New Aptitude Test for Medical Professionals in Cameroon

LAST UPDATED: OCT 29, 10 AM

The healthcare sector in Cameroon is evolving rapidly, with the introduction of reforms aimed at raising the standard of medical training to meet both national and international requirements.

A key part of this transformation is the MINSANTE Aptitude Test, a mandatory examination for healthcare professionals seeking licensure to practice.

Whether you’re a nurse, midwife, laboratory technician, pharmacist, or any other medical professional, passing this test is now an essential step toward certification.

Recently, the Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon released a communique detailing new procedures and dates for the upcoming 2024 National Special Aptitude Test.

This blog post will walk you through everything you need to know about the test, why it matters, and how you can prepare.

What is the MINSANTE Aptitude Test?

The MINSANTE Aptitude Test is a national exam organized by the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE) for individuals who hold diplomas in healthcare-related fields.

These include:

• Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS)
• Higher National Diploma (HND)
• Higher Professional Diploma (HPD)
• Diplôme Supérieur d’Études Professionnelles (DSEP)
•  Bachelor’s degree (Licence) issued by the Ministry of Higher Education or a state-recognized university.

This test evaluates a candidate’s readiness to practice as a healthcare professional, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills.

By passing this exam, you gain the license to practice as a medical professional in Cameroon and abroad, ensuring that you meet global standards for healthcare practitioners.

It is designed to assess your knowledge, skills, and decision-making abilities—traits that are essential in delivering safe and effective medical care.

The recent communique, dated 8th October 2024, announced that the aptitude test will take place as both written and practical exams.

The primary goal is to register successful candidates into the Order of Medico-Sanitary Personnel, officially licensing them to practice in their chosen field.

Why is the MINSANTE Aptitude Test Important?

This test isn’t just a requirement; it’s a benchmark of quality.

Medical professionals who pass the MINSANTE Aptitude Test can demonstrate their readiness to take on the responsibilities that come with working in the medical field, both in Cameroon and internationally.

Without passing this test, healthcare professionals will not be able to obtain the necessary license to practice, limiting their career prospects both locally and abroad.

In short, passing the test means you are certified to provide medical care, while failing to pass could delay your entry into the workforce or require further training.

In addition, the test is now part of the government’s efforts to standardize healthcare training and ensure that all professionals meet the same high standards of practice.

Key Dates and Registration

For the 2024/2025 academic year, the government has made some significant readjustments to medical training.

Students who are already in training can continue their education under the existing modalities, but they will still need to take the Aptitude Test in November 2024.

This decision affects a wide range of medical professionals, from nurses and midwives to laboratory technicians and pharmacists.

The Ministry of Public Health has provided the following important dates for the 2024 National Special Aptitude Test:

•  Application deadline:  Physical application files must be submitted to Regional Delegations of Public Health by November 8, 2024
• Written exams: November 16, 2024
• Practical exams: 18 and 19 November 2024

Note that these are the revised dates.

Importance of Preparing for Test

Preparing for the MINSANTE Aptitude Test is critical to ensuring that you pass on your first attempt.

The exam is not just a review of basic medical knowledge.

It requires you to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world medical situations.

Understanding the test format, practicing relevant questions, and familiarizing yourself with clinical scenarios will help you significantly improve your chances of success.

The Ministry of Public Health has released details about both the written and practical exams, which will test a variety of skills that are necessary for medical professionals.

It is highly recommended that candidates seek out the official press releases and study them carefully.

Additionally, this test will be held annually, which means that future healthcare professionals will continue to face this requirement.

However, students who fail the exam on their first try will not be left without options.

What Happens If You Don’t Pass the exam?

If you are unsuccessful in passing the MINSANTE Aptitude Test, don’t worry—you will have the opportunity to undergo additional training.

The Ministry of Public Health has put measures in place to help unsuccessful candidates strengthen their skills through supplementary education.

After completing this extra training, candidates will be required to sit for a certification exam, which will also be organized by MINSANTE.

The goal is to ensure that every healthcare professional in Cameroon meets the high standards required for safe and effective practice.

Passing the exam will allow you to join the Association of Nurses, Midwives, Lab Technicians, and other related professional groups, granting you the official license to practice.

Requirements for the Special Aptitude Test

Below are the updated registration requirements:

1.Registration Form: A form stamped at 1,500 CFA francs, which must be completed and downloaded from  https://examen-national-special-minsante.cm.

2. Certified Birth Certificate: One (1) certified photocopy of your Birth Certificate, signed by a competent civil authority, dated less than three (03) months ago.

3. Payment Receipt: A receipt for the sum of 20,000 CFA francs issued by the Regional Delegate of Public Health from the location where you file your application.

4. Certified Copy of Required Diploma: One (1) certified photocopy of the diploma required for the test. The diploma should be issued either by the Ministry of Higher Education or by the supervising State University.

5. Certificate of Original Diploma Presentation: A certificate proving the presentation of the original diploma, issued by a competent administrative authority.

6. Certified Transcripts: Certified copies of transcripts for your entire curriculum, issued by the institution where you received your training.

7. Criminal Record Extract: One (1) extract from your criminal record, bulletin No. 3, dated less than three (03) months ago.

8. Medical Certificate: A medical certificate signed by a doctor practicing in a public health facility, certifying that you are fit to practice your profession. The certificate should be submitted in a sealed envelope.

9. Passport Photos: Two (2) 4X4 passport-sized photos in color, with a white background.

10. Stamped A4 Envelope: One (1) A4 envelope stamped at 500 CFA francs, bearing the candidate’s address.

Important Notes:

• Incomplete files, files submitted after the deadline, or files containing documents signed in a police station or by a non-competent authority will be rejected without exception.

Ensure that all your documents meet these requirements and are submitted within the designated timeframe to avoid disqualification.

Updated timetable and modalities for the exam

a) Written exams

DATE	TYPE OF EXAMINATION	TIME	DURATION	PASS MARK	ELIMINATION SCORE
16/11/2024	Professional exam 1	08:00-11:00	3 hours	35%	05/20
	General culture (Law, ethics, and professional conduct)	11:30-13:30	2 hours	30%	05/20
	Professional exam 2	14:30-17:30	3 hours	35%	05/20

b) Practical exams

The Regional Delegates of Public Health will identify the different sites for practical exams.

The Role of Licensure and Professional Recognition

It’s important to note that passing the MINSANTE Aptitude Test grants you a license to practice, but it does not automatically guarantee employment.

The license simply confirms that you are qualified to work as a medical professional in Cameroon or abroad.

Graduates will still need to apply for jobs in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings.

The license, however, will be your passport to these opportunities.

It is the official recognition that you have met the professional standards required to provide medical care, whether you’re a nurse, midwife, or technician.

Once licensed, you’ll be allowed to practice anywhere in Cameroon and, in many cases, internationally.

The Future of Healthcare Training in Cameroon

With the reforms set for the 2024/2025 academic year, medical education in Cameroon is moving toward a more structured and standardized system.

This ensures that healthcare professionals are well-prepared to handle the complexities of modern healthcare.

The government’s commitment to raising the bar for healthcare training will help improve the quality of medical services across the country.

As a future medical professional, it’s important to stay informed about these changes, prepare for the upcoming Aptitude Test, and continue your journey toward becoming a licensed healthcare provider.