Published on: July 04, 2025 | Article No: 331 | By: @Vijai BALAKRISHNAN
Are you a doctor or dentist from India or another non-EU country looking to practice in France? Here’s a clear, simplified guide to help you understand your options by Vijai BALAKRISHNAN.
First things first: Fluency in French is very important. You’ll need at least a B2 level (some universities may require C1) to apply under any of the following pathways.
Pathway 1: Repeating Studies in France
What it involves? Apply to a French university for direct admission into the 2nd or 3rd year of medical/dental school. The university will evaluate your previous education, clinical experience, and skills to determine which year you’ll join. This evaluation varies by institution and professor—there’s no fixed rule for how many years you may need to repeat.
🔗 Example (Paris University): Direct Access to 2nd/3rd Year Health Studies
📌 Important Notes:
- You can apply to only one university per year—no multiple applications.
- Each university sets its own criteria, so check their individual websites.
- Language Requirement: B2 level in French is required (some universities ask for C1).
Pathway 2: EVC Competitive Exam (Voie Externe)
This is the standard route for non-EU graduates.
What is EVC? Épreuves de Vérification des Connaissances (EVC) – a two-part written exam conducted once a year in France only. You must be physically present to write it.
Exam Format:
✅ Part 1: Theory (morning)
✅ Part 2: Practical (afternoon)
Both are written exams and they are on the same day. Morning session will be part-1 and afternoon part-2. Question formats are not disclosed in advance. You can download past exam papers and details from cng.sante.fr.
Eligibility:
- Non-EU medical or dental degreee.
- B2-level French (TCF or DELF certified) or French nationality with fluency.
- Official French translation of degree certificates
Step-by-Step Process:
- Apply/Register in CNG website and get validated for eligibility to write EVC.
- Pass EVC and secure a rank within available vacancies.
- Complete 1-year supervised training in a public hospital.
- Receive training completion certificate from your supervisor/Hospital.
- Register with Medical Board, Ordre des Médecins or Ordre des Chirurgiens-Dentistes
Apply here:
- For Doctors (Médecins): cng.sante.fr/procedures-dautorisation-dexercice/obtenir-autorisation-dexercice/medecin
- For Dentists (Chirurgiens-Dentistes): cng.sante.fr/procedures-dautorisation-dexercice/obtenir-autorisation-dexercice/chirurgien-dentiste
According to my search, I was able to find only one coaching center in Paris to prepare for EVC exams: major-ecn.fr
Things to Know About EVC:
The EVC is a competitive exam. You must pass and need to secure a rank within the number of vacancy posted for the year.
- Doctors: ~300–500 seats/year.
- Dentists: As low as 0–15 per year (2024 was an exception: 110 seats, but only 71 filled).
- Passing score = 8/20, but cutoff varies and is announced only on result day.
- Not all vacancies are guaranteed to be filled.
- Expected to have increased number of vacancies for dentists in next years.
Starting from the 2021 session, candidates can attempt the EVC exam four times. Any attempts done prior to the 2021 session are not taken into account.
Example from 2024:
- 110 dentist vacancies were posted. Over 1,000 non-EU dentists appeared for the exam.
- 200+ candidates passed the exams by scoring more than 8. But CNG set the cut-off mark as 10.6 and so only 71 dentist positions were filled in.
Salary during 1-year training: ~€2,200 net/month (official scale). More info at emploi-collectivites.fr/grille-indiciaire-hospitaliere-praticien-associe
Pathway 3: Temporary Contract → EVC (Voie Interne)
New pathway launched in June 2025: For those already working in France under a temporary/supervised contract (e.g., stagiaire or praticien associé), this route allows you to skip the competitive element.
Note: Temporary work contract is not new a concept. It exists since many years. It is possible to secure a contract and keep working without clearing the EVC exam and keep renewing the contract each year.
How it works?
- Work under a contract for 2 years.
- Then appear for only the theory (Part 1) of EVC.
- No ranking or competition—just pass the exam and apply for a license.
- Exam pattern of MCQ is different from the external EVC exam.
Requirements:
- Non-EU medical/dental degree.
- Minimum B2-level French (TCF/DELF certification) or French nationality with fluency.
- 2 years of contract work in a public hospital in France.
- No prior registration for EVC (external)
Steps to get a Temporary Contract:
- You must secure a contract with a public hospital or health institution willing to host you as a stagiaire or practician associé. This institution will:
- Submit a request to the ARS (Agence Régionale de Santé) on your behalf.
- Provide a supervising dentist and a structured training plan.
- Submit Your Application to ARS. Once the institution agrees to host you: You or the institution must submit your application to the CNG during the open application window. Required documents include:
- French-translated degree certificates.
- Proof of identity (passport) and residence permit if already present in France.
- CV and proofs of previous experiences.
- French language certificate.
- Work contract or letter of intent from the host institution.
- Receive Temporary authorization: If approved by ARS, you will receive a temporary authorization valid for a limited period (usually 1 year and it is renewable), during which you can work and prepare for the EVC (interne or externe) exam.
EVC Exam choices after 2 years:
- Option 1: Complete 2 years of work and apply for EVC – Interne process and clear the Part-1 Exam.
- Option 2: Take full EVC (external) – Compete for a rank. However, choosing external makes you ineligible for the internal route later)
Note💡 Many professionals continue under temporary contracts for 5–6 years or more without taking the EVC. Temporary status allows you to practice under supervision—but not as a full licensed medical professional.
Tips to Find Temporary Jobs in France
Where to Apply/Target locations?
- Public Hospitals located in rural/suburb areas of France.
- Hospitals providing services for Prisons or elderly care centers.
- Overseas departments like Guadeloupe or Martinique.
Important Remarks
- No centralized application system from Public Hospitals. Each hospital have their own rules.
- Search directly in the public hospital websites (CH or AP-HP).
- Email your CV and motivation letter in French to the chief of service.
- Interviews are often done via phone or video call.
- Apply for attestation d’exercice provisoire under Article L.4111-2-1 of the French Public Health Code.
Note: Stagiaire, praticien associé is the designation usually given to non-eu practitioners when recruited directly to work under a supervisor. So use these terms when you apply or request for a contract.
Salary Range: Starts at ~€2,200 net/month (Échelon 1). Can increase up to Échelon 7 depending on experience and hospital discretion.
Final Note
No matter which pathway you choose, fluency in French (B2 or higher) is non-negotiable. Start with language preparation early—it’s your ticket to even applying.
With perseverance, planning, and the right pathway, building a medical career in France is possible.
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