Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Assessment Examination
Administered by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
The licensing examination for foreign-trained medical and dental graduates who wish to practise in Nigeria. The exam verifies that your medical knowledge and clinical skills meet Nigerian standards.
Quick Facts
Format
Two parts: Written examination followed by Clinical/Oral examination
Duration
Written: 3 hours. Clinical: varies (typically a full day of clinical stations)
Passing Score
50% in each component
Valid For
Leads to full MDCN registration upon passing both parts
Cost
Approximately N100,000 to N150,000 (subject to change)
Cost in Naira
N100,000 to N150,000
Test Centres in Nigeria
- MDCN Office Lagos
- MDCN Office Abuja
- Select teaching hospitals as designated by MDCN
What is Tested
Written Examination
MCQs and short answer questions covering medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics, and community medicine.
Clinical/Oral Examination
Clinical examination of real patients, oral viva, and practical skills assessment at a designated teaching hospital.
How to Register
- 1
Visit the MDCN office or website (mdcn.gov.ng) to obtain the assessment exam application form.
- 2
Submit your foreign medical degree, transcripts, and supporting documents for verification.
- 3
MDCN will verify your qualification with the issuing institution.
- 4
Pay the examination fee once your eligibility is confirmed.
- 5
Receive notification of the exam date and venue.
- 6
Attend the written examination at the designated centre.
- 7
If you pass the written, attend the clinical/oral examination at a teaching hospital.
- 8
Upon passing both parts, apply for full MDCN registration.
Tips for Nigerian Candidates
The MDCN assessment is held infrequently (often once or twice a year). Check the MDCN website or visit their office for the current schedule.
Document verification can take months. Submit your application well ahead of time.
The clinical exam is usually held at a teaching hospital in Lagos or Abuja. Be prepared to travel.
Foreign-trained Nigerian doctors returning home must also take this exam. Having a Nigerian background can help with the clinical context.
After passing, you will need to complete a one-year internship (housemanship) at an MDCN-accredited hospital if you have not done so already.
The exam tests knowledge relevant to Nigerian clinical practice, so review local disease burden and treatment protocols.
Preparation Tips
Review the Nigerian medical curriculum structure, especially common tropical diseases and local health challenges.
Study conditions common in Nigerian clinical practice: malaria, typhoid, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
Practise clinical examination skills on real patients if possible.
Review pharmacology with emphasis on drugs available in the Nigerian Essential Medicines List.
The oral examination requires you to explain your clinical reasoning clearly. Practise verbalising your thought process.
Connect with doctors who have previously taken the assessment for guidance on exam format and expectations.
Recommended Resources
Cost Breakdown
Exam Fee
Approximately N100,000 to N150,000 (subject to change)
In Naira
N100,000 to N150,000
Who Needs This Exam
Doctors and dentists who obtained their primary medical qualification outside Nigeria and want to practise in the country
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