letter from the Moetza Hamadait, if you have already been accepted as a specialist.

If you live in the Jerusalem area or in Acco, Tzfat, Nazareth, Afula, Tiberias or Be'er Sheva, this documentation must be sent via registered mail to: Misrad Habriut, Division for Licensing of Medical Professions, Ben Tabai 2, Jerusalem, 93591.

If you live outside of these areas, you must bring these documents in person to your local Misrad Habriut office. For a listing of offices, see Misrad Habriut offices.

Applying for Specialty Recognition through the Moetza Mada'it

The Scientific Council of the Israeli Medical Association (Moetza Mada'it) is responsible for board certification.

When you first arrive as an Oleh, you should submit all of your licensing documentation to Misrad Habriut. See the section above for required documentation and details.

Specialty recognition is a separate process from the general medical licensing procedure, which is done through the Ministry of Health (Misrad Habriut).

It is important to submit your documents to the Scientific Council before your Aliyah. Once the Scientific Council receives and processes your documents, they will send you a letter explaining what you need to do in order to be qualified as a specialist. The advantage of doing this pre-Aliyah is:

You will know beforehand how long you will need to wait in order to be recognized in your specialty in Israel.

This shortens the licensing process because it eliminates many months of waiting for an answer from the Scientific Council after you receive your general medical license.

The documents that should be presented are the following:

A copy of the MD diploma.

A copy of the Board Certification / Specialty Certification.

A copy of the documents attesting to clinical experience since receiving the MD diploma - including internship and residency training and additional experience as a specialist.

A copy of the documents attesting to examinations taken. Note: Physicians who took the American boards are not required to provide this certification.

A copy of a license to practice medicine in Israel (if already exists).

A detailed CV (Curriculum Vitae) including details of specialty training. Be sure to note any hospital affiliation that you have, following your residency. Your training will be compared to the Israeli syllabus, therefore, it is important to build your CV in a manner that is maximally parallel to the Israeli equivalent.

A physician who has recently worked for a period of time in a recognized department in Israel should present a letter of recommendation from the Head of Department.

A physician who has already been accepted to a hospital department in Israel will state this in his or her application.

For the surgical specialties, anesthetics, ENT, ophthalmology and obstetrics & gynecology, list surgeries done during the residency, and if the residency was done many years ago, provide a list of operations/procedures from the five years prior to your Aliyah.

Psychiatrists and family doctors must fill out a form that is linked to from the following page:http://www.ima.org.il/mitmachim/web/category.asp?catid=343

One photograph.

All documents may be presented in Hebrew or in English. Note: For other languages, please attach a translation; only translations of documents in 1,2,3 and 4 need to be notarized. (In contrast to Misrad Habriut requirement, a U.S. notary is permitted.)

Please send documents to: The Scientific Council, Israel Medical Association,35 Jabotinsky St. (Twin Towers 2), POB: 3566 Ramat Gan 52136, attention Adva Nissim. You can also contact Adva at advan@ima.org.il, phone: 03-6100412 or fax: 03-751-6933. Note: Documents that are sent ONLY by fax will not be processed; the documents should also be sent by mail.

The Specialty Committee can take two or three months to meet and evaluate credentials. If the Scientific Council decides not to recognize the specialty immediately, it may ask for more course work, an extension of the residency ("Hitmachut"), or exams. This is up to the committee and each applicant must be in direct contact with the Council to discuss his/her case individually. The Council also requires that a specialist fulfill an observation period (“Tkufat Histaklut”) in a recognized department in Israel and present a letter of recommendation from the head of department or clinic in order for it to grant a specialty license. The observation period is usually 1 to 6 months long.

Although you can work as a specialist in the U.S. without passing the American boards, experience has shown that those who have not passed American Board Certification may have a difficult time receiving IMA recognition. It is strongly recommended to pass the American Boards before making Aliyah.

In many specialties the Israeli residency period is 12-18 months longer than the residency periods abroad. We highly recommend working in a hospital following your residency, because this can be counted towards the residency period in Israel. In addition, if you are working in private practice but maintain a part-time affiliation with a hospital, this might also be counted towards your Israeli residency period.

Histaklut

Misrad Haklita pays the hospital your salary during the Histaklut. Misrad Haklita will not pay your Histaklut salary if you begin the observation period while still receiving Sal Klita payments. In order to receive both your Sal Klita and your salary, you will need to submit an appeal to Misrad Haklita. For more information, please contact your Misrad Haklita counselor.

Once you finish your Histaklut, submit the following forms to the Moetza Mada'it (IMA) in order to be recognized as a specialist:

A signed letter from the head of the department (where you did your Histaklut) stating that you have completed your Histaklut. Please make sure the beginning and end dates of your Histaklut period are mentioned in the letter.

A form asking to be recognized as a specialist. To print the form, click here.

Payment for recognition of your specialty. For details, click here. If you need further assistance, call 03-610-0444.

A photocopy of your license from Misrad Habriut.

Receiving Your Permanent License

Physicians initially receive a temporary license which is valid for 14 months. To receive the permanent license, you must have at least 12 months of experience working as a physician in Israel, and you must submit a letter of recommendation from a certified Israeli specialist who has observed your professional work. This specialist does not need to be in your field. You will need to use an official form for this letter of recommendation, which can be obtained from Daniella Slasky, NBN's licensing liaison, at daniella@nbn.org.il. Note: You can extend your temporary license for a period of three years.

In order to receive your permanent license, you must mail the following to Misrad Habriut:

Original temporary license

Letter from an employer who is a specialist, indicating that you worked for a period of at least 1 year. See חוות דעת מקצועית לקראת קבלת רשיון קבוע: http://www.health.gov.il/DocLib/a3466_L250309.doc

You must submit these documents to Misrad Habriut at least eight weeks before your temporary license expires. The cost for issuing a permanent medical license is 773 NIS. Payment can be made online: Misrad Habriut Online Payment.

If you would like to extend your temporary license (if you have not yet worked for 12 months in Israel), you must submit your original temporary license.

Obtaining a Police Statement: Misrad Habriut will need to get an Ishur Bidvar He’eder Rishum Plili (police statement regarding your lack of a criminal record) from the Israeli Police. To expedite this process, some Olim have received this letter on their own initiative, by requesting it directly from their local police stations, and this has shortened the licensing process. In some cities, you will first need to pay 32 NIS at the post office prior to going to the local police station. (Ask to pay for an Ishur Bidvar He’eder Rishum Plili.) Bring the receipt to the police station. Once you obtain this letter, it is best to mail it directly to Misrad Habriut with your other licensing forms.

The Ministry of Health does not send a reminder indicating that your licensing is going to expire soon. As soon as you receive your license, please mark your calendar 12 weeks before the expiration date so that you can receive your renewed license before the old one expires.

Internships

If you have not completed an internship overseas prior to making Aliyah, you are required to complete an internship, or stage, in Israel. Before you start working as an intern, you must pass the Israeli internship exam. This exam is very similar to the USMLE Level 2 and is given twice a year.

The following documents must be submitted to Misrad HaBriut, in order to receive permission to take the entrance exam for Stage (internship). Stage placement is determined by lottery. For more information and updates, see the Misrad Habriut website: http://www.health.gov.il/pages/default.asp?pageid=2362&parentid=2262&catid=306&maincat=4 (Scroll down to view information for physicians from abroad.)

2 passport photos.
2 photocopies of your Teudat Zehut, including the address stub. (If you are a tourist, please submit 2 photocopies of your passport with valid authorization for living in Israel.)
Official confirmation of start and end date of studies. Often, this information appears on your diploma or transcript. If not, you can request a letter from your medical school indicating your start and end date.
Final diploma from a recognized university (or certification from a university regarding completion of studies, completion of all requirements for the university, and entitlement to a degree in medicine to be awarded on a certain date).
Fill out two copies of each these forms. A photocopy is not sufficient. Forms must be written in Hebrew:
http://www.health.gov.il/download/forms/a2628_bakasha_stach.doc
http://www.health.gov.il/download/forms/a2889_form_oved_mik.pdf

All English documents must be translated and notarized.

Students who graduated from Sackler and other U.S. schools in Israel will be required to provide different documentation.

Contacts at Misrad Habriut: Yona 03-670-5993 and Yehudit: 02-670-5842.

Once you submit the application to Misrad Habriut and get permission to take the exam, the exam itself is administered by the Moetza Hamadait (Scientific Council of the Israeli Medical Association): 03-610-0444 or 03-610-0419.

A Misrad Haklita subsidy is available for the first two years of Hitmachut (specialization). The subsidy covers up to 50% of your salary during this period (but not more than 6,494 NIS per month). Note: This subsidy is available for no more than 28 physicians per year, and is dependent on the availability of government funding.

Israel Medical Association - Histadrut HaRefu'it B'Yisrael

The professional organization for doctors in Israel is the Histadrut HaRofeim B’Yisrael. This organization deals with all matters concerning doctors, both professional such as examinations, and malpractice laws and personal such as salaries, malpractice insurance, etc. It publishes a professional semi-monthly magazine as well as personal newsletter on a monthly basis. They can be contacted at:

IMA - The Histadrut HaRefuit B’Yisrael
Twin Tower 2, Jabotinsky 35, POB 3566
Ramat Gan 52136
Tel: 03 610 0444;
Fax: 03 575 3303

Army Requirements for Physicians

NEW UPDATE: There is currently a serious crisis in the Israeli army due to a significant shortage of physicians. As a result, a male physician who makes Aliyah before his thirty-second birthday, will be drafted by the army for eighteen months. You may be asked to do Milu'im (serve in the reserves) until the age of 43. You will be paid a salary during this time. Regardless of your age, all physicians should be in touch with Nefesh B'Nefesh regarding the possibility of IDF service. (The IDF may change the age limit at any time.)

The army is entitled to draft you after six months. You are allowed to defer the service for up to twenty-four months from your Aliyah date. If you are asked to serve before the six month period, you are asked to sign a waiver - and it is your right to refuse.

Physicians who are married with children (men) are still required to serve in the army. At present, religious women who are physicians are exempt from service, though this may change in the future.

For more information about army service, see Army Service for Men and Army Service for Women. You can be in touch with the army directly by contacting Limor by phone at: 03-737-4454 or 057-815-7339, by fax at: 03-737-6926 or by email at limor38@idf.gov.il, or be in touch with Tal David by phone at: 03-737-9527 or 057-819-8863.

Working Conditions

Financial recompense for physician services in Israel varies significantly from normative salary expectations in North America. We recommend speaking to physicians who are already working in Israel, to gain a realistic sense of local salaries.

Salaries and conditions of employment between the various Kupot Cholim (health funds) vary. You might need to "shop around" to work out the best package.

Banking Benefits

In some Israeli banks, doctors receive special discounts and services, which may include lower fees and favorable loan terms.

Employment Opportunities

Specialties in Demand

While there is a growing demand for physicians in general, there is a particularly strong need for specialists in such areas as family medicine, pediatrics, female gynecologists, geriatrics, radiology, internal medicine, nuclear medicine, anesthesiology, neonatology, nephrology, neurology, pathology, and surgery.

Working for U.S. Employers

Due to the advent of tele-radiology, radiology is one of the most in-demand and lucrative medical professions for North American Olim. Hospitals in the US will hire an Israeli radiologist (provided they have a U.S. license) and pay them to work the U.S. night shift.

Kupot Cholim

Each of the four health funds, Meuchedet, Macabbi, Clalit and Leumit has branches throughout the country. The differences between the health funds lie mainly in the location of their facilities, the types of supplemental policies offered, and additional services offered within the framework of their facilities. Most large cities have a clinic in almost every district. Each fund has its own method of payment and reimbursement policy. Reimbursement is generally on a quarterly basis, and payment is based on the number of patients seen each quarter, but not, however, according to the number of each patient’s visits. Each fund has its own method of keeping track of patients, and at the beginning of each quarter, the doctor submits a list of patients seen in the previous quarter. The funds try to pay the doctor on a monthly, rather than a quarterly basis, with salaries readjusted in order to compensate for varying numbers of patients.

Many physicians work as Atzma'im, independent contractors rather than salaried employees. Therefore, it is recommended to speak to an accountant before accepting a new job offer.

Hospitals

Many physicians combine working in the Kupot Cholim (health clinics) with work in a hospital. While salaries in the Kupot Cholim may be higher, hospitals offer a chance to work in a supportive environment with professional colleagues.

Health funds cover hospitalization costs for their members. Conditions vary from hospital to hospital. Physicians employed directly by a hospital receive a standard pay according to seniority and specialty, supplemented by such items such as overtime and pensions.

For a listing of Israeli hospitals, click here.

Immediate Care Clinics - TEREM

In addition to working for the kupot or hospitals, another potential place of employment is TEREM. Terem has a network of urgent and immediate care clinics, in and around the Jerusalem area (including branches in Bet Shemesh, Modi'in and Ma'ale Adumim). In many ways, it functions as an ER, but separate from a hospital setting. Terem has a long history of employing oleh doctors, and is particularly keen to employ doctors with an anglo background. You do not necessarily need to have a background in ER work (although this is desirable), and Terem employs family and general doctors, pediatricians, orthopedists, gynaecologists, internal medicine and more. For more details, please contact Daniel Lipczer (Personnel Manager) on 02-652-1748 or dl@terem.com.

Private Practice

Anyone who holds a medical license is entitled to open a private practice and set fees as they see fit. When you have a private practice you can see patients on a strictly private basis, or you can receive members of health funds and then be reimbursed by the funds. There are many practices that combine the two.

Knowledge of Hebrew

A good working knowledge of Hebrew is essential. It is strongly advised to take Ulpan upon arrival. Even where an immigrant doctor works entirely with speakers of his/her mother tongue, it is still necessary to deal with the various agencies that make up the Israeli medical network. In addition to regular ulpan, Misrad Haklita offers an ulpan for medical professionals – shlav bet - and opens this class provided there are enough people interested. Be in touch with your branch of Misrad Haklita to find out when the next class will begin.

Working in a Volunteer Capacity

In order to obtain an Israeli medical license, it is necessary to become a citizen or a permanent resident of Israel.

However, it is possible for non-citizens to obtain limited licensing, designed for individuals who are licensed as physicians outside of Israel and want to volunteer in Israeli hospitals or work in Israel temporarily.

The following original documents must be submitted to the hospital where you intend to work. These forms must be presented in hardcopy form (no e-mails).

Diploma
License/registration
Board certification
Passport

These documents will be forwarded by the hospital to Misrad Habriut where they will be processed (including translation into Hebrew). Once approved, Misrad Habriut will deliver to the relevant hospital a “Limited License”.

Eligibility for Physician Aliyah Program

The growing need for quality physicians throughout Israel has provided the impetus for the Nefesh B'Nefesh Physician Aliyah Program. As part of the program, physicians moving to the North and South of Israel are eligible to apply for a grant. In addition, they will receive assistance with licensing and employment. Physicians moving to the center of the country receive assistance with licensing and employment (but are not eligible for a grant).

Please note that Nefesh B'Nefesh may at any time change the terms and conditions for Financial Eligibility. Please check our website regularly for any changes. Please also note that all financial records are kept in utmost confidentiality.

Applicants for financial assistance must be residents of either the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom.
Financial assistance is awarded to individuals or families based on financial need. Applicants who are assessed as having sufficient funds for Aliyah will not be awarded financial assistance.
Both singles and families are eligible for financial assistance.
Applicants must NOT have made Aliyah previously.
Grants will only be awarded to applicants who have been approved for Aliyah by the Jewish Agency.
Applicants must make Aliyah and issue the necessary documentation upon arrival in Israel.
Applicants must have had prior experience in Israel. (Preferably a pilot trip within two years previous to intended Aliyah date.)
Grantees must have completed medical school & be licensed to practice medicine in the US, Canada or the UK. Qualified applicants must hold an MD or DO degree.
Grantees must work in Israel a minimum of six months a year.
Grantees must commit to living in Israel for a minimum of three years. If the grantee emigrates from Israel within three years, the grantee will be obligated to return the grant to Nefesh B’Nefesh.
Grantees must live in the North or South of Israel.

Nefesh BNefesh