Ministry of Education and Science, Georgia clarifies recognition of 6-year MD (equivalent to MBBS) programs, in accordance with NMC FMGL 2021

This announcement follows a letter of 22 August 2025 (Ministry registration No. 1014543) seeking clarification regarding the Medical Doctor (MD) education program; Ref.: MES4250001082588 — 05 September 2025 - LLC Georgian National University – SEU.

Georgia's medical education quality assurance system is entirely in accordance with international as well as national requirements and standards. All Medical Doctor (MD) educational programs already functioning in the country have been accredited by the LEPL National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), which, in turn, received recognition from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for 10 years in 2018.

In accordance, the assessment of medical programs in Georgia is entirely consistent with WFME procedures and standards, and those of the World Health Organization (WHO) requirements, which guarantee worldwide recognition of qualification and degrees of Medical Doctor (MD) education program granted in Georgia. As a result, diplomas awarded in Georgia are accepted by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and graduates may sit for USMLE exams in the US to begin preparation for post-diploma (residency).

The MD program in Georgia is six years long (360 ECTS). There are theoretical courses and also clinical and practical training. The sixth year is devoted completely to a compulsory internship (internatura). The content and structure of the program are completely in accordance with international norms and is equivalent to the MBBS programs of India and the United Kingdom.

Under Georgia's Medical Practice Law, candidates who have graduated from Medical Doctor (MD) education program (both national and foreign students) are entitled to be engaged as junior doctors without taking an additional examination. Junior doctors work under the leadership of certified specialists; nevertheless, in cases of emergencies, they can provide medical assistance on their own.

Based on the law, Medical Doctor (MD) graduates of the education program are entitled to professional rights regardless of their citizenship status. They can practice as junior doctors in Georgia, and this is wholly consistent with the needs of the National Medical Commission (NMC). Besides, Georgia's medical education system is comprehensively in sync with India's National Medical Commission (NMC) Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations of 2021. Medical Doctor (MD) graduates of the medical education program are permitted to appear for NExT/FMGE exams and resume professional practice in India.

Moreover, all Georgian students—both local and international—are enrolled in the LEPL Education Management Information System (EMIS), which is run by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia. The register keeps records of all students and graduates of the Medical Doctor (MD) education program.