Iran’s National Healthcare Strategy: Key Exam Paves Way for Overseas Medical Graduates
TEHRAN – In a strategic initiative to bolster its national healthcare capabilities and integrate internationally educated Iranian medical professionals, the Islamic Republic of Iran has unveiled the registration details for the crucial Pre-Internship Examination. This mandatory assessment is a vital step for graduates of international medical universities seeking to practice within Iran, underscoring the nation’s commitment to enhancing its medical workforce and ensuring high standards of care.
Critical Examination Set for Early 2026
According to an announcement from the Medical Education Assessment Center, the specialized Pre-Internship Examination for graduates who have completed their medical studies abroad is slated for Thursday, March 4, 2026. The examination is scheduled to commence promptly at 9:00 AM, marking a pivotal moment for these professionals to align with national practice standards.
Registration Details and Designated Hubs
Prospective candidates are required to complete their in-person registration between Monday, January 26, 2026, and Thursday, February 19, 2026. Applicants must present a printed copy of their initial payment receipt and preliminary registration, along with a recent passport-sized photograph and a valid national ID card.
Registration must be completed at one of Iran’s ten designated regional medical university hubs. These strategic centers include the Universities of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Mazandaran, Tabriz, Hamadan, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Zanjan, Isfahan, Kerman, and Mashhad. This decentralized approach facilitates access for candidates across the country.
Prerequisites for Eligibility and Participation
The Medical Education Assessment Center has emphasized that a critical prerequisite for all applicants is the prior establishment and completion of their academic and personal documentation files with the Educational Services Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Only candidates whose files have been fully processed and approved by this central authority will be deemed eligible for the examination.
Failure to secure this essential verification from the Educational Services Center will result in the non-issuance of an examination entry card, thereby precluding the candidate from participating. This stringent requirement highlights Iran’s dedication to ensuring that all medical professionals, regardless of where they obtained their initial qualifications, meet comprehensive national standards before contributing to the domestic healthcare system.
This structured pathway is a clear reflection of Iran’s proactive policy to integrate skilled citizens who have pursued medical education internationally, reinforcing the nation’s human capital in the vital healthcare sector and strengthening its capacity to serve its population.
