KUWAIT CITY, Feb 25: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi has issued a ministerial decree mandating that all doctors and dentists must pass the Kuwait Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) before practicing medicine or dentistry and before appointment as a resident physician or registered assistant.

The decree establishes the KMLE and KDLE as unified national benchmarks to assess the scientific and professional competence required to ensure the highest standards of patient safety and care.

A dedicated KMLE board will be formed within the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations, chaired by the Institute’s Secretary-General and composed of leading figures from the health, academic, and regulatory sectors. The board will oversee examination policies, approve standards, and ensure proper institutional governance.

The decree also reforms the promotion process, removing the comprehensive examination requirement for advancement from resident to registered assistant for those covered by the new licensing system.

The decision is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, with any conflicting regulations officially annulled.