Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and Licensing in Türkiye

The Turkish Medical Association, Türk Tabipleri Birliği (TTB), is the national professional body of physicians in Türkiye. It is often the first organisation foreign doctors hear about, but it is not the body that lets you practise. In Türkiye, the right to work as a doctor rests on two state bodies: the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), which recognises diplomas, and the Ministry of Health, which registers them and approves employment.

This page explains what each body does and how the licensing route works for Turkish citizens with foreign degrees and for foreign nationals.

Key facts

What the Turkish Medical Association does

TTB is the umbrella of the provincial medical chambers (tabip odaları). Its role is professional rather than licensing:

• representing physicians and defending professional rights;
• setting and enforcing standards of medical ethics through disciplinary boards;
• continuing medical education, scientific meetings and publications;
• commenting on health policy and doctors' working conditions.

Physicians practising in the private sector are members of their provincial chamber. The chambers handle local registration, ethics cases and professional matters. TTB's central bodies coordinate at national level.

Do not confuse chamber membership with a licence. A chamber registers you as a member because you are entitled to practise; it does not grant that entitlement.

Who licenses doctors in Türkiye

Diploma equivalence through YÖK

Anyone with a medical degree from outside Türkiye, whether a Turkish citizen or a foreign national, starts with diploma equivalence (denklik) from YÖK. Applications go through YÖK's online equivalence system. Once YÖK grants equivalence, the foreign diploma is treated as equal to a diploma from a Turkish university.

What YÖK looks at

• whether the university is recognised by YÖK and the authorities of its country;
• the content and length of the programme compared with Turkish medical training;
• the student's study period in the country where the degree was obtained;
• clinical training.

Where YÖK finds gaps, it can require an equivalence exam or additional training before granting equivalence. Medical graduates from some universities are routinely asked to pass an exam.

Documents

YÖK's application information lists the documents it needs, typically including the diploma, transcript, proof of time spent in the country of study, passport, and translations. Keep originals ready, since YÖK may ask to see them.

Registration with the Ministry of Health

After equivalence, the diploma is registered with the Ministry of Health. Registration of the diploma, graduation certificate or specialist certificate is the basis for working as a physician. For foreign nationals, Ministry approval is also a condition for a work permit. Applicants for residency positions additionally need a placement result from the specialty exam.

Route for foreign nationals

Foreign nationals face more restrictions than Turkish citizens. In practice:

• Foreign doctors can generally work only in private health facilities, with Ministry of Health approval.
• They cannot normally work in state hospitals.
• A work permit is needed in addition to diploma recognition and registration.
• Turkish language skills are needed for patient contact and are often required by the employer and the Ministry.

The rules on foreign physicians have been changed several times, and secondary sources disagree. Check the current rules with the Ministry of Health and the prospective employer before signing anything.

Typical sequence

1. Confirm eligibility with the private employer and the Ministry for your nationality.
2. Apply for YÖK equivalence and pass any equivalence exam.
3. Register your diploma with the Ministry of Health.
4. Obtain employment approval and a work permit through the employer.
5. Join the provincial medical chamber where required.

Specialty training

Residency places are filled through the medical specialty exam (TUS), run by ÖSYM, the national assessment centre. Foreign nationals apply under separate rules and quotas published with each round. Specialist certificates obtained abroad also go through recognition and Ministry registration.

Turkish citizens with a foreign degree

Turkish citizens who studied medicine abroad follow the same core route as foreign nationals, but without the employment restrictions. After YÖK equivalence and Ministry of Health registration, they can apply for posts in both the public and the private sector, including compulsory service arrangements where these apply to new graduates. Many then sit TUS to enter specialty training.

Because the equivalence step is decisive, choose your university abroad carefully if you have not yet started. A degree from a university that YÖK does not recognise, or a study period spent largely outside the country of the university, can block equivalence entirely. YÖK publishes information on recognised institutions and on the documents it expects, and it is worth checking before you enrol, not after you graduate.

Specialists trained abroad

Doctors who completed specialist training abroad need both diploma equivalence and recognition of the specialist qualification. The Ministry assesses specialist training against Turkish requirements and may require additional training or an exam. Registration of the specialist certificate with the Ministry is what allows you to work under the specialist title.

Fees (as of October 2026)

YÖK, ÖSYM and the Ministry publish their own fees, which change regularly. There are also costs for translation, notarisation and any equivalence exam. Check the current amounts on each body's website.

Checklist

• University recognition confirmed before applying.
• Documents translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and notarised.
• Proof of study period abroad ready.
• Employer and Ministry rules checked for your nationality.
• Turkish language plan in place.

Typical mistakes

• Treating TTB as the licensing body. Recognition is YÖK, registration is the Ministry.
• Assuming state hospital jobs are open to foreign nationals.
• Starting work before approval. Ministry approval and a work permit come first.
• Relying on old rules. Regulations for foreign physicians have changed several times.
• Missing the equivalence exam requirement for your university.

Preparing for equivalence and specialty exams

Equivalence exams and TUS test broad clinical and basic science knowledge. The MediFlow Exam Prep app helps you keep that base active with daily mixed questions while you handle the paperwork.

Next steps

1. Check your university on YÖK's equivalence system.
2. Read the Ministry of Health's current information on foreign health personnel.
3. Contact the provincial medical chamber for membership details.
4. Comparing Europe? See Working as a doctor in Germany.

Contact and official links

• TTB: ttb.org.tr
• YÖK equivalence system: denklik.yok.gov.tr
• Ministry of Health: saglik.gov.tr

Contact details are listed on each body's website.