Flow Chart

For local graduates, you will start this process fairly early, mostly before you graduate. So the steps may be slightly different. For those who study abroad, you can start applying once you pass your final year exams.

Provisional Registration with the MMC

Provisional Registration with the MMC is a must before you can start your medical career. This is one of the most important part of your life and will remain so for the rest of your life. Basically, if they don't recognize you as a doctor, you will never be able to work in Malaysia, irrespective of whether you're in public or private sector.

To apply you will need a handful of supporting documents. Yes, A HANDFUL.

Taken directly from the MMC website (Click here for the checklist)

• Form 4 of the Medical Act 1971 for Provisional Registration application form;
• 2 passport size photos;
• A Certified copy of Basic Medical Degree
• A Certified copy of your transcript encompassing the results of whole training persiod
• A Certified copy of ‘Bonafide Student Certificate’ – Applicable only to graduates from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
• A Certified copy of Identity Card or passport;
• A Certified copy of birth certificate;
• A Certified copy of SPM/MCE or equivalent;
• A RM20 processing fee by money/postal order payable to The Registrar Medical Practitioner

Apart from the documents above, the following documents need to be submitted:

Local graduates:
The original Dean’s letter (Basically a letter that says you've graduated in good standing, especially for those who's graduation will be in a later date or have not receive their medical degree yet)

Overseas graduates:

• For graduates from Indian institutions - A Certified copy of Bonafide Student and Rotating Internship;
• For graduates from Indonesian institutions - A Certified copy of Sarjana Kedokteran and Ijazah Kedokteran;

The FORM 4 can be downloaded here.

http://mmc.gov.my/v1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=89

It has two parts, the application itself and the Fitness to Practice Declaration Form.

It contains a checklist as well.

And then post the entire thing to:

The Registrar of Medical Practitioners,

Malaysian Medical Council,

Block B, Ground Floor,

Jalan Cenderasari,

50590 KUALA LUMPUR

NOTE:

I recommend that you courier it. It's not something you would want to risk losing or damage through standard post.

I suggest you keep a copy of the filled form so you know what you declared, if they happen to call you for a hearing or something.

The application form should be completed in Block Capitals, preferably type-written.

Name as printed in the NRIC or PASSPORT.

I strongly recommend that you put an address that is your permanent residence, not hostel or rented housing. Because any communication from them will be via post. So once they process your application they will post the Provisional Registration Certificate to your address written in the form. So if you are moving out from your hostel or rented housing in the near future after sending this application please put your home address.

For local graduates you need SPM. Period. If you've taken O'levels/IGCSE. You need to take SPM Bahasa Malaysia. (This applies to SPA and KKM application as well)

Getting into Housemanship Training in Malaysia

Finally, medical school is over. Graduating from medical school with a MBBS degree has been one of the greatest moments in my life so far. The sense of accomplishment, the pride and joy that you felt when you were awarded your degree during the congregation ceremony. The proud looks that you see from your loved ones. The look of assurance from your fellow lecturers and clinicians. Moments that will stay with me forever. I believe the experience you had must be somewhat similar too.

Now back to reality again. Once you have graduated from medical school, you must complete 2 years training in the public sector, also known as Housemanship, in order to obtain Full registration with the MMC. Why ? and How ? You may ask.

Snippet from an old news paper article

So, There's 3 things you need to know.

1. Malaysian Medical Council (MMC)

2. Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam (SPA)
3. Kementrian Kesihatan Malaysia KKM)

1. Malaysian Medical Council (MMC)

All doctors in Malaysia are regulated by the MMC. Like how lawyers are regulated by the Bar Council. So its a body that oversees all doctors that are practicing in Malaysia. Once you've graduated, your school should have informed you about getting yourself registered with the MMC. Since you are now considered a professional, a doctor, you then need to let MMC know this and apply for "Provisional registration". 

Provisional registration is like "half-a-license". It just allows you to work as a doctor under the Housemanship training programme. This is ensure you get adequate training and clinical experience before they let you venture out. 

2. Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam (SPA)

Also known as, Public Services Commission. Housemanship training is provided by the government. Thus you will have to become a civil servant. Once you've obtain your MMC Provisional registration, you will then apply to SPA to become a doctor for the public sector. 

With the provisional registration certificate, SPA will be able to acknowledge you as a doctor, and appoint you as a civil servant working in the Health care sector. In which you will be given a rank within the civil service, known as Pegawai Perubatan UD41, this rank will determine your salary.

3. Kementrian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM)

Once you have the offer letter from SPA offering you the post as Pegawai Perubatan UD41, you will then need to focus your attention to the Ministry of Health. They will be responsible in placing you in one of the many Housemanship training hospitals located throughout Malaysia. You can choose up to 3 hospitals that you like the most in the application form, but whether you will get any of them mostly depends on whether there's any availability at that point in time. The results will be out before you start your training and you be given a chance to appeal.

In summary, after getting your MBBS degree, you have to apply to 3 different bodies in this order, MMC, SPA then KKM. Because you will need your MMC provisional registration certificate as a supporting document when applying to SPA and KKM.

I wish you all the best DR !

PS: Will explain the details of each part in later posts.