In Israel, the Ministry of Health along with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Chief Rabbinate certify mohels and enforce certain standards. Certified mohels must train both in the practical-surgical aspects and in the halachic-theoretical aspects of circumcision and then apprentice alongside certified mohels.

At the end of their training, mohels are tested in both the theoretical and practical regulations. An inter-ministry committee, which is also responsible for issuing and renewing licenses and for distributing a manual for mohels, supervises certified mohels.

The law does not prohibit non-certified mohels from performing circumcisions, and in fact there are many uncertified and therefore officially unsupervised mohels. Outside of Israel, the training of mohels is unregulated and unchecked. Most mohels study and apprentice with experienced practitioners before performing the procedure independently.

In 1998, the Israeli Supreme Court dismissed an appeal arguing for stricter regulations of mohels. Over the years, the Knesset has reviewed several versions of a proposed law, the most recent in 1998, due to a sharp rise in circumcision of adults, immigrants from the former Soviet Union. The Knesset committee for public appeals also debated the issue in June 1998.