HPCZ Abolishes Licensure Exams for Certificate Holders, Announces New Dates for Professional Exams
The Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has announced significant changes to the licensure examination process for health professionals.
During a press briefing held today in Lusaka, HPCZ Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Fastone Goma, revealed that the council has abolished licensure exams for health programmes at the certificate level, effective immediately.
The decision to abolish the exams for certificate holders, such as Community Health Assistants (CHAs), was made in recognition of the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.
Prof. Goma explained that certificate programmes were primarily established to fill gaps in the health sector, and the new approach reflects a focus on ensuring quality assurance through diploma and degree qualifications.
“Graduates from certificate programmes will no longer be required to sit for the Licensure Examination. Instead, other methods will be employed to evaluate their competence,” Prof. Goma stated.
He encouraged certificate holders to proceed with submitting their applications for registration as health practitioners.
The council also announced that the second session of the Professional Licensure Examinations (LEX) for diploma and degree holders will take place from October 1 to November 18, 2024. Applications for these exams opened today and will close on September 23, 2024.
In a shift from previous practices, Prof. Goma disclosed that candidates will now be required to pass the theory portion of the exam before proceeding to the practical component.
“This adjustment ensures that candidates are adequately prepared for the practical examination and do not waste time if they have not passed the theory portion,” he explained.
The upcoming LEX examinations will be conducted simultaneously in Ndola and Lusaka, with specific venues to be announced in the coming weeks. Application fees remain unchanged.
Prof. Goma emphasized the importance of the Licensure Examinations in certifying the competence of health professionals, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to practice safely and effectively.
“I urge all candidates to take these exams seriously,” he said, adding that HPCZ will continue to work with stakeholders to maintain high standards in healthcare training and service delivery.
