Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy License Conversion

Modified on Wed, 3 Jun at 12:56 PM

Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy License Conversion

Hamarat Rishyonot Beripui BeIsuk, Physioterapia Ve-Klina’ut Tikshoret
המרת רישיונות בריפוי בעיסוק, פיזיותרפיה וקלינאות תקשורת

Foreign-licensed Allied health Professionals such as:

  • Merap’im/Merapot BeIsuk - מרפאים/מרפאות בעיסוק - Occupational Therapists (OT)
  • Physioterapistim/Physioterapistiot - פיזיותרפיסטים/פיזיותרפיסטיות - Physical Therapists (PT)
  • Klinai/Klina’it Tikshoret - קלינאי/קלינאית תקשורת - Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (SLP or ST)

must obtain an Israeli professional license from the Misrad HaBriut - משרד הבריאות - Ministry of Health before they may legally practice in Israel.

The overall process is similar across the three professions, but the required documents, internship standards, and exam details vary.

 What all three professions have in common 

Open a licensing file with the Misrad Habriut

All three professions begin by submitting an application to the Misrad HaBriut’s Health Medical Professions Licensing system for recognition of foreign education and training. Applicants can use the Healthcare Professions Portal to open a licensing file, upload documents, and receive updates.

Submit the required forms and supporting documents

For all three professions, applicants must submit official forms together with identity documents, proof of academic studies, proof of clinical training, and, where relevant, foreign licensure and good-standing documents. The Misrad’s licensing forms are collected in its official medical and health professions licensing files collection (Hebrew)

Have foreign education, training, degrees, and licenses reviewed by the Misrad HaBriut.

After submission, the Ministry reviews the applicant’s foreign studies and clinical training against Israeli professional standards. Based on that review, the Ministry may fully recognize the applicant’s education and training, require additional coursework and/or supervised clinical training, or refuse recognition if the file does not meet minimum requirements.

Follow up and respond to any Misrad HaBriut requests

During the review process, applicants may receive requests for additional documents or clarifications from the Medical Professions Licensing Division. Applicants should monitor messages via the portal, email, or post, provide any requested documents within the specified time-frames, and use the Misrad’s public enquiries unit if they need to confirm receipt or ask procedural questions.

Register for and pass the government licensing exam

Once the Misrad Habriut confirms that the applicant’s education and training are recognized, the applicant becomes eligible to register for the government licensing exam in the relevant profession. Passing the licensing exam is part of the process for all three professions.

The licensing exams are usually only held in Israel on dates and at locations determined by the Misrad; candidates must be present to take the exam in person.

Complete any additional requirements

If the Misrad’s review decision includes conditions, the applicant must complete any required additional supervised clinical training or coursework and then submit proof of completion to the Licensing Division. Only after all conditions are met will the Misrad confirm full eligibility to continue the licensing process.

Pay the required licensing and exam fees

Licensing and exam fees are paid through the Misrad’s official payment service for medical and health professions.

Payment of licensing fees

Take the profession-specific government licensing exam

After registration and fee payment, the applicant takes the Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Speech Therapy licensing exam on the date and under the conditions set by the Misrad. Exam schedules and instructions are published on the relevant profession pages or related exam pages.

Receive your Israeli license and appear in the public register

Once the applicant passes the exam and fulfills all licensing requirements, the Ministry issues the Israeli professional license. Licensed practitioners are listed in the Ministry’s public practitioner register and may legally practice in Israel under the relevant professional title.

Public practitioner register (Hebrew)

The Misrad HaBriut may also require confirmation from the Israel Police that the applicant has no criminal record as part of the final licensing stage

 Details by Profession 

Occupational Therapy

Official Government page

Required forms and documents include:

  • OT required documents page
  • Questionnaire for Health Care Professionals
  • Application form to take the government occupational therapy exam
  • Teudat Zehut - תעודת זהות - Israeli ID or passport
  • Occupational therapy diploma or official confirmation of degree completion
  • Official certification of OT study dates
  • Proof of internship totaling 1,000 hours, or proof of at least one year of supervised overseas work experience as an occupational therapist, as recognized and approved by the Misrad HaBriut
  • Valid foreign professional license, where applicable
  • Certificate of Good Standing from the relevant foreign licensing authority, where applicable
  • Work confirmations from relevant institutions, where applicable
  • Name-change documentation, if relevant
  • Official translations and legal verification (such as notarization or apostille) of foreign documents, when required by the Misrad HaBriut
  • Professional Organization - Israeli Union / Association for Occupational Therapists

Physical Therapy

Official Government page

Required forms and documents include:

  • PT required documents page
  • Questionnaire for Health Care Professionals
  • Application form to take the physiotherapy exam
  • Teudat Zehut - תעודת זהות - Israeli ID or passport
  • Physiotherapy degree, or official confirmation of completion and eligibility for the degree
  • Official confirmation of study dates and academic transcript, divided by semester/year
  • Proof of practical training/internship totaling 960 hours, or proof of at least one year of supervised overseas work experience as a physiotherapist, as recognized and approved by the Misrad HaBriut
  • Valid foreign professional license, where applicable.
  • Certificate of Good Standing from the licensing authority, where applicable.
  • Name-change documentation, if relevant
  • Official translations and legal verification (such as notarization or apostille) of foreign documents, when required by the Misrad HaBriut
  • Professional Organization - Israeli Association for the Advancement of Physiotherapy

Speech Therapy & Audiology

Official Government page

Required forms and documents include:

  • Speech required documents page
  • Teudat Zehut - תעודת זהות - Israeli ID or passport
  • Academic studies in Speech Therapy, Audiology, or Communication Disorders, including a degree or official completion certificate from a recognized institution.
  • Official academic transcript
  • Proof of clinical training/internship (typically 750 - 1,000 hours, depending on speech-only or combined speech and audiology and according to current Misrad HaBriut guidelines), or proof of at least one year of supervised work experience abroad as a speech therapist, as recognized and approved by the Misrad HaBriut
  • Foreign professional license or status documents, where applicable
  • Required licensing forms for speech licensing, as listed in the official licensing guide.
  • Hebrew proficiency (YAEL requirement - NITE) Candidates who take the Speech Therapy & Audiology licensing exam in English must still prove Hebrew proficiency, usually via the YAEL test in accordance with Misrad HaBriut guidelines, and submit the result as part of their licensing file.
  • Official translations and legal verification (such as notarization or apostille) of foreign documents, when required by the Misrad HaBriut
  • Professional Organization - Israeli Speech, Language and Hearing Association

Important Note: Always verify forms, required documents, and all other requirements on the official gov.il pages for your profession before submitting, as requirements are often updated.


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