The National Medical Council announced that the new assessment will begin in 2027. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Mai Anh, Head of the Office of the National Medical Council, said the exam is meant to standardise medical practice quality, protect patient safety and follow the 2023 Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. The council stresses that the test does not question the quality of existing training.

Two exam sessions will be organised in 2027. The first session is scheduled for March, with applications opening in January, while the second session will be held in December, with applications starting in September.

After finishing the first year of residency, doctors must sit for the competency assessment in one of four practice scopes – General Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Odonto‑Stomatology or Preventive Medicine. Passing the exam grants a five‑year practice licence and allows the doctor to continue specialist training. The licence must be renewed every five years through Continuous Medical Education (CME).

In short, the new competency exams will become a mandatory checkpoint for all resident doctors from 2027 onward, linking licencing, training progress and ongoing education. Understanding these steps now will help you plan your career path and keep your practice compliant.