How to Pass the Brazilian REVALIDA: Complete Guide for Foreign Doctors

If you are a foreign-trained doctor dreaming of practicing medicine in Brazil, there’s one major gateway you must pass through—the REVALIDA, or Exame Nacional de Revalidação de Diplomas Médicos Expedidos por Instituição de Educação Superior Estrangeira. This national exam is mandatory for validating foreign medical degrees in Brazil and is considered one of the most rigorous revalidation processes worldwide. Whether you’re from Latin America, Europe, Africa, or Asia, passing the REVALIDA means you’re one step closer to wearing a white coat with a CRM (Brazilian Medical Council registration number) proudly stitched on it.

In this ultimate guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the REVALIDA—from eligibility and exam structure to study tips and how to thrive during the clinical phase. This isn’t just a how-to; it’s a survival manual written with the insight of real medical professionals who’ve walked this road and made it to the other side.

What Is the REVALIDA?

The REVALIDA is the official Brazilian medical diploma revalidation exam, required for all non-Brazilian doctors who want to practice in Brazil. It is organized by INEP (Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira) under the Ministry of Education (MEC) and supported by the Ministry of Health.

This exam is your ticket to having your foreign medical diploma recognized in Brazil, enabling you to legally practice and apply for a CRM number.

Who Needs to Take the REVALIDA?

You must take the REVALIDA if:

• You have earned your MD (or equivalent) outside of Brazil.
• Your medical degree was issued by a foreign medical school.
• You want to obtain the right to practice medicine in Brazil and register with a Regional Medical Council (CRM).

Brazilian citizens who studied medicine abroad are also required to pass the REVALIDA.

REVALIDA Exam Structure

The REVALIDA consists of two major phases:

1. The Theoretical Exam (Prova Escrita Objetiva e Discursiva)

• Objective section: 100 multiple-choice questions.
• Discursive section: 5 structured essay-style questions.

Subjects covered:

• Internal Medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Public Health and Preventive Medicine
• Ethics and Bioethics

This phase tests your medical knowledge, decision-making, and ability to apply clinical judgment across various scenarios. You must pass both the objective and discursive parts to advance.

2. The Practical (Clinical Skills) Exam

This is an OSCE-style (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) with 10 stations representing common clinical cases.

You’ll be evaluated on:

• History taking
• Physical examination
• Clinical reasoning
• Communication with patients
• Professionalism

Language Requirements

The REVALIDA is entirely in Portuguese. You will need to:

• Understand clinical scenarios in Portuguese.
• Write and speak fluently during the practical exam.
• Interact with standardized patients and examiners in Portuguese.

Pro Tip:

Many candidates fail not due to lack of knowledge, but due to poor language skills. If your Portuguese isn’t advanced yet, this should be your top priority.

Application and Eligibility

You apply for the REVALIDA through the INEP portal (only available in Portuguese).

You’ll need:

• Scanned copy of your medical degree
• Transcript from your foreign medical school
• Government-issued ID
• Proof of legal residence (if applicable)
• CPF number (Brazilian tax ID)

Registration usually opens once or twice per year.

REVALIDA Difficulty: What You’re Really Up Against

The pass rate for REVALIDA is notoriously low—often less than 30% in the theoretical phase and even lower in the clinical phase. Here’s why:

• It demands a deep, integrated understanding of clinical medicine.
• The Portuguese language component adds an extra layer of difficulty.
• The practical stations are strict and scored meticulously.

How to Study for the REVALIDA: Proven Strategies

1. Master Medical Portuguese

• Use resources like Português Médico or attend Brazilian Portuguese classes.
• Practice listening with medical podcasts and videos from SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde).
• Learn terms used in Brazilian medical documentation and SOAP notes.

2. Get Familiar with Brazilian Guidelines

Brazil has unique healthcare protocols, particularly under the SUS system. Focus on:

• Prenatal care
• Vaccination schedules
• Public health and tropical medicine
• Basic sanitation and infectious disease management

3. Use REVALIDA-Focused Resources

• Books: "Manual do Revalida", “Revalmed”, and “Provas Comentadas Revalida”
• Online platforms: Estratégia MED, MedGRUPO, Sanar
• Past exams: Review all available REVALIDA previous years' questions from INEP

4. Simulate the OSCE

• Practice in study groups.
• Set up stations and use mock patients.
• Focus on communication and empathy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting the discursive part: Many focus solely on MCQs and ignore essay-style questions.
• Underestimating public health: Brazil’s REVALIDA places huge emphasis on public medicine, preventive care, and the SUS.
• Weak Portuguese: Don’t count on translation apps or technical fluency. You’ll need conversational and clinical fluency.

What Happens After Passing?

Once you pass both phases:

1. Your degree will be validated by a federal public university.
2. You’ll receive an official recognition certificate.
3. You can apply for registration with a CRM and start practicing in Brazil.

Life After REVALIDA: What to Expect

Many foreign doctors find meaningful careers in underserved areas in Brazil, such as rural clinics or community health posts. Others pursue postgraduate education or specializations.

Brazil’s diverse population, tropical diseases, and unique public health model offer rich learning experiences—especially for those with a strong sense of social medicine.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Passing the REVALIDA requires intense preparation, linguistic immersion, and emotional resilience. But if your heart is set on practicing in Brazil, the reward is huge: a fulfilling medical career, a vibrant work culture, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.

If you’re willing to commit to the language, study hard, and adapt to Brazil’s medical system, then yes—it’s absolutely worth it.