Find information about medical practice licenses according to Vietnamese law

1. Cases of new medical practice licenses

The issuance of new practice licenses applies to the following cases:

– People applying for a practice license for the first time;

– The practitioner changes the professional title recorded on the practice license;

– People whose practice licenses are revoked are subject to new issuance according to Government regulations;

– Other cases according to Government regulations.

2. How long does a physician need to practice to receive a license to practice?

Before being granted a license to practice medicine or pharmacy in Vietnam, people with medical-related professional degrees need to complete a practice period at a medical examination and treatment facility. The duration of this practice varies from case to case. For physicians, 12 months of practice at the hospital is required. Therefore, after graduating, students majoring in General Medicine will need to do at least 12 months of practice at the hospital to improve their skills and expertise before being granted a license to practice medicine.

3. Scope of practice

Vietnam has many regulations regarding the scope of practice of General Practitioners.

First, the scope of practice must be consistent with the diploma or professional certificate related to health that the person has been granted or recognized in Vietnam. At the same time, it must be consistent with the ability to perform professional methods and techniques of the practitioner in the registered specialty and in accordance with the list of technical expertise of the medical examination and treatment facility. Thereby ensuring service quality and patient safety. In particular, the list of medical examination and treatment techniques of General Practitioners includes 484 technical lists.

Practitioners who are physicians at the commune level are allowed to participate in initial first aid, medical examination and common medical treatment according to the provisions of Joint Circular No. 10/2015/TTLT-BYT-BNV dated May 27, 2015 of the Government. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs regulate codes and standards for professional titles of doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and physicians.