The process of receiving a license to practice dentistry, for overseas dentistry graduates, consists of the following stages:
1. Submission of an application to receive a license to practice dentistry
The application must contain the following documents:
- 2 passport photographs
- 2 photocopies of an identity card, including the address slip and statement of status in Israel (citizenship or residency)
If the status in Israel is not indicated on the identity card, a photocopy of an Israeli passport or confirmation from the Ministry of the Interior of status in Israel may be sent
or
a photocopy of a passport with a valid confirmation to stay in Israel
- Questionnaire for healthcare practitioners – 2 copies
- Application form for taking the dental licensing examinations – 2 copies
- A final diploma in dentistry from a recognized university or a confirmation of graduation from the university, completion of all of the requirements to the university and eligibility for a diploma in the profession that will be awarded at a certain time
- Official confirmation of the date of starting and graduating from studies. If the studies were conducted at more than one institute, provide official confirmations on the chronology of the studies and the courses taken in each institute.
- A license to practice the profession from the country in which the graduate studied and/or practiced (if the license cannot be enclosed as requested, attach a letter explaining this)
- Official work permits from the appropriate medical institutions, and indication of the start and end date of work at each institution (in relevant cases – a work book)
- A professional certificate of good conduct from the competent authorities in the country in which he studied or practiced.
The certificate confirms that there have bene no disciplinary, negligence or professional ethics complaints against the certificate applicant.
Translation and certification of certificates and documents
- Do not send to the Medical Professions Licensing Department original certificates, only copies.
- The documents must be certified by a notary public licensed in Israel. Send to the division the original notarial confirmation (with the red ribbon) and another copy of it (for a total of two copies).
- Documents that are not written in Hebrew or Arabic are to be translated into Hebrew by a qualified translator in Israel. Submit a copy of the original document and its translation.
Documents may be delivered for the division on the ground floor of the ministry, at the security desk. The documents must be sealed in an envelope. A confirmation of delivery of the documents will be given on the spot.
The contact details provided by the candidates constitute a basis for contacting them. Giving wrong information will prevent the processing of the application.
2. Check of eligibility to take the governmental examination
The confirmation of eligibility to be take the governmental examination is forwarded to the
Dental Health Division.
To be entitled to take the examination, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- Israeli identity card holders
Persons entitled to be examined will receive a username and password from the Ministry of Health (a username will be sent by email and an initial password will be sent by text message), using which they may enter the Healthcare Professionals Web Portal.
- Foreign passport holders
Persons entitled to be examined will receive a letter by mail containing a confirmation of eligibility to be examined, an examination fee payment slip and a registration form for the examination that must be filled in and returned with the requested examination date.
3. Theoretical and practical governmental examination in dentistry
- Registration for examinations
- Israeli identity card holders
Persons entitled to be examined may register on the Healthcare Professionals Web Portal (select a date and language) and will receive a text message with an examinee number for payment of the examination fee.
Before the examination, the enrollees will receive a text message announcing that there is a letter of confirmation for taking the examination and the examination date on the portal.
- Foreign passport holders
The confirmation of eligibility to take the examination letter that is sent also contains an examination registration letter that must be filled in and returned with the requested examination date.
- The examination dates
The examinations, which are conducted by the Dental Health Division, are held twice a year (winter sitting and summer sitting)
- The examination fee
The examination fee for the stage A examination is NIS 441 and for the stage B examination fee is NIS 710.
- Israeli identity card holders
After registration for the examination on the Healthcare Professionals Web Portal, eligible persons will receive an examinee number (which is required for payment of the examination fee).
The fee must be paid on the governmental payments website on the day after registration on the portal.
Those requesting to pay the fee via the postal bank are requested to contact the examiners committee and ask to receive a payment slip by mail. They must apply by fax 02-5655995 indicating the details: identity number, last name and first name, exact, clear address (including ZIP). (write as soon as possible).
- Foreign passport holders
The confirmation of eligibility to be examined letter that is sent also contains a payment slip for the examination and an examinee number (which is required for payment of the examination fee). The fee must be paid at the postal bank.
- Composition of the examinations
The examination consists of two stages: stage A – a theoretical examination and stage B – a practical examination.
- Israeli identity card holders
Graduates who successfully pass the stage A examination will receive a text message stating that they must register for stage B and pay the examination fee on the portal.
- Foreign passport holders
Graduates who successfully pass the stage A examination will receive a letter containing a stage B registration form and a slip for payment of the examination fee. The form is to be filled in and returned with the requested examination date. The fee may be paid at the postal bank.
- The examination languages
For the theoretical examination, one may choose to be examined in Hebrew or Arabic. There may be translations into other languages.
The examination language will be chosen when registering for the examination.
- Exemption from examinations
According to the amendment to the Dentists Ordinance of January 28, 2016, dentists licensed to practice overseas who have duly practiced dentistry overseas for at least five years are exempted from theoretical and practical examinations.
On June 2, 2016, the Dentists Regulations (Conditions for Giving an Exemption from Mandatory Examination), 2016, were published in the official records.
The regulations state the conditions for exempting dentists who have practiced clinical dentistry overseas at an adequate professional level for at least five years from governmental examinations.
- Examination results
- Israeli identity card holders
Examinees taking the stage A examination will be sent a text message announcing that the examination results (pass or fail) and their eligibility to take the stage B examination are on the Healthcare Professionals Web Portal.
Examinees taking the stage B examination will be sent a text message announcing that the examination results (pass or fail) and their eligibility to receive a license are on the Healthcare Professionals Web Portal.
- Foreign passport holders
Stage A examinees will be sent a text message announcing the results of the examination (pass or fail) and their eligibility to take the stage B examination.
Stage B examinees will be sent a text message announcing the results of the examination (pass or fail) and their eligibility to receive a license.
- Inspection and appealing the results of the examinations
Persons receiving a mark of 51 or higher are allowed to submit an appeal against the results of the examination.
The appeal against the examination results will be made within 30 days of announcement of the results.
4. Criminal record check
For receiving the license, the Ministry of Health must receive confirmation from the Israel Police that the license applicant has no criminal record.
The
Medical Professions Licensing Department of the Ministry of Health will contact the Israel Police for receiving the confirmation and after receiving it the license will be issued to persons who have fulfilled all the other requirements of the law.
By law, the Ministry of Health is not allowed to request this confirmation directly from the license applicant.
5. Temporary permit
A temporary permit will only be given to dentists with Israeli citizenship or those who have been defined by law as a “resident of Israel”.
Persons who pass the examinations (both stages) will be sent a text message announcing their eligibility for a temporary permit with a direction to pay the
temporary permit fee.
Persons requesting to pay the fee via the postal bank are requested to contact the
Health Voice call center to ask for a payment slip by mail.
After paying the fee, the temporary permit to practice dentistry for 15 months will be issued and sent to the dentist by registered mail to the updated address at the Ministry of Health. The temporary permit will be extended.
6. Permanent license
As a rule, persons who have practiced dentistry for a year at least with a temporary permit and who fulfill the other requirements of the law are entitled to a permanent license to practice dentistry.
A permanent license will only be given to dentists with Israeli citizenship or those defined by law as a “resident of Israel”.
Persons fulfilling the conditions of the law and the regulations will be sent a text message announcing their eligibility for a permanent license with a direction to pay the
permanent license fee.
Persons asking to pay the fee by postal bank are requested to contact the
Health Voice call center and ask for a payment slip by mail.
After payment of the fee, the permanent license to practice dentistry will be issued and sent to the dentist by registered mail to the updated address at the Ministry of Health.
