New graduate route
Two years of accredited medical internship followed by twelve months of remunerated community service.
FCPrep Career Hub
Plan your next move in medicine
Find official medical opportunities and follow practical, source-linked registration pathways from South Africa.
Official-source linksDoctor-focused listingsEditorially reviewed pathways
International medical graduate guide
South Africa South Africa
Regulator
Open regulator
HPCSA and the National Department of Health
Complete the statutory training sequence, then move into independent practice or specialist training.
Last editorial review: 1 September 2026
Choose the right route
Common route options
Specialist route
Enter an approved registrar post, complete university and CMSA requirements, then apply for specialist registration with HPCSA.
Before you apply
Eligibility checks
- Confirm that the primary medical qualification is recognised for the intended HPCSA category.
- Maintain valid identification, qualification records and certificates of good standing where applicable.
- International graduates should obtain an individual HPCSA eligibility decision before relying on the locally qualified sequence.
Evidence file
Documents to prepare
- Identity document or passport
- Medical degree and academic record
- Internship rotation evidence
- Community-service completion evidence
- HPCSA registration documents
- Certificates of good standing where requested
Sequence
Step-by-step route
- 1
Apply to the National Department of Health Internship and Community Service Programme for an allocation cycle.
- 2
Complete the two-year medical internship in accredited rotations and retain every rotation assessment.
- 3
Update HPCSA registration to community-service medical practitioner when the internship requirements are accepted.
- 4
Complete twelve months of allocated community service at an approved public facility.
- 5
Apply to HPCSA for independent-practice registration after community-service completion is recorded.
- 6
For specialisation, obtain a registrar post and university training place, complete the relevant CMSA fellowship and submit specialist-registration evidence.
No general licensing examination applies to every South African graduate. International graduates and specialist applicants may face board-specific assessment requirements.
At least three years after graduation for the mandatory two-year internship and one-year community-service sequence. Specialist training adds the programme duration and examination timetable.
Indicative public-sector doctor packages commonly span roughly R1.0m–R1.7m per year across medical-officer and specialist grades before role-specific allowances. Estimate reviewed 1 September 2026; confirm the exact OSD grade in each advert.
No immigration step applies to South African citizens. Foreign graduates need lawful status and an HPCSA category that permits the proposed training or employment.
Budget
Fees and estimated costs
HPCSA registration and annual fees
OfficialUse the Medical, Dental and Medical Science fee table for the exact registration category.
Check current fee ↗Training and relocation
EstimateBudget for document certification, travel and relocation where the allocation is outside your home province.
Check current fee ↗Evidence
