Eligibility for taking the Licensing Examination is governed by section 7A of the Medical Registration Ordinance (“MRO”), Cap. 161 of the Laws of Hong Kong.
The Licensing Examination is held twice annually and comprises the following 3 parts :
Part I : Examination in Professional Knowledge
This consists of two papers, each of which comprises 120 multiple-choice questions. It is designed to test candidates’ professional knowledge in Basic Sciences, Medical Ethics/ Community Medicine, Medicine, Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Psychiatry, Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Questions are in both English and Chinese.
Part II : Proficiency Test in Medical English
This is a written English paper designed to test whether candidates’ command of English is adequate for professional purposes. Questions are in English.
Part III : Clinical Examination
This is designed to test candidates’ ability to apply professional knowledge to clinical problems in Medicine, Surgery (including cases of Orthopaedic Surgery), Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics. Candidates can answer in English, Cantonese or Putonghua (choice to be made in application form).
Each candidate must pass Part I and Part II Examinations before applying to sit for Part III.
After passing Part III examination, any person who wishes to be registered as a medical practitioner under section 14 or 14C of the MRO shall complete, to the satisfaction of the Council, such period of assessment as the Council may determine (not exceeding 12 months) in an approved hospital or in an approved institution. During the period of assessment, he/she will receive clinical instructions to familiarize himself/herself with the local medical system and the commonly found diseases. Upon successful completion of the period of assessment and fulfilment of other relevant requirements, he/she is eligible:
(1) to apply for full registration as a medical practitioner under section 14 of the MRO if he/she has taken the Licensing Examination in accordance with section 7A(1)(b)(i) of the MRO; or
(2) to apply for special registration as a medical practitioner under section 14C of the MRO if he/she has taken the Licensing Examination in accordance with section 7A(1)(b)(ii) of the MRO.