This page provides information on applying for recognition of your specialist qualification in Israel, the eligibility requirements, and the special provisions available to new immigrants.
If you immigrated to Israel and worked as a nurse practitioner abroad, you may apply for recognition of your specialty and practice in Israel, provided that your specialty is recognized in Israel. View the list of active specialties in Israel
Specialty recognition is granted by the Nursing Division after reviewing your education, training, and professional experience, in accordance with Israel’s professional requirements.
New immigrants may be eligible for certain accommodations in the recognition process, as described below.
Accommodations for new immigrants
To improve the recognition process for new immigrants, the following accommodations have been introduced:
- Simplified process for obtaining a permanent certificate for clinical nurse specialists and midwives with at least one year of experience in their specialty.
- Exemption from Hebrew language proficiency requirements for graduates of the advanced Hebrew course offered by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
- Option to register through the Healthcare Professions Portal without an Israeli ID card.
Recognition process
Professional recognition allows you to practice in Israel as a nurse practitioner.
To receive recognition, you must meet the required criteria and submit all documents listed on this page.
After receiving your documents, the Professional Development Department of the Nursing Division will review your education, training, and professional experience and determine the extent to which they meet the specialty training requirements in Israel.
After completing the review, you will receive notification of the results and instructions for continuing the licensing process.
Important: You may register as a nurse practitioner in Israel only after:
- Receiving recognition of your professional status.
- Successfully passing the government licensing examination for nurse practitioners.
Prerequisites for specialty recognition
To apply for recognition as a nurse practitioner in Israel, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You hold a valid permanent registration certificate as a registered nurse in Israel.
- You received a specialty registration certificate in the country where you completed your training (in countries where specialty licensing does not exist, the application will be reviewed by the Nursing Division).
- You worked as a nurse practitioner in your country of training for at least one year during the past 10 years.
- You completed a master's or doctoral degree in nursing at an academic institution abroad that is recognized by the Committee for Evaluation of Foreign Academic Degrees of the Ministry of Education in Israel.
Degree program requirements
The advanced nursing degree program must meet all of the following requirements:
- The field of study must be a specialty that exists in Israel.
- Program scope: at least 30 credits in a thesis track or 40 credits in a non-research track (without a thesis).
- At least 300 hours of clinical coursework in the specialty.
- At least 400 hours of clinical training in the specialty.
Important:
- The eligibility review for recognition as a nurse practitioner is conducted simultaneously with the eligibility review for recognition as a registered nurse in Israel.
- All required documents for both processes must be submitted together.
Information about applying for professional recognition for nurses
Information about the recognition process for registered nurses trained abroad
Required documents for submitting an application
Please note: Submit copies only. Original documents will not be returned.
Attach the following documents:
Professional and academic documents
- Valid registration certificate as a registered nurse in Israel.
- Specialty registration certificate from the country where you completed your training (if specialty licensing does not exist in that country, the application will be reviewed based on the available documents).
- Academic degree certificate (at least a master's degree in nursing).
- Confirmation from the Committee for Evaluation of Foreign Academic Degrees regarding degree equivalency.
Education and professional experience details
- Detailed transcript, including:
- Courses studied.
- Grades.
- Theoretical and practical study hours.
- Official certificates confirming employment as a nurse practitioner, including:
- Employment start date.
- Employment end date.
- Job description.
Additional documents
It is recommended to attach documents demonstrating professional activity in your specialty, including:
- Professional training courses.
- Research and publications.
- Participation in professional conferences.
- Staff training and education.
- Contribution to the development of the specialty.
- Professional recommendations and evaluations.
Personal documents
- Copy of your ID card, including the appendix, or a passport with an Israeli work visa.
- Copy of your immigrant certificate or returning resident certificate.
- Updated resume, including current contact details:
- Residential address.
- Mobile phone number for receiving messages.
- Active email address.
Please note: Emails with a "ru" domain ending cannot receive messages. It is recommended to use a Gmail, Walla, Hotmail, or similar email address.
Translation and verification of documents
- Documents in English may be submitted without translation.
- Documents in other languages must be translated into Hebrew and accompanied by a certified translation by an authorized Israeli notary confirming that the translation is accurate and faithful to the original.
Submitting documents
Documents in English: Scanned documents (in one file) may be sent by email to: siud-pituah@MOH.GOV.IL
Translated documents: Send by mail to:
Professional Development Department
Nursing Division, Ministry of Health
39 Yirmiyahu Street, P.O. Box 1176, Jerusalem
Postal code 9101002
Please note: At any stage of the process, if information is found to be incorrect or unreliable, eligibility for professional recognition may be revoked.