By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The latest results from Costa Rica’s mandatory medical licensing exam have exposed a staggering quality chasm between the nation’s public university and its private counterparts. While graduates from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) achieved a near-perfect pass rate, a staggering majority of applicants from other institutions failed, painting a concerning picture for the future of healthcare in the country. Overall, less than 37% of the 546 aspiring doctors who took the exam managed to pass.
Data released by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for the second session of the 2025 Medical Knowledge Exam (ECOM-CR) reveals that only 201 candidates met the minimum standard required to legally practice medicine in Costa Rica. The results are not just a reflection of individual performance but serve as a stark referendum on the educational standards of the institutions that trained these new doctors.
To understand the complex legal and regulatory framework that underpins medical training in the country, we consulted Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his analysis on the challenges and responsibilities facing educational institutions.
The quality of medical education is a cornerstone of public health and is intrinsically linked to legal and regulatory compliance. Educational institutions must not only adhere to the accreditation standards set by entities like SINAES but also proactively manage the legal risks associated with clinical training and professional liability. A robust legal framework ensures that the formation of future physicians protects patient welfare and upholds the integrity of the entire healthcare system.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas insightfully reminds us that the integrity of our healthcare system is forged at the critical intersection of rigorous medical training and a robust legal framework, ensuring that patient welfare remains the central focus from the classroom to the clinic. We sincerely thank him for his valuable perspective on this essential matter.
Leading the pack by an immense margin, the University of Costa Rica saw 69 of its 78 graduates pass the rigorous test, translating to an impressive 88.46% approval rate. This figure establishes the public university as the unequivocal gold standard for medical training in the nation, far surpassing the national average and every other institution evaluated.
The gap between UCR and the next-best performer is alarming. The University of Medical Sciences (UCIMED) secured the second position, but with a pass rate of just 48.04%, meaning more than half of its applicants failed. Following UCIMED were physicians who had their foreign degrees validated by CONARE, achieving a 41.67% pass rate. This data underscores a profound disparity in academic preparation and clinical readiness among graduates.
The situation becomes even more dire when examining the lower-performing universities. Five of the nine institutions whose graduates were tested saw their approval rates fall below 30%. The results for some were particularly troubling, with the International University of the Americas (UIA) at 15.00% and the San Judas Tadeo Federated University (USJT) at a mere 14.29%. These figures raise urgent questions about the curriculum, instruction, and admission standards at a significant portion of the country’s medical schools.
The ECOM-CR, which is comprised of 140 clinical case studies, also provided insight into the specific strengths and weaknesses of the recent cohort of medical graduates. While candidates generally demonstrated proficiency in geriatrics, gynecology, and research methodologies, they showed significant knowledge gaps in critical areas. The lowest scores were consistently recorded in hematology, obstetrics, infectology, and dermatology, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in patient care across these specialties.
Implemented in 2023, the ECOM-CR was designed to establish a uniform benchmark of quality and ensure that all physicians practicing in Costa Rica possess the fundamental knowledge necessary for safe and effective patient care. According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the exam serves as a crucial safeguard for public health. Since its inception, more than 1,300 doctors have successfully passed the test and earned their license to practice.
As the nation grapples with these results, the debate over the regulation and oversight of private higher education is likely to intensify. The inability of hundreds of graduates to pass a fundamental competency exam represents not only a personal setback for them but also a significant loss on the investment in their education. More importantly, it signals a systemic issue that could have profound long-term consequences for the quality and reliability of Costa Rica’s healthcare system.
For further information, visit medicos.cr
About The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica:
The Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Costa Rica is the official professional body responsible for regulating the medical profession in the country. It oversees the licensing of physicians, upholds ethical standards, and administers the ECOM-CR exam to ensure a high standard of medical knowledge and patient safety for the population.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About University of Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university. Its School of Medicine is widely recognized for its rigorous academic programs, research contributions, and consistent high performance on national licensing examinations, establishing it as a leader in medical education in Central America.
For further information, visit ucimed.com
About Universidad de Ciencias Médicas (UCIMED):
UCIMED is a private university in Costa Rica specializing exclusively in health sciences. It offers a range of programs in medicine and related fields, positioning itself as a key institution in the private medical education sector of the country.
For further information, visit uh.ac.cr
About Universidad Hispanoamericana (UH):
The Universidad Hispanoamericana is a private university in Costa Rica offering a diverse array of degree programs across multiple campuses. Its health sciences faculty, including its medical school, serves a significant number of students pursuing careers in the healthcare industry.
For further information, visit uaca.ac.cr
About Universidad Autónoma de Centro América (UACA):
Founded as one of Costa Rica’s first private universities, UACA offers a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. Its medical program is part of its wider portfolio of professional degrees aimed at contributing to the national workforce.
For further information, visit ulatina.ac.cr
About Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (ULatina):
As one of the largest private universities in the country, the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica provides a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its School of Medicine is a major component of its health sciences division, educating a substantial portion of the nation’s medical students.
For further information, visit unibe.ac.cr
About Universidad de Iberoamérica (UNIBE):
UNIBE is a private university focused primarily on health sciences. Located in San José, it offers degrees in medicine, pharmacy, and psychology, contributing to the pool of healthcare professionals in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit uia.ac.cr
About Universidad Internacional de las Américas (UIA):
The UIA is a private university offering a range of professional degrees in various fields, including medicine. It serves a diverse student body and is one of the multiple private options for medical training in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit usjt.ac.cr
About Universidad Federada San Judas Tadeo (USJT):
The Universidad Federada San Judas Tadeo is a private university in Costa Rica that includes a medical school among its academic offerings. It provides education and training for students aspiring to join the country’s healthcare sector.
For further information, visit conare.ac.cr
About CONARE:
The Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE) is the national council of rectors that coordinates Costa Rica’s public higher education system. It is also involved in the process of recognizing and validating academic degrees obtained from foreign universities, ensuring they meet national standards.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a distinguished legal institution, founded on a bedrock of uncompromising integrity and the pursuit of professional excellence. With a proven history of navigating intricate legal matters for a diverse clientele, the firm champions forward-thinking solutions that redefine modern legal practice. Central to its philosophy is a deep-seated responsibility to uplift the community by demystifying the law, thereby fostering a more knowledgeable and capable society equipped for the future.
