Ministry conducts investigation into reported low success rates in health certification exams
The healthcare sector in Taiwan is facing a challenge as the pass rates for the National Physician Licensing Exam have dropped to a 19-year low, with a first-stage pass rate of only 10.5% in January 2025 [1][3]. This decline has raised significant concerns among authorities.
One of the factors contributing to this trend is a reported decrease in interest among top students in pursuing medical careers [3]. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is actively investigating the causes behind the declining pass rates, consulting with representatives from medical colleges to better understand the underlying issues [1][3].
In response to these challenges, measures are being taken to attract and retain top talent in medical education. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and medical colleges are engaging in discussions to explore why fewer candidates are passing the exam and find ways to improve medical education and student performance [1][3].
While specific recruitment measures are not yet detailed, the acknowledgment that colleges "must do more to attract talent" suggests potential strategies could include improving the appeal of medical programs, enhancing educational support, or offering incentives to attract high-achieving students [3].
It is crucial for medical departments to attract outstanding students to ensure the quality of healthcare. If medical students must retake the national exam multiple times to pass, the number of people entering postgraduate training in hospitals would decline each year. The number of students with relatively lower grades than in previous years has increased, affecting the pass rate of the national exams [2].
The first stage exam, which focuses on basic medical science, is typically taken between the fourth and fifth years of medical school. The examinees for the National Physician Licensing Exam have diverse backgrounds, including those taking the exam multiple times, alternative medical study pathways, and those who suspended or took a gap year [4].
The Department of Medical Affairs is inviting representatives from medical colleges to discuss the declining pass rates, and more detailed data is needed to understand the declining pass rate in the January exam, according to the Taiwan Association of Medical Education chairperson [5].
It is worth noting that the pass rate for the July exam has also dropped in recent years, between 50% and a little more than 60% [6]. This could indicate that the exam questions are too difficult or the examinees are not prepared. The Ministry of Examination holds national exams for all types of healthcare professionals in June and July each year, and medical students must pass two stages of national examinations before obtaining their physician license [7].
As the investigation continues, it is hoped that the collaborative efforts of the government and medical institutions will lead to solutions that make medical colleges more attractive to top students, aiming to reverse this downward trend.
References: [1] Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan. (2025). Press release on declining pass rates in National Physician Licensing Exam. [2] National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University College of Medicine. (2025). Statement on declining pass rates in National Physician Licensing Exam. [3] Chen, Y. (2025). Opinion: Reviving medical education in Taiwan. Taipei Times. [4] Taiwan Association of Medical Education. (2025). Statement on declining pass rates in National Physician Licensing Exam. [5] Taiwan Association of Medical Education chairperson. (2025). Interview on declining pass rates in National Physician Licensing Exam. [6] Ministry of Examination, Taiwan. (2025). National exam pass rates for healthcare professionals. [7] National Health Insurance Administration, Taiwan. (2025). Requirements for obtaining a physician license in Taiwan.
- Recognizing the decline in healthcare quality due to the low pass rates in the National Physician Licensing Exam, efforts are underway to enhance medical education and boost student performance, focusing on science education to prepare future doctors for managing medical-conditions and promoting health-and-wellness.
- To address the decreasing interest among top students in pursuing medical careers, discussions are being led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and medical colleges to explore ways to improve the appeal of medical programs and attract high-achieving students through incentives, enhanced educational support, and a more invigorating learning environment.
