How do I check a doctor in Costa Rica?

The Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Costa Rica authorises doctors through incorporation into the profession. Patients can use its linked public directory, while dentists have a separate statutory college and search service.

How do I look up a doctor?

Ask for the doctor's legal name and professional code. Open the medical college's linked directory and search by doctor, specialty or code. Use location to narrow the results if necessary. The directory offers Spanish and an English option.

Compare the professional's identity and listed specialty. If the profile does not clearly establish current practising status, ask the college to confirm it. A directory profile should not be treated as a complete certificate covering every aspect of professional standing.

How do I check a specialist or a dentist?

For a medical specialty, search the exact specialty title in the medical directory. Ask the college to clarify an ambiguous entry rather than assuming a service listed on the clinic's website is a registered specialty.

For a dentist, open the Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas directory. Search by code, given name, surnames or specialty. Read professional status and recognised specialty information separately. A short course or society membership does not establish registration as a specialist.

Does the register show disciplinary action?

Ask the appropriate college what disciplinary decisions or restrictions it can disclose. The medical profile is not a complete disciplinary certificate, and the dental directory's professional-status field should not be interpreted as a full history of conduct. An absence of visible sanctions is not proof that none exist.

What about doctors trained abroad?

Foreign medical graduates must complete qualification recognition and the college's incorporation process, with additional documentation for foreign applicants. Ask the doctor for the local incorporation details, not just the overseas diploma. The medical college's incorporation guidance explains the process.

Foreign dental specialty qualifications require equivalence through CONARE and the University of Costa Rica before college registration. Medical and dental specialty titles need the recognition and registration appropriate to their profession. The dental college's incorporation information provides the relevant route.

What do US, Canadian or UK titles mean here?

An overseas certificate or Fellowship does not replace Costa Rican professional authorisation; use the foreign-credentials guide to check its issuer and meaning.

Checked on 23 October 2026.