Ethiopia HPLE

Overview

EHPLE (the Ethiopian Health Professionals Licensing Examination) is a competency assessment run by Ethiopia's Ministry of Health. The Ministry launched it in 2019. Its aim is to identify health professionals who have the minimum knowledge, attitude and skill to do the job safely and competently, not to pick the top candidates. The Health and Health-related Institutions and Professionals Regulatory Lead Executive Office (HHrIPR-LEO) within the Ministry implements it. Passing the exam is one of the requirements for a professional licence.

Who can apply

The exam is currently given for 17 professions: anaesthesia, nursing, public health, pharmacy, medical laboratory science, medicine, midwifery, dental medicine, medical radiology technology, environmental health, psychiatric nursing, paediatric and child health nursing, emergency and critical care nursing, optometry, surgical nursing, human nutrition and physiotherapy.

The Candidates Manual (March 2019 edition) sets out these eligibility rules:

• New graduates: you must be registered at an official public or accredited private health science college or university, have passed all courses the institution delivers, and have a candidate eligibility form signed by the institution.

• Internationally educated candidates: you need a first degree in a health science or medical programme, with documents authenticated by the Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency (HERQA) or another concerned body.

The Ministry's FAQ says the exam is offered to health professionals who graduated from Sene 2011 on the Ethiopian calendar. Earlier graduates can sit it only if a regional health bureau sends their name with a formal letter of request.

Exam pattern

According to the Ministry's FAQ, one round of the licensing exam has 200 questions, 100 in the morning and 100 in the afternoon. The exam site also provides a computer-based testing video and a practice book. The Candidates Manual refers to OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) stations in the exam centre rules, so check the current information booklet to see what applies to your profession.

Marking and results

A group of subject experts sets the pass mark after each round using the modified Angoff method, so the mark can differ from round to round. Candidates can appeal in person, by phone or by email within 10 days of the result notification.

Important dates

The FAQ says the exam is tentatively held every four months, three times a year. Registration is announced on the Ministry's website and social media about two weeks ahead and stays open for roughly 10 to 15 days.

How to apply

Both new and re-exam candidates register at hple.moh.gov.et. New candidates wait about three working days for approval, and re-exam candidates get their ID straight away. After approval you can download your ID from your account. You can change your exam centre only during the registration period. The official site says to review the information booklet before completing your application. The manual says to submit a registration form, a signed consent, two passport photos, your diploma and transcript, a student ID or passport and the application fee, and that applications are encouraged at least 30 days before the exam. No fee amount is stated on the pages read.

After the exam

For a licence, the FAQ lists passing the licensing exam, your original or temporary degree and education documents, a medical certificate, a government ID and any extra requirements of the regional regulatory body. You collect the licence from the regional health bureau where you permanently live.

FAQs