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What Is the IMLE Exam? A Complete Guide for Medical Graduates

Updated: 6 days ago

The IMLE (Israel Medical Licensing Examination) is a standardized medical licensing exam designed to assess the knowledge and clinical reasoning skills of doctors who wish to practice medicine in Israel.

It ensures that all practicing physicians, regardless of where they were trained, have the clinical knowledge and skills required for safe medical practice.


This guide explains everything you need to know about the IMLE exam, who must take it, exam format, tested subjects, official reference books, preparation strategy, and what happens after you pass.


Cartoon man at a podium in an empty purple auditorium, presenting "All about the IMLE exam" on a screen. He looks cheerful.

Who Must Take the IMLE?


1. Foreign Medical Graduates Without a Recognized Internship

Graduates who have not completed a recognized internship or residency abroad must pass the IMLE (or an approved equivalent, such as the USMLE) to become eligible for the mandatory one-year clinical internship (Staj) in Israel.


2. Foreign Medical Graduates Who Completed an Internship Abroad

Even if you completed an internship abroad, you may still need to pass the IMLE to:

  • Validate your medical credentials

  • Become eligible for a permanent medical license in Israel

This ensures that all practicing physicians meet the standards of the Israeli Ministry of Health.


3. Graduates Seeking Residency or Extended Clinical Training

If you are applying to:

  • A residency program, or

  • A clinical training program longer than one year

The IMLE is typically required as part of eligibility verification. Residency programs and hospitals use the exam to ensure candidates have consistent clinical competency.


4. Graduates From Unrecognized Medical Schools

Graduates from medical schools not recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Health must take the IMLE regardless of internship or residency status.

School recognition is a critical factor in determining exam eligibility.

IMLE Exemptions: Who Might Not Need the Exam?


Some physicians may qualify for exemption from the IMLE, but these cases are strictly evaluated by the Israeli Ministry of Health.


Common exemption scenarios include:

  1. Passing both USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK

  2. Doctors who have completed a recognized internship and graduated from medical schools in:

    1. United States

    2. Canada

    3. United Kingdom

    4. South Africa

    5. Australia

    6. New Zealand

    7. France


Key Points About IMLE Exemptions

  • Exemptions are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Israeli Ministry of Health.

  • Eligibility depends on several factors, including:

    • Country of training

    • Recognition status of the medical school

    • Internship and clinical experience

    • Prior examination history

  • Even if an exemption applies, other requirements, such as completing the clinical internship (Staj), may still be mandatory.

  • For the most accurate and up-to-date guidance, always consult:

⚠️ Even if an exemption is granted, other requirements, such as completing the mandatory clinical internship (Staj) may still apply before receiving a full medical license.

IMLE Exam Format and Passing Score


The Israeli Medical Licensing Examination (IMLE) is a computerized, multiple-choice exam held twice a year in Tel Aviv for foreign-trained physicians seeking medical licensure in Israel.


Exam Structure

  • Format: Fully computerized, multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

  • Sections: Two parts — Part A and Part B

  • Number of Questions: Approximately 110 questions per part, totaling around 220 questions

  • Timing: Each part is 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a total testing time of 4 hours and 30 minutes

  • Breaks: There is no official break between the two parts; candidates typically remain in the hall during the transition

  • Passing Score: A score of 60% or higher is required to pass the IMLE

Languages: Offered in Hebrew, English, Arabic, Russian, and French

⚠️ Oral exams, if required for other licensing stages (e.g., internship exemptions), are usually conducted in Hebrew only

What Subjects Are Tested on the IMLE?


The IMLE focuses on core clinical disciplines that are essential for day-to-day medical practice. The main subject areas include:

1. Internal Medicine

2. Pediatrics

3. Surgery

4. Obstetrics & Gynecology

5. Psychiatry


Official Reference Textbooks (What the Ministry Expects)

The licensing authority publishes an official list of core textbooks that represent the source material for IMLE content. These are not optional. Studying from these texts ensures you cover what officially matters.

Subject

Reference Textbook

Internal Medicine

Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (21st Edition)

Pediatrics

Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics (21st Edition)

Surgery

Sabiston Textbook of Surgery (21st Edition)

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Lange Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology (12th Edition)

Psychiatry

Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry (11th Edition)

⚠️ Certain chapters in Pediatrics are excluded (e.g., healthy infant, infant resuscitation). Always check the latest official IMLE reference list before deep study.


If you’ve already started your IMLE prep, I recommend checking out Dr. Safadi’s “IMLE Exam First-Time Pass”. He shares his experience with preparation, the resources he used, challenges he faced, and more. It’s a valuable insight to see how someone before you approached the exam.

Video: Btalk podcast, session 1 - How Dr. Safadi Prepared for the IMLE Exam



Next Steps After Passing the IMLE


After successfully passing the IMLE, or receiving an exemption through an accepted equivalent such as the USMLE, the next essential step is completing the clinical internship (Staj).


Clinical Internship (Staj) Overview

  • Mandatory Supervised Training: Provides hands-on clinical experience under supervision.

  • Licensing Requirement: Completion is required to obtain a full Israeli medical license.

  • Preparation for Independent Practice: Equips you with the skills and confidence needed for safe and effective independent clinical practice in Israel.


Top 8 IMLE Takeaways for Foreign Medical Graduates


  1. The IMLE is Israel’s official medical licensing exam for foreign-trained doctors.

  2. Required for most graduates without recognized internships or from unrecognized medical schools.

  3. Exemptions may be available for USMLE passers or graduates from recognized medical schools in select countries.

  4. Exam format: Computerized MCQ exam, two parts, ~220 questions, held twice a year in Tel Aviv

  5. Passing score >60% and available in English, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, and French.

  6. Core subjects: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, OB/GYN, Psychiatry.

  7. Reference textbooks: Ministry-approved texts such as Harrison’s, Nelson, Sabiston, Lange, and Kaplan & Sadock.

  8. After passing, completing the mandatory clinical internship (Staj) is required for a full Israeli medical license.


Recommended Articles for IMLE Exam Prep


6- IMLE Exam Results: How Scores Are Calculated and Released

7- Best IMLE Course to pass first-time

8- Top IMLE Exam Course: Dr.Mahdi talk about his experieince with Brocali platform

9- Top IMLE Exam Study Resources to Help You Pass



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