Degree and professional license recognition

There are two distinct evaluations, for different purposes — not confusing them saves real time.

• General degree evaluationGets your degree recognized for a non-regulated job or civil-service salary grading. Handled by the Department for Evaluation of Academic Degrees from Abroad at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Does not grant the right to practice a regulated profession.
• Professional license (Rishayon)Mandatory to practice a regulated profession (doctor, lawyer, engineer, nurse, psychologist, dentist, pharmacist, accountant…). Issued by the profession's governing body, usually after an application and a state exam.

For a university degree with no associated regulated profession, the Department for Evaluation of Academic Degrees from Abroad (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration) compares your degree to recognized Israeli equivalents, under standards set by the Ministry of Education and the Civil Service Commission.

This evaluation can differ from a university's own assessment: a 5-year foreign program may be counted as a Master's for salary grading, but only as a Bachelor's by a university if you want to continue studying — check which process actually matches your need before filing.

1. 1
   Gather degrees and transcripts — Originals, copies, and — if requested — a detailed course syllabus per subject.
2. 2
   Certified translation — Hebrew or English translation by an approved translator if the originals are in another language.
3. 3
   File the application — With the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (for Olim) or the Ministry of Education's Bureau for Evaluation of Foreign Degrees (civil-service salary grading, teachers).
4. 4
   Receive the equivalence — A document stating the recognized academic equivalence (Bachelor's, Master's…) — keep it for job applications.

For these professions, practicing in Israel without a license is illegal, even with a degree recognized elsewhere. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration publishes the full official list — here are the processes for the professions French-speaking Olim ask about most.

• Original degree(s) — keep the originals, only ever send certified copies.
• Full, detailed transcript signed by the issuing institution.
• Course syllabus per subject if requested — especially for health professions and engineering.
• Apostille (or consular legalization depending on the country) on academic documents.
• Certified Hebrew or English translation by an approved translator if the original is in another language.
• Proof of professional experience (contracts, employer letters) — decisive for exam exemptions (lawyers, accountants).

Good to know, across all professions: the Ministry of Aliyah reimburses up to ₪4,000 of translation and notarization costs incurred to transfer a professional license — keep every receipt and claim it after Aliyah.