24. Medical licensing began in medieval Europe
Licensed physicians emerged in medieval Europe, with different requirements of education and training based on location. Montpellier, in southern France, was the site of the great medical institutions by the fourteenth century; Bologna and Padua dominated in the Italian provinces. Through most of the medieval period, the University of Bologna was the only institution to award degrees in surgery. Most of the medical universities required their students to obtain a Master of Arts degree prior to undertaking medical training, and as has been seen, a comprehensive knowledge of Latin and Greek was necessary. At Montpellier, a student with a Masters of Arts degree undertook five years of medical study, followed by eight months of practice under supervision before obtaining a license as a physician.
The University of Bologna exemplified the importance of astrology to medical education, requiring its students to complete three years of study of the stars and planets, and four years of medical study. Another three years of the study of philosophy was required. Of course, throughout Europe, one could simply claim to be a doctor and practice, though it was necessary to either bribe or avoid the local authorities.