How Do I Apply For Internship/Staj In Israel?
Staj is the 9 month internship that all medical graduates must complete in order to receive their permanent medical license from the Ministry of Health (MoH). Read a previous blog for an overview of the Staj structure.
Special thanks to Alex Harris for his valuable contributions to this blog. Alex, an Oxford University graduate, made Aliyah and is currently completing his Staj in Israel.
Recognised Medical Schools Abroad
An important reform passed in 2019 called the Yatziv Reform, aimed at expanding and improving the standard of medical education in Israel. Importantly, the reform meant that certain international medical institutions were no longer recognised as providing sufficient quality medical studies and instead, a list of approved, vetted medical schools were produced. Here you can find the criteria which an international school must meet in order to be recognised by Israel.
Essentially, medical schools in OECD countries are recognised, as well as unique universities in a select few non-OECD countries which meet the 10 inclusion criteria. The approved institutions are listed here.
Only graduates who studied in these universities are entitled to sit the Israeli Government Medical Examination and then earn their Israeli Medical License. This applies to any graduates who started their studies after 2019.
You must then complete the following processes which are outlined below. This is detailed in depth on the Ministry of Health website.
1. Become an Israeli Citizen
Making Aliyah is the number one step. As soon as you know that Aliyah is on the cards - start the process. Whilst there is a way to apply for Staj without an Israeli citizenship, it is more complicated, and not advised.
2. Registration through the Online Health Professionals Portal
Individuals with an Israeli citizenship (Israeli ID holders) can submit their application via the online Health Professions Portal. In order to get your login details for the portal you must complete the following form.
You will then log in to your portal and be required to upload a list of documents, including -passport photo, ID/passport, medical degree, official course dates, and list of subjects and grades by year.
Those who have already passed the USMLE or UKMLA exams must arrange for proof to be sent directly to the Ministry of Health.
Those without citizenship yet, must send their application and all the necessary documents via registered mail directly to the Ministry of Health in Jerusalem.
3. Hebrew Proficiency
This is a new requirement for all applicants who have studied in an international medical programme.
There are various ways to prove your Hebrew proficiency - we have a seperate blog covering this topic topic. It can be found here.
In short - proficiency in Hebrew can be demonstrated in one or more of the following ways:
Successfully passing the medical licensing exam or an internship entrance exam in Hebrew.
Successfully completing matriculation (Bogrut) exams in Hebrew in Israel.
Successfully passing the "Yael" exam administered by the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation, with a score of at least 105.
Studying medicine in Israel where the majority of the coursework was in Hebrew.
Successfully completing an initial Hebrew ulpan run or supervised by the Ministry of Education, at level C (gimmel) or higher, and passing the exam administered as part of the program.
Participating in a Medical Ulpan run by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the Ministry for Immigration Absorption, and successfully passing the exam conducted within the program.
4. Eligibility for the State Exam
One you have completed your registration via the Health Professions Portal, the documents and eligibility will be reviewed by the Medical Professions Licensing Division.
Once eligibility is confirmed, graduates will receive an SMS notification with the date they are eligible to take the exam.
Tourist-status candidates must pay the exam fee.
A passing score is valid for three years only.
5. The State Exam
Generally, anyone who wants to complete Staj in Israel will need to pass the State Licensing Exam.
Registration is done through the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) website.
The exam is held twice a year (Winter and Summer sessions).
It is a written, multiple choice examination, covering 5 core topics and lasting 5 hours long.
The exam is in Hebrew, but can be taken in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, or Russian if at least 8 candidates request that language.
Results are published on the IMA website.
Licensing Preparation Courses
If you are required to take a licensing exam as a condition for obtaining a license, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration conducts preparation courses for the licensing exam, twice a year before government licensing examinations on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
Each course consists of medical terminology Hebrew studies and professional medical studies. The course location varies, and it is recommended to check the administration's website for the nearest location.
The course duration is about six months, and at its conclusion, course participants take an internal exam. A score of 70 or above in the internal exam grants a protective score of ten points that is added to the government exam score.
The course is funded by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and during it, eligible participants receive assistance with living expenses and travel according to Ministry of Aliyah and Integration procedures.
Exemption from the State Licensing Exam:
Common exemption scenarios include:
Passing both USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK
Passing the new UKMLE exam (this is unofficial but currently being practiced)
Doctors who have completed a recognized internship and graduated from approved medical schools.
It's important to note that exemptions are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Israeli Ministry of Health. For the most accurate and up-to-date guidance, always consult with the IMA and MOH.
Summary:
Eligibility to begin a medical internship is determined by the Medical Professions Licensing Division at the Ministry of Health.
To be eligible to start an internship, the following conditions must be met:
Successfully passed the state exam or has been granted an exemption.
Holds an Israeli ID (including temporary resident with valid A5 status).
Has completed all required information on the Health Professions Portal.
Has demonstrated proficiency in Hebrew
Internship authorisation is then issued via the Health Professions Portal and then graduate can then apply for the Staj lottery as described in our previous blog
If you have questions email Nechama Danziger at the Ministry of Health: nechama.danziger@moh.gov.il
