For medical fields like MBBS, if someone gets a degree from another country, do they need to clear the MCI license exam to practice in India in UK/Australia?
No, graduates with an MBBS from the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, or New Zealand are exempt from the FMGE screening exam under National Medical Commission rules. You still need a recognized degree, a valid license abroad, and a mandatory 12-month rotating internship before Indian registration is granted.
If you are chasing an MBBS in the UK or Australia and worried about clearing a licensing exam back home, here is the good news: you are exempt from the screening test, though a few other steps still stand between you and Indian registration.
Countries Exempt From The FMGE Screening Exam
| Requirement | What It Means For You |
|---|---|
| Exempt countries | UK, Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand |
| Recognized institution | Your degree must come from a university recognized by that country's medical regulator, such as the GMC in the UK or the AMC in Australia |
| Valid license | You must be eligible for or hold a valid license to practice in the country where you graduated |
| Mandatory internship | A 12-month rotating internship at an approved Indian hospital before permanent registration |
What Could Change Next
- India is moving toward the National Exit Test (NExT), a common qualifying exam for both Indian final-year MBBS students and foreign medical graduates
- Exemption rules for the five listed countries could be revised once NExT is fully rolled out
- Keep checking National Medical Commission updates as your graduation date approaches
My Advice
Lock in your choice of UK or Australia now for the FMGE exemption, but do not treat it as a free pass. Start your internship paperwork early, keep your degree recognition documents ready, and track NMC's NExT announcements every six months so a policy shift does not catch you off guard.
Do you even need IELTS for Australia?
Which test, what band, or whether you can skip it. Sorted in one free session.
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