Mexico Simplifies Process to Obtain Professional Licenses

Mexico's General Directorate of Professions (DGP), under the Ministry of Education (SEP), has streamlined the process for obtaining a professional license. The move aligns with the country’s broader digital transformation strategy.

The newly implemented digital system allows graduates from technical, undergraduate, and graduate programs from both public and private institutions across the 32 states to request their professional licenses online. Applicants can complete the process via the website www.gob.mx/cedulaprofesional, using their Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP), the advanced electronic signature provided by the SAT, and a payment method like a credit or debit card. This eliminates the need for in-person visits.

Although the process has shifted online, physical professional licenses will remain valid. In case of loss, or for those who prefer the physical format, professionals can request the digital license through the new online system.

José Omar Sánchez, Director, DGP, says that since 2018, over 4 million digital professional licenses have been issued. Most of these belong to individuals in social sciences fields such as law, accounting, and administration. A significant portion, around 21%, are in technological fields like logistics, data analysis, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, with more than 18% related to healthcare professions.

The DGP expects to issue 800,000 digital professional licenses and register over 1 million academic titles by 2025. For individuals who obtained their degrees before 2018, they must first request their university to register their title electronically to use the new digital system or contact DGP for assistance via email.

Additional changes include the digital issuance of the certificate of no sanctions, which will be delivered to applicants via email, and the option to request a provisional graduate certificate beginning in the seventh semester of studies. The DGP is also working with universities to ensure accurate credit verification before issuing such documents.

The reform also expedites other processes. The time it takes to verify and update the recognition of official validity for educational institutions will be cut down to 15 days, a significant reduction from the six months it previously took, addressing delays and minimizing third-party involvement.