Newly graduated Icelandic medical doctors with specialist degrees from the U.S. are denied vocational licenses in Iceland, despite a precedent in place allowing older doctors with the same education to work in the country, Vísir reports.

According to Vísir, this is due to a flaw in a 2023 directorate, which stipulates that an Icelandic description of the degrees must be in place so that the doctors may work. As of yet, no such description exists, which, in part, is due to the fact that the degrees are not available in Iceland, resulting in people seeking education abroad.

In conversation with the media, chair of the Icelandic Medical Assocation Steinunn Þórðardóttir claims that Iceland cannot afford to miss out on new graduates. 

The reason why doctors are rejected specialist licenses is due to an Icelandic description of the degrees not existing, which, in part, is due to the fact that the degrees are not taught in Iceland, resulting in people getting their education abroad.

The Association is set to meet with the Directorate of Health to discuss the situation.