Revalida: the medical diploma revalidation exam

The National Exam for the Revalidation of Medical Diplomas (Revalida) is an assessment established by the federal government in 2011, coordinated between the Ministry of Education (MEC) and the Ministry of Health, to assess and recognize medical diplomas issued by foreign institutions.

The exam is held twice a year and, since 2024, it has been the only accepted way to revalidate diplomas obtained abroad, under Resolution No. 2 of December 19, 2024, of the National Education Council (CNE), with the support of the National Health Council (CNS).

Why does Revalida matter?

Revalida emerged in response to the steady growth in the number of Brazilians and foreigners trained abroad who wanted to practice medicine in the country. Before it, each university set its own rules for revalidation, which created legal uncertainty, long timelines and inconsistent criteria.

With Revalida, the medical community gained a national, standardized and transparent methodfor checking whether training obtained outside the country meets the requirements of Brazilian medical schools. The goal is to ensure that all physicians, regardless of where they trained, meet the same quality and safety standards required by the Brazilian health system.

Federal programs, such as Mais Médicos, often require diploma revalidation for full practice. Revalida therefore plays an essential role as the point of entry for thousands of foreign professionals and returning Brazilians.

What does the exam cover?

Made up of a theoretical and a practical stage, the exam assesses everything from fundamental knowledge to the ability to conduct real patient encounters safely and with quality.

Theoretical stage

The exam is based on the Curriculum Correspondence Matrix for the revalidation of medical diplomas issued by foreign universities, which covers five major areas of professional practice:

1) Surgery;
2) Family and Community Medicine (MFC);
3) Pediatrics;
4) Obstetrics and Gynecology;
5) Internal Medicine.

This part of the assessment checks the candidate’s scientific foundation, clinical reasoning ability and application of the protocols used in the SUS (Brazil’s public health system).

Practical stage

The practical stage takes place in stations that simulate common scenarios in medical routine, such as consultations, physical examinations, communicating management plans and performing procedures. The candidate’s performance shows whether they have the technical skills, professional conduct and judgment needed to work in real settings.

Approval and accreditation

The process is completed when the approved candidate submits all the documentation to the accredited public university that will finalize the diploma revalidation. The professional then gains the right to practice medicine in Brazil under the same requirements that apply to graduates trained in the country.

Only 33% pass

Data from the CFM (Federal Council of Medicine) show that, from 2011 to 2025, there were 109,935 registrations from 46,290 individuals (the same person can register as many times as they like until they pass). Candidates come from 94 different nationalities and are trying to revalidate diplomas obtained in 89 countries. A total of 15,318 have passed to date, only 33.09% of registrants.

The vast majority of registrants are Brazilians (84.25%) who studied abroad, and other prominent nationalities are Cubans (2,042 passed) and Bolivians (1,014 passed).

The pass rates show how demanding the process is and reinforce the need for rigorous preparation by candidates. By centralizing criteria and procedures, Revalida remains an essential instrument for building a qualified medical workforce aligned with the requirements of the country’s health system.