Unfortunately, there is currently a long waiting time for the BI exam for physicians. To reduce this waiting time somewhat, the clinical knowledge section will no longer be part of the professional development exam for physicians.
More exams possible due to the change
The BI exam for physicians consists of the interuniversity Progress Test for Medicine (iVTG), the clinical skills section (DKV), and the clinical knowledge section (DKK). Effective March 1, 2026, physicians will no longer be required to take the clinical knowledge section. This change to the BI exam will temporarily allow more BI exams to be administered and will reduce the waiting time for BI exams somewhat. The quality of the BI exam will remain the same.
Background on the waiting time for the BI exam for physicians
The waiting time is due to an increase in the number of applications from physicians from non-European countries and the abolition of the General Knowledge and Skills Exam on January 1, 2024. This allows physicians with a non-European diploma to progress more quickly to the BI exam. However, the BI exam is very expensive. Structurally expanding the number of exam places is therefore not easy. Applicants currently pay a relatively small contribution for the BI exam. Therefore, the availability of places currently depends on the available budget from the national government.