Guide for Foreign-Trained Physicians to Practice Medicine in the Dominican Republic

 Guide for Foreign-Trained Physicians to Practice Medicine in the Dominican Republic

Organization: Hispanic Association of Health Professionals, Inc. NY (AHPSI)
Contact: Dr. Aritmedes Restituyo – Tel. 732-277-9640

Objective: To guide foreign-trained physicians through the legal process of practicing medicine in the Dominican Republic (DR).

Key Steps:

1. Prepare & Legalize Documents

   • Gather: Medical degree, official transcripts, course syllabi, birth certificate, ID (passport/cedula), criminal record certificate, photos.

   • Translate all non-Spanish documents by a sworn judicial translator.

   • Apostille documents if the country is a Hague Convention member.

2. Certify with MESCyT

   • Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) certifies and legalizes foreign academic documents.

   • Contact: Av. Máximo Gómez No. 31, Santo Domingo. Tel: 809-731-1100 | info@mescyt.gob.do | mescyt.gob.do

   • Note: Fees approx. RD$200(Dominicans)orUS$150 (foreigners) – confirm directly.

3. Request Degree Revalidation (Reválida) at UASD

   • Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) evaluates and revalidates foreign medical degrees.

   • Office: Central Office of Revalidation and Convalidations.

   • Contact: 809-535-8273, ext. 2555/2556 | uasd.edu.do

   • Submit complete dossier (application letter, transcripts, degree, syllabi, birth certificate, criminal record, photos, forms, fees).

4. Apply for Exequátur (Official License to Practice)

   • This is the state authorization to practice medicine.

   • Submit documents to MESCyT (including revalidation from UASD, national internship completion certificate if applicable).

   • Also involves the Ministry of Public Health (MISPAS/MSP).

   • MSP Contact: Av. Dr. Héctor Homero Hernández, Santo Domingo. Tel: 809-541-3121 | msp.gob.do

5. Register with the Dominican Medical College (CMD)

   • Once legally authorized, register as a member to practice.

   • Contact: Calle Paseo de los Médicos, Santo Domingo. Tel: 809-533-4602 ext. 2001/2019 | info@cmd.org.do | cmd.org.do

Important Considerations:

• Illegal practice (without revalidation/exequatur) violates DR laws.

• Specialties may require separate validation.

• Foreign physicians must verify immigration/residency status.

• All costs and timelines should be confirmed on official websites before starting.

Practical Summary (1-2-3):

1. Prepare documents (translate, apostille).

2. Validate academic training (MESCyT + UASD revalidation).

3. Obtain authorization (Exequátur → MISPAS → CMD registration).

Key Institutions:

Final Message from AHPSI:

AHPSI commends all foreign-trained physicians who wish to serve ethically in the DR. Following these legal, academic, and professional steps ensures integration into the Dominican health system, allowing you to contribute your knowledge and improve patient care. Thank you for trusting AHPSI.

Dr. Aritmedes Restituyo
Hispanic Association of Health Professionals, Inc. NY – Tel. 732-277-9640