Top 5 Countries for Healthcare Professionals- Licensing Exams, Salary Insights and More

Nurses

NCLEX-RN (for Registered Nurses)

NCSBN / Provincial Nursing Regulators

National exam for RN licensure (except Quebec)

CPNRE (for Practical Nurses)

Assessment Strategies Inc. (ASI) / Provincial Colleges

Required for becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Pharmacists

PEBC Evaluating Exam (for international grads)

Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)

Initial assessment for internationally trained pharmacists

PEBC Qualifying Exam – Part I (MCQ) & Part II (OSCE)

PEBC

Required to become licensed and register with provincial pharmacy boards

Doctors

MCCQE Part I

Medical Council of Canada (MCC)

National written exam for medical licensure eligibility

NAC OSCE (for IMGs applying to residency)

MCC

Clinical skills exam required before CaRMS match for international medical graduates

CaRMS Residency Match (not an exam)

Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)

Required step to enter postgraduate medical training in Canada

Dentists

AFK – Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge

National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)

First exam for internationally trained dentists

ACJ – Assessment of Clinical Judgement (if applicable)

NDEB

Part of equivalency process (may be replaced by NDECC)

ACS/NDECC – Clinical Skills or Comprehensive Clinical Exam

NDEB

Practical assessment for foreign-trained dentists

Written & OSCE Exams (for Canadian grads)

NDEB

Required for all Canadian and foreign-qualified dentists after equivalency pathway

Physiotherapists

Written Component (Multiple Choice Exam)

Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR)

Part 1 of national exam for physiotherapy licensure

Clinical Component (OSCE) (currently paused or under revision in some provinces)

CAPR

Practical assessment required for full licensure (varies by province during transitions)

Nurse (Registered Nurse)

$42,500 (₹3,656,550) (entry-level graduate nurse)

$90,000–100,000+ (₹7,745,400 – ₹8,606,000) (senior or specialty roles)

Pharmacist

 $80,000–82,000 (₹6,884,800 – ₹7,056,920) (new graduates)

$105,000–120,000+ (₹9,036,300 – ₹10,327,200+) (experienced / management / clinical roles)

Physiotherapist

 $55,000 (₹4,733,300) (entry-level)

$90,000–96,000 (₹7,745,400 – ₹8,261,760) (senior/high-end roles)

Doctor (Family physician / Specialist)

 $200,000–230,000 (₹17,212,000 – ₹19,793,800) (family physician fee‑for‑service)

$300,000–400,000+ (₹25,818,000 – ₹34,424,000+) (specialists, rural/negotiated rates)

Dentist

 $100,000–110,000 ( ₹8,606,000 – ₹9,466,600) (early-career/general practice)

$150,000–250,000+ (₹12,909,000 – ₹21,515,000+) (owners, specialists, high-volume private)

Nurses

• Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) including NCLEX-RN & OSCE 

• Possible streamlined pathway for certain IQRNs

NMBA & AHPRA (via ANMAC)

Evaluates cognitive & clinical competence for internationally qualified nurses (IQRNs)

Pharmacists

• Initial Skills Assessment 

• OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) from Mar 2025  (Previously KAPS until Nov 2024)

• Intern examination 

Australian Pharmacy Council

Multiple-choice exam assessing readiness and knowledge for overseas-qualified pharmacists

Doctors (IMGs)

• AMC CAT MCQ Exam 

• AMC Clinical Exam or Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) 

• 12 months supervised practice

Australian Medical Council & Medical Board of Australia

Standard pathway for IMGs to gain general medical registration in Australia

Dentists

• Initial Assessment 

• ADC Written Exam (Part 1) 

• Practical/Clinical Exam (Part 2)

Australian Dental Council & Dental Board

Full equivalency assessment for overseas dentists to register and practise in Australia

Physiotherapists

• Eligibility Assessment + Cultural Safety Training

• APC Written Assessment (Remote) 

• Clinical Assessment

Australian Physiotherapy Council & AHPRA

Three-stage pathway for internationally qualified physiotherapists to gain general registration

Nurse (Registered Nurse, public sector)

AUD 72,000 (₹3,974,400)  (e.g., NSW first-year 71,900, QLD 79,000)

Senior roles up to ~AUD 100,000+ (₹5,520,000) (CNS or NP roles: NP average ~143,500)

Pharmacist

AUD 62,000 (₹3,422,400

)(community/hospital entry-level)

Up to ~AUD 114,000 (₹6,292,800

) (clinical roles); specialist/consultant: AUD 110–130k+

Physiotherapist

AUD 60,000 (₹3,312,000) (entry-level public/private)

Senior/consultant roles up to ~AUD 90,000 (₹4,968,000

)

Doctor (Junior, Intern/RMO/RMO)

AUD 65,000–95,000 (₹3,588,000 – ₹5,244,000

) (state-dependent; WA 90k)

Senior registrars or specialists: AUD 160,000+ (₹8,832,000+

)  (e.g. WA senior registrar up to 293,000)

Dentist (public/hospital or Queensland associate)

AUD 70,000–90,000 (₹3,864,000 – ₹4,968,000

) entry-level

Specialist or practice owners: AUD 120,000+ (₹6,624,000+)

Doctors (Ärzte)

• Fachsprachprüfung (C1 medical German) 

• Kenntnisprüfung (if training not equivalent)

State Medical Chamber (Landes­ärztekammer) / Bezirksregierung

Language & medical knowledge assessment for Approbation (full license)

Dentists (Zahnärzte)

• Fachsprachprüfung (C1 dental German) 

• Kenntnisprüfung (oral‑practical) if foreign diploma not equivalent

Ministry + Dental Council (Bundeszahnärztekammer)

Language and equivalency assessment to grant full dental Approbation

Pharmacists

• Fachsprachenprüfung (C1 technical German) 

• Equivalency review (no standard exam)

Regional Chamber of Pharmacists (Landesapothekerkammer)

Ensures language competence and recognizes foreign pharmacy degree for Approbation

Physiotherapists

• Recognition of qualification 

• If deficiencies: theoretical + practical exams (state‑specific) + German language check

Health Ministry of federal state + professional authorities

Ensures training equivalence, clinical competence and language proficiency

Nurses (Pflege­­kräfte)

• Recognition of qualification 

• If gaps: Zusatzprüfungen (theory/practice) plus language proficiency (at least B2/C1)

State health authorities/nursing chambers

Confirms equivalence and clinical competence to register and work as nurse in Germany

Nurse

€28,000–32,000 (₹2.80–3.20 million) 

€40,000–50,000 (₹4.00–5.00 million

) (specialized roles, ICU)

Physiotherapist

€30,000–35,000 (₹3.00–3.50 million

) 

€50,000–65,000 (₹5.00–6.50 million

) (senior/head roles)

Dentist

€34,000–42,000 (₹3.40–4.20 million

) (assistant stage)

€52,000–80,000 (₹8.00–11.00 million+

 (employed); > €240,000 (self-employed/practice owner gross revenue)

Doctor (Assistenzarzt)

€60,000 (₹6.00 million

) (year 1 resident)

€80,000 (consultant) to €110,000+  (₹5.20–8.00 million; ₹24 + million) (attending/department head) per year + on-call supplements

Pharmacist

€40,000–50,000 (₹4.00–5.00 million )

€60,000–70,000+ (₹6.00–7.00 million+ )(senior positions)

Nurses & Midwives

• Test of Competence – CBT (Computer-Based Test) 

• OSCE (practical clinical exam in UK) 

• IELTS/B 7 or OET B English proficiency

Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC)

For overseas-trained nurses/midwives to register and practise in UK.

Pharmacists

• HCPC Registration Assessment: – Part 1 (calculations free-text) – Part 2 (multiple choice patient care scenarios) 

• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/OET)

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Post-MPharm (UK) or post-OSPAP + 52‑week pre‑reg training to qualify for UK registration.

Doctors

• (International Medical Graduates): pass PLAB 1 & 2, or Acceptable postgraduate qualification; plus IELTS/OET

General Medical Council (GMC)

Ensures overseas-qualified doctors meet UK clinical and communication standards to register.

Dentists

• Overseas Registration Exam (ORE): Part 1 (written knowledge) + Part 2 (clinical skills OSCE) 

• IELTS/OET English test

General Dental Council (GDC)

For non‑EEA dentists to demonstrate equivalence to UK graduates and gain registration.

Physiotherapists

• Qualification recognition via UK ENIC 

• Additional theory/practical assessment if gaps found 

• IELTS/OET English requirement

Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Validates overseas physiotherapists match UK standards for HCPC registration.

Nurse / Physiotherapist / Pharmacist(Agenda for Change Band 5–6)

Band 5 Entry (£31,049/yr) (₹3,197,047)

Band 6 Top up to ~£44,962/yr (₹4,631,986) 

Senior Nurses / Advanced Clinicians(Band 7–8)

Band 7 entry £47,810/yr (₹4,925,430)

Band 8d top ~£105,337 to £109,179 (₹10,846,811–₹11,237,237)

Doctor (Junior Grade: F1/SHO)

Foundation Year 1: £32,398/yr (₹3,336,074)

Foundation Year 2 / CT2-ST1: £43,923/yr (₹4,523,969); Specialty Training (e.g. ST6–8): up to ~£63,152/yr

Doctor (Consultant / GP)

Starting consultant year: £93,666/yr (₹9,650,598); GP starting: £68,975/yr

Experienced consultants up to £126,281/yr (₹7,103,425); GP senior range to £104,085/yr. Private practice may boost total to £200k–£600k

Dentist (NHS roles equivalent)

Junior dentist salary similar to junior doctor (£32k–£44k) (₹3,296,000–₹4,532,000)

Dental consultants/specialists follow similar consultant scales (£93k–£126k+) (₹9,650,598–₹12,998,843+)

Nurses

• Qualification recognition 

• Aptitude Test (2-day theory + clinical exam)

• IELTS (7.0 overall) or OET B

Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

Ensures foreign-trained nurses meet Irish competency standards before entry to the Register

Pharmacists

• Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR): – Stage 1: Qualification recognition – Stage 2: Holistic review – Stage 3: Equivalence Exam (MCQ + OSCE) 

• English proficiency

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI)

Evaluates and tests non‑EU/EEA pharmacy qualifications for registration.

Dentists

• Qualification review 

• Dental Council Exam: Part 1 (bench + written) + Part 2 (clinical/practical OSCE) 

• IELTS 7.0 or OET B

Dental Council of Ireland

Assesses clinical skills and knowledge of foreign-trained dentists.

Physiotherapists

• Qualification recognition by CORU 

• Additional theory/practical assessment if gaps identified

• English proficiency test

CORU – Physiotherapists Registration Board

Ensures overseas-trained physiotherapists meet Irish standards.

Doctors

• Primary-source verification via EPIC (non‑EU qualifications) 

• Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES): MCQ + clinical OSCE • English proficiency

Irish Medical Council (IMC)

Evaluates knowledge, clinical skills, and communication for registration.

Nurse (HSE staff nurse)

€32,200 (₹2,930,200

)

mid-career: €40,000 – 45,000 (₹3,640,000 – ₹4,095,000

)

Physiotherapist

€37,000 (₹3,367,000)

€45,000 – 50,000 (₹4,095,000 – ₹4,550,000)

Dentist (associate)

€47,400 (₹4,313,400)

€75,000+ (₹6,825,000+) (private practice)

Pharmacist

€40,000 – 48,000 (₹3,640,000 – ₹4,368,000)

Mid-level: €50,000‑60,000 (₹4,550,000 – ₹6,370,000+); up to €70,000+ senior

Doctor (Intern / NCHD)

€35,000 – 45,000 (₹3,185,000 – ₹4,095,000)

Registrars/Senior HO: €60,000 – 80,000+ (₹5,460,000 – ₹7,280,000+)

Doctor (Consultant / GP)

€76,000 (GP) (₹6,916,000) / €100,000+ (₹9,100,000+) (Consultant)

Consultant: €150,000 – 200,000+ (₹13,650,000 – ₹18,200,000) (public), up to €250K+( ₹22,750,000+) including private earnings