[3] The pathway to earn the qualification requires passing a rigorous Hong Kong Medical Licensing Examination (HKMLE) and undergoing a period of training or local work experience.

The pre-1997 colonial government exempted graduates of commonwealth countries from having to sit for a licensing exam or having to serve additional training.

The Licentiate Society traces its formation to 15 June 2017, when the doctors started a popular WhatsApp group and began meeting regularly.

On 26 November 2019, the group incorporated as a nonprofit company limited by guarantee with the name Medical Licentiate Society of Hong Kong.

The Licentiate Society has LMCHK doctors from over 20 different licensing jurisdictions including (in order by relative numbers of doctors): UK, Mainland China, Australia, Ireland, USA, Canada, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Belgium, India, Korea, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.