In a move designed to shore up quality standards for clinical care across the country, two key Dominican government ministries have implemented new, more rigorous regulations governing the certification of foreign academic credentials held by local health care workers. The joint resolution was signed by the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), with targeted provisions placing extra scrutiny on medical specialty degrees and credentials earned through online or hybrid learning pathways.
The core goal of the updated regulatory framework is to guarantee that every health professional practicing in the Dominican Republic meets the nation’s strict benchmarks for both academic preparation and hands-on clinical skill development. Under the new rules, clear, standardized evaluation protocols have been established for all foreign credentials, with explicit requirements covering cumulative academic workload, mandatory supervised clinical experience, demonstrated professional competencies, and formal equivalency to matching domestic degree programs.
A standout addition to the policy is the set of specific requirements tailored to degrees earned through remote or blended learning programs outside the country. This targeted attention stems from the widely recognized need for in-person practical training for medical specialties, where hands-on skill building is non-negotiable for safe patient care. Speaking on the new initiative, Health Minister Víctor Atallah and Higher Education Minister Rafael Santos emphasized that the tighter rules will strengthen systemic oversight of clinical practice, directly protect patient safety, and elevate the overall quality of medical services available to Dominican communities. The resolution went into immediate effect the moment it was signed, with both ministries set to collaborate on full implementation and ongoing enforcement of the new standards.