Does the IDF automatically recognize me as a medical doctor?

In order to practice medicine in the IDF, you must be licensed to practice medicine in the State of Israel and present your diploma and employment certification from the Israeli Ministry of Health as a medical doctor or a dentist.

Medical doctors who receive a temporary license for one year and meet the recruiting criteria, are recruited after receiving their medical license. Some of you will be required to undergo a one year internship (Medical intern) at a civilian hospital in Israel.  

Your employment as a medical doctor in the army requires military training within the framework of the Medical Corps for three months.

Will I enlist as an officer, as a soldier in regular service, or as a reservist?

• medical doctors and dentists who are drafted into a regular service will receive a salary as if they are in permanent service, starting from the day they are drafted.
• medical doctors who are not recruited for regular service will be drafted into reserve duty and will be summoned (after successfully passing the screening) for further training.
• Dentists who are not recruited for regular service will be drafted into reserve duty according to their personal data, and in accordance with the guidelines of the new immigrant service.

What is the duration of my service as a male immigrant medical doctor?

The Israeli Defense Service Law enables the recruitment of immigrant medical doctors and dentists for regular mandatory service up to the age of 38 and reserve duty is only from the age of 39 until the age of 43. Furthermore, the army has specific orders that facilitate the recruitment of this population.

In general, the duration of service is determined by the date of arrival in Israel, determined by the Meitav unit.

Medical doctors who arrived in Israel until 30.06.2018 and have not yet reached the age of 33 will be called-up for regular mandatory service of 18 months under the terms of  permanent service. Medical doctors ages 33 to 43 can be recruited for reserve service.

Dentists who arrived in Israel until 30.06.2018 and have not yet reached the age of 30 will be summoned for regular mandatory service of 18 months under the terms of permanent service. Dentists ages 30 to 43 can be recruited for reserve service.

Medical doctors and dentists who arrived in Israel from 01.07.2018 and who have not yet reached the age of 27, will be called-up for regular mandatory service of 24 months under the terms of permanent service.

Medical doctors and dentists who arrived in Israel from 01.07.2018 age 27 to 33 will be called-up for regular mandatory service for 20 months under the terms of  permanent service.

Medical doctors and dentists from age 34 to 43 can be recruited for reserve duty.

The policy of the IDF is dynamic and can change according to the needs of the army from time to time.

Am I obligated to serve as a female immigrant medical doctor?

The Defense Service Law enables the recruitment of immigrant female medical doctors for regular mandatory service up to the age of 38 and reserve duty from the age of 39 to 43. At the same time, the army has specific orders that facilitate the recruitment of this population.

Female medical doctors and dentists who are married or have children will not be required to serve.

In general, the duration of service is determined by the date of arrival in Israel, determined by the Meitav unit.

Female medical doctors and dentists who arrived in Israel until June 30, 2018, will not be required to serve. They will be able to volunteer for permanent service.

Female medical doctors and dentists who arrived in Israel after 01.07.2018 and who have not yet reached the age of 27 will be called-up for regular mandatory service for a period of 24 months under the terms of permanent service.

Female medical doctors and dentists ages 27 to 28, who arrived in Israel after 01.07.2018,  will be called-up for regular mandatory service for a period of 18 months under the terms of  permanent service.