ℹ️ Introduction
This guide provides a step-by-step roadmap for Pakistani doctors – both general practitioners (GPs) and specialists – to obtain a medical license in Kuwait. It focuses specifically on Pakistani nationals who completed their medical education and training in Pakistan.
🔑 Key Points:
- Covers eligibility criteria for Pakistani MBBS graduates and specialists.
- Explains required documents with attestation and translation details.
- Outlines the application process from scratch, including fees and timelines.
- Details the Kuwait Medical Licensing Exam (Prometric KMLE).
- Provides official contacts for queries.
📜 Required Documents for Application
When applying, compile a comprehensive set of documents with proper attestation and, if needed, translation.
- Application Letter: A formal letter requesting a professional license, addressed to the Ministry of Health (Medical Licensing Department).
- Passport Copy: Clear copy of your passport’s ID page. If already in Kuwait, include a copy of your Civil ID.
- MBBS Degree Certificate: Attested copy of your final medical diploma (MBBS). May require EPIC (primary-source) verification.
- Medical School Transcript: If available, get it attested (sometimes requested for degree equivalency).
- House Job Certificate: Proof of completing the one-year internship/house job.
- Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate (if applicable): Attested copies of postgraduate qualifications (FCPS, MD, MS, etc.). Provide official English translations if original is not in English.
- Pakistan Medical License and Good Standing: Copy of your PMDC/PMC registration certificate. Certificate of Good Standing (recommended).
- Experience Letters: Letters from employers/hospitals showing positions and durations (house job, MO, Registrar, Consultant, etc.).
- Passport-size Photographs: 2–3 recent photos with white or light blue background.
- Kuwait Medical Association (KMA) Membership: Mandatory for doctors in Kuwait. You can join during the final stages. Provide the KMA membership certificate/receipt once obtained.
- Other Documents: If you have a job offer letter in Kuwait, include it. Extra certificates (ACLS, BLS) are optional.
🔒 Attestation and Translation of Documents
Kuwait requires authenticity and equivalence proof for foreign qualifications. Two main pathways:
- Attestation & Equivalence via Ministries
- Have your documents attested by:
- HEC (Higher Education Commission) in Pakistan
- MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in Pakistan
- Kuwait Embassy/Consulate in Pakistan
- Present these attested documents to Kuwait’s Ministry of Higher Education for equivalency.
- The Higher Committee for Equivalency of Certificates in Kuwait confirms if your Pakistani degree is equivalent to a Kuwaiti one.
- Primary Source Verification via EPIC (ECFMG)
- Kuwait’s MOH partners with ECFMG for direct verification of foreign credentials.
- Upload your credentials to EPIC; ECFMG verifies them directly with the issuing institution in Pakistan.
- EPIC reports are accepted as proof of authenticity in Kuwait.
- Translation
- Documents should be in English or Arabic.
- If any are in Urdu or another language, get them officially translated into English or Arabic.
➡️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Below is a detailed workflow, from preparation in Pakistan to final licensing in Kuwait.
Step 1: Verify Your Credentials Through EPIC (Primary Source Verification)
- Create an EPIC Account: Visit the ECFMG EPIC site, fill out an online request, and pay the initial fee. ECFMG will email you login details.
- Confirm Your Identity: Upload the notarized EPIC Identification Form and your passport scan for verification.
- Upload Credentials: Upload your MBBS and any postgraduate certificates for verification. Select “Kuwait Ministry of Health” so that the verification report is shared accordingly.
- EPIC Verification Timeline: Takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on how quickly your Pakistani institutions respond.
- EPIC Fees: Approximately $125 to set up an account, plus ~$90 for each credential. Budget a few hundred dollars total.
- Exemption: If your credentials are already verified by the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education, you may be exempt from EPIC.
Step 2: Create an Account on the Kuwait MOH Online Licensing Portal
- Access the MOH Website: Go to moh.gov.kw, find the Medical Licenses Services section, or the direct licensing portal (e.g., medlic.moh.gov.kw).
- Register and Log In: Create a new online account using your email and a password. Complete your profile with personal, educational, and work experience details.
- Select the Licensing Service: Choose “New Personal License” or “Physician – new license” from the dropdown.
- Fill the Application Form: Provide all required information accurately (degree details, PMDC license info, etc.).
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of required documents (passport, MBBS, postgraduate certificates, experience letters, etc.). If you have an EPIC report or ID, attach it or note it in the comments.
- Review and Submit: Double-check all entries; submit the application. Wait for preliminary approval (updates via portal/email).
Step 3: Pay the Examination Fee and Get Exam Authorization
- Exam Fee: ~100 Kuwaiti Dinars (KD) for physicians (≈ USD $300–$330). Pay online through the MOH portal or Prometric scheduling system.
- Exam Eligibility/Authorization: After payment, the MOH issues an Eligibility Number or authorization to take the exam.
- Scheduling the Exam: The KMLE is administered by Prometric. You can take it in Kuwait or at Prometric centers in Pakistan (Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore). Choose your specialty exam or the General Practice exam, depending on your credentials.
Step 4: Prepare for and Pass the Kuwait Prometric Licensing Exam (KMLE)
- Exam Format: Computer-based test with 150 MCQs. Duration ~170 minutes, typically in English.
- Exam Content: GPs cover a broad range (Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Psychiatry, etc.). Specialists focus on their specific specialty. Includes questions on medical ethics and patient safety.
- Passing Criteria: Usually ~65–70% to pass. Aim for 70% or higher.
- Number of Attempts: Up to 3 attempts allowed. A 6-week wait is required before retaking.
- Preparation Tips: Use Edubros question banks and Course.
- Exam Day: Arrive 30 minutes early at the test center with valid ID. Manage time wisely.
- Results: Preliminary result may be immediate. Official results follow in a few days. If you pass, proceed; if not, schedule a retake after 6 weeks.
Step 5: Attend the MOH Personal Interview in Kuwait
- Scheduling the Interview: After passing the KMLE, you must appear for a personal interview with the Ministry of Health in Kuwait.
- What to Bring: All original documents (degrees, PMDC license, house job certificate, exam pass proof, etc.) and copies.
- Interview Panel: Conducted by the Medical Licensing Department or Specialized Committees. Mostly a formality for document verification; some may ask brief medical questions.
- Outcome: If all documents are in order, they recommend issuing your license. If items are missing, you'll be asked to provide them.
Step 6: Obtain Kuwait Medical Association (KMA) Membership
- How to Join KMA: Visit the KMA office in Jabriya, Kuwait, fill out the membership application, and pay the fee (~KD 20–30/year). Show proof of medical credentials.
- Membership Certificate/Receipt: Receive a certificate or receipt. Submit a copy to the MOH.
- CME Registration (KIMS): Some doctors also register with the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization (KIMS) for continuing education, especially in government roles. Not usually a license barrier initially.
Step 7: Final Registration and License Issuance
- Submit Final Documents: Provide KMA membership proof and any other remaining paperwork. Ensure the MOH file is complete.
- Pay License Issuance Fee: ~KD 20 (govt. sector); ~KD 50 (private sector) – amounts may vary.
- Receive Your License: Official document/card authorizing practice in Kuwait.
- License Validity: Typically 1–2 years (for non-Kuwaitis). Renewal requires CME proof and a fee.
💰 Fees Summary and ⏰ Timeline
💸 Fees Breakdown
| Item |
Approximate Fee |
| ECFMG EPIC | ~$125 (account) + ~$90 per credential (e.g., MBBS, FCPS) |
| Kuwait MOH Application | Usually no fee for initial application (govt. sector) |
| KMLE Exam (Prometric) | ~KD 100 (≈ USD $300–$330) per attempt |
| KMA Membership | ~KD 20–30/year (varies) |
| License Issuance Fee | ~KD 20 (govt.); ~KD 50 (private sector) |
| Document Attestation | Varies (HEC, MOFA, Embassy fees in PKR) |
| Translations | Varies by translator, language requirements |
⏱️ Typical Timeline
- Document Prep & EPIC Verification: 4–12 weeks
- MOH Application Review & Exam Scheduling: 2–4 weeks
- Exam Preparation: 4–8 weeks (can overlap with EPIC verification)
- Prometric Exam to Results: ~1 week after the exam
- Interview Scheduling & Travel: 2–4 weeks
- Post-Interview License Issuance: 1–2 weeks
In total, expect about 3–6 months to complete all steps (if everything goes smoothly and you pass on the first try).
📞 Official Resources and Contacts
Use these resources for official information, application tracking, and resolving queries.
- Kuwait Ministry of Health (MOH) – Licensing Department
- Email: license@moh.gov.kw
- Phone: +965 25753392 / +965 25753386 / +965 25745353 / +965 25721543
- Website: moh.gov.kw (look for Medical Licensing Services)
- Kuwait Medical Association (KMA)
- Website: www.kma.org.kw
- Phone: +965 1881181
- Email: kma@kma.org.kw (Office in Jabriya, Kuwait)
- ECFMG EPIC
- Website: ecfmgepic.org
- Email: info@ecfmgepic.org
- Phone: +1 215-966-3900 (USA)
- Prometric (Kuwait MOH Exam)
- Official References (Examples - Link URLs needed)
- Kuwait MOH - Requirements (govt sector): (E.GOV.KW - Placeholder)
- Kuwait Govt Portal - License System: (E.GOV.KW - Placeholder)
- ECFMG EPIC Kuwait Instructions: (ECFMG.ORG - Placeholder)
- KMLE Prometric details: (PROMETRIC.COM - Placeholder)
- Kuwait license fee schedules: (KUWAITHOW.COM - Placeholder)