Recognition of Foreign Medical Education in Russia

Recognition of Foreign Medical Education in the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation

To allow a medical professional who received education abroad to practice in Russia, several procedures must be completed to obtain a certification confirming the right to medical practice.

Recognition of Education of Medical Documents in the Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science (nostrification)

This procedure applies not only to medical educational documents obtained abroad, but also to all other documents if there is no additional agreement between Russia and the issuing country waiving the nostrification process.

The following documents and information are required for the nostrification procedure:

1. Notarized power of attorney.
2. Photocopy of the document holder’s passport (with a translation if the passport text is in a foreign language; individuals who have changed their surname must provide a certificate of name change or a photocopy of the marriage certificate).
3. Original educational document and its notarized translation.
4. Original supplement to the educational document, indicating the completed courses and their scope (hours, credits, academic weeks), and its notarized translation.

*If the information on the number of completed hours is missing in the supplement, a duplicate with the mandatory inclusion of this data will be required (applies to certain countries).

Additionally, but not mandatory:

1. A copy of the previous education document and its notarized translation.

If the documents are duplicated in Russian, only the seal (usually in the language of the issuing country) must be translated and notarized.

2. A document confirming work experience in the specialty specified in the diploma (a photocopy of the employment record book with a translation). If the activity is carried out in Russia, the employer must certify the employment record book.

Timeframes and cost of obtaining a nostrification certificate 

The decision to issue a certificate of recognition of foreign education and/or foreign qualification takes from 45 to 90 days. For medical professionals from new territories of the Russian Federation (the Luhansk People's Republic, the Donetsk People's Republic, Zaporizhzhia region, and Kherson region), as well as Ukraine, it takes about 10 working days. The certificate is issued in electronic form with an electronic signature (ECP). For additional certification, a notarized copy of the certificate may be obtained (optional).

The cost of obtaining the recognition certificate is 16,500 rubles.

Confirmation of Education for Foreign Medical Specialists in the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation

Until January 2023, after obtaining the certificate from Rosobrnadzor, the holder of a foreign medical education was required to pass a special exam. However, after the signing of Order No. 10335 by the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare on October 31, 2022, specialists are no longer required to take the exam. Nevertheless, the issued recognition decision does not replace the accreditation process for foreign specialists. According to the Ministry of Health’s Order No. 709n from October 28, 2022, accreditation—either primary specialized or periodic—must still be completed.

Who needs confirmation from the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation:

1. Foreign medical professionals with higher or secondary professional education;
2. Individuals with higher education in Russia but who completed their residency abroad;
3. Individuals with education that does not meet the Russian standard — additional education, internship;
4. Medical and pharmaceutical specialists with foreign education that does not correspond to the Russian nomenclature of specialties.

Who is exempt from the recognition procedure in the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation:

1. Specialists with education equivalent to the Russian standard (specialist degree) in the following fields: “Medical Cybernetics,” “Dentistry,” “General Medicine,” “Preventive Medicine,” “Medical Biophysics,” “Medical Biochemistry,” “Pediatrics,” “Pharmacy”;
2. Medical professionals and pharmacists who obtained their education in the former USSR.

Requirements for documents when submitting an application to the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation:

To consider the issue of issuing a decision on the compliance of medical education by Roszdravnadzor, the following documents and information must be provided:

1. Application for determining the compliance of medical and pharmaceutical education obtained in foreign institutions (according to the recommended form).
2. Consent to the processing of personal data (according to the recommended form).
3. Notarized translation of the passport into Russian.
4. SNILS (personal insurance policy number), if available.
5. Notarized translation of the diploma (with supplement) into Russian.
6. Notarized translation of documents on postgraduate education (internship, residency, etc.) into Russian.
7. Notarized translation of the employment record book into Russian if there is work experience in the specialty (or other confirming documents).
8. 4x5 cm photographs, black and white, matte, without corner – in 2 copies.
9. Certificate of recognition of foreign education and/or foreign qualification (nostrification).
10. If the applicant’s name has changed, additional documents confirming the change of name must be provided, with a notarized translation into Russian.
11. Notarized power of attorney for submitting documents.

Timeframes and cost of document review

As a rule, documents are reviewed within about 25 working days. However, at the discretion of Roszdravnadzor, requests may be sent to Rosobrnadzor during the process, in which case the decision-making time will be extended. If there is a lack of documents, false information, or errors, the agency gives the specialist 60 days to correct them. Sometimes, it may take up to 5 months to receive a response.

PROMOTION UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY 2025! The cost of obtaining a decision is 5000 rubles.

If necessary, we provide document delivery services within Moscow, across Russia, and to any location worldwide.

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