According to information published in the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper on January 17, applicants for the degree of candidate of sciences may be individuals with a higher education.

Individuals who have completed the full course of study in graduate school are not eligible to apply for a candidate of science degree.

Applicants may be assigned to prepare a candidate's dissertation for a period of no more than three years.

An applicant may not be simultaneously enrolled in two or more higher education institutions or research organizations.

To be enrolled in a higher education institution or research organization, an applicant for a PhD degree must submit:

An application addressed to the rector of the higher education institution or the head of the research institution;

A research paper on the chosen topic, consistent with the student's specialty;

A copy of the higher education diploma (for those who received higher education abroad, a copy of the relevant diploma and a certificate of equivalence issued by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan).

An identity document and a diploma of higher education (for persons who received higher education abroad - the corresponding diploma and a certificate of its equivalence issued by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan) must be presented by the applicant in person.