Ministry of Aliyah and Integration / Ministry of Health / Ministry of Economy and Industry — Professional Licensing (Rishayon) for Regulated Professions for Olim

Source: Israeli Government Guide for New Immigrants · 2026-05

According to Israeli law, certain professions require an Israeli license (Rishayon). In many cases this process involves a licensing exam (bechinat rishuy). New immigrants who have to take licensing exams may participate in preparatory courses. New immigrants who are interested in participating in a preparatory course should consult with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration for information about this option. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration participates in organizing and financing preparatory courses for certain professions for new immigrants. New immigrants within the period of eligibility are in many cases fully or partially exempt from tuition fees, and can receive a living stipend and transportation expenses during the period of study, in accordance with regulations. The Ministry also participates in the cost of notarizing translated documents and verifications required for completing the licensing process.

Professions that require a licensing exam: On the website of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration there is a list of professions that require an Israeli license in Israel. The list is organized according to the Ministries in charge of each profession: In Hebrew: https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/faq/regulated_professions In English: https://www.gov.il/en/Departments/faq/regulated_professions Clicking on the name of a profession will open a screen with a detailed description about the process of receiving a license and information about the government entities in charge of licensing for that field.

Medical and Health Related Professions: The medical and para-medical professions that require licensing include: general medicine, dental medicine, pharmacists and pharmacist’s assistants, optometry and orthoptics, hypnotists, clinical geneticists, medical laboratory workers, speech therapists, dietitians, physiotherapy, occupational therapists, dental hygienists and technicians, nursing, psychology and other professions. New immigrants who studied these professions abroad, must go through the process of receiving an Israeli license. In many cases this process involves a licensing exam. A physician with a foreign certification in a specialty, who is recognized by the Scientific Council of the Israeli Medical Association, is exempt from licensing exams. Please Note! From time to time changes occur in the recognition of studies of medicine abroad by the Ministry of Health. For information please go to the website of the Ministry of Health to the page on the subject at the division for the licensing of medical professions: In Hebrew: https://www.health.gov.il/Subjects/ MedicalAndHealthProfessions/Pages/default.aspx In English: https://www.health.gov.il/English/Services/ MedicalAndHealthProfessions/Pages/default.aspx The licensing process The licensing process in the medical professions is regulated by the Ministry of Health. There are a few routes for licensing of physicians in Israel: for graduates of medical studies who have not performed a rotation internship (“stazh”), for graduates who have worked in the profession abroad and for doctors from abroad with a seniority of fourteen years and up. The new immigrants who have completed their medical studies can submit a request for a license via postal mail, with enclosed documents, to the Division of Medical Professions at the Ministry of Health, or do so online, through the Portal of Medical Professions. The Portal of Medical Professions enables those subscribing to turn to the Ministry of Health with questions regarding the professional field of the applicant, including exams, licensing and internship. One can also check the status of a submitted request. The link to the site is in Hebrew: https://my.health.gov.il/MyPortal/MedWorkers/Pages/default. aspx Instructions for entry to the portal are at the following link in Hebrew: https://www.health.gov.il/Subjects/ MedicalAndHealthProfessions/Documents/internship_ preferences_instructions.pdf If your request is approved, the Ministry of Health will send you a notice stating whether you have to take a licensing exam or undergo a “Period of Observation” according to professional seniority. Doctors that have to take the licensing exam may participate in a preparatory course that takes place twice a year.

Professions that Require Licensing and registration: Architects, chemical engineers, construction engineers, and electrical engineers must obtain a professional license in Israel, and also register for a certificate of recognition (Te’udat Hakara). Licensing is an advanced level of certification given to engineers or architects who have gained sufficient hands-on experience in the field in which they are registered, starting from the day of registration. The registration and licensing are done by the Labor Branch - Professional Regulation (“Asdarat Isukim”). In order to receive a professional recognition certificate one has to register in the registry “Pinkas” of the Engineers and Architects in the office mentioned above. As of today one can submit a request to be registered in the registry while still in the country of origin. Additional information about the process of registration and licensing at the following link In Hebrew: https://www.gov.il/he/departments/topics/prof-licensureengineers-and-architects/govil-landing-page Ways of establishing contact: The Ministry of Economy and Industry: The Unit for Regulation of Professions: “Asdarat Isukim” In English: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/labor/govil-landing-page Phone: 074-7696503 Fax: 074-7993006 The Department for Registration and Licensing of Engineers and Architects. Phone: 074-7696660 Fax: 074-7993006 Registration and Licensing of Engineers: E-mail: engineer@labor.gov.il In English: https://www.gov.il/en/service/registration_of_technicians agafklitato@education.gov.il Certified land measurers should turn to the Israeli Center for Cartography in order to register. Engineers and junior-grade technicians in the field of electric engineering, electricity and of electric engineering of high voltage lines should turn to the Labor Branch at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, in order to register in the registry of the Junior Engineers, Technicians and Engineers. In English: https://www.gov.il/en/service/registration_of_technicians Please Note! For more information, please consult with a personal absorption counselor or with the government offices who supervise this field.