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limited
b. “Non-exam pathway”: individuals applying through the ‘non-exam pathway’ to obtain limited registration in Hong Kong (that makes up just close to 1% of our registered medical
1
practitioner workforce ) are not required to sit the MCHK Licensing Examination.
(i) While individuals applying for limited registration are not required to sit the MCHK Licensing Examination, they also do not eventually progress to full registration. This
do not
contrasts with a clear progression track leading to full registration for ‘non-exam pathway’ observed in other jurisdictions such as Singapore - a place where a substantial
number of foreign-trained doctors obtain full registration to practice via a ‘non-exam pathway’. Doctors permitted to practice through the ‘non-exam pathway’ make up
approximately 40% of registered medical practitioners holding valid practicing certificates. Generally, more experienced individuals could directly apply for conditional
registration in Singapore using an acceptable primary qualification (listed in the ‘Second Schedule’ of close to 160 institutions in 28 jurisdictions), postgraduate qualification
(close to 100 medical qualifications recognised by the Singapore Medical Council) or specialist qualification (accredited specialist by the Specialists Accreditation Board
Singapore). Conditionally registered individuals undergo supervised practice in public or private settings for a minimal of 2 years before being considered for full registration
full
without sitting a local licensing examination. Also providing ‘non-exam pathways’ to full registration include Australia (e.g. through the Competent Authority Pathway) and
the UK (e.g. through demonstration of a recognised postgraduate qualification, sponsorship by recognised local body or eligibility for the specialist or general practitioner
registers). Consideration needs to be given to allow progression from limited to full registration in Hong Kong on condition that the doctor has practiced in the public
sector, particularly in public hospitals, for a set number of years. This also eventually allows individuals opting for the ‘non-exam’ option to practice at venues other than
those stated under the 6 approved promulgations for limited registration, potentially increasing the attractiveness of practicing in Hong Kong. The Hospital Authority should
also consider hiring general practioners through limited registration.

(ii) Building on current criteria, acceptable medical qualifications for obtaining limited registration should be clearly listed. The list could, for example, comprise of the world’s
top 50 medical schools (many of which are higher ranking than our local medical schools) from which qualifications should be obtained. Individuals with a medical
qualification from listed institutions could eventually progress from limited to full registration through the ‘non-exam pathway’. Permanent residents of the HKSAR with the
right of abode who have received medical education from listed institutions should be prioritised.

(iii) Singapore allows less experienced medical graduates with an approved primary qualification from the ‘Second Schedule’ (list of close to 160 institutions in 28 jurisdictions
that include qualifications from The University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong) to apply for provisional registration for employment as a
‘Postgraduate Year 1 trainee ’. These individuals are required to complete a 12-month internship at an approved hospital in Singapore before becoming eligible for conditional
and eventually full
registration. No similar pathway or progression track is currently available in Hong Kong. Introduction of a similar progression track in Hong Kong
should be considered.

1 Note: some individuals in our medical professional workforce have medical qualifications of recognised Commonwealth countries and were recognised for registration by MCHK before September 1996. From that time,
foreign-trained doctors (apart from those registered under the transitional provision detailed in section 35 of the Medical Registration Ordinance) must pass the MCHK-administered Licensing Examination and complete
an internship assessment before they become eligible for full registration to practice in Hong Kong.