Abstract: Professional competence is defined as the habitual and judicious use of communication, knowledge, technical skills, clinical reasoning, emotions, values, and reflection in daily clinical practice. At present, many studies focus on the application of professional competence to medical education and job evaluation in China. However, further theoretical and empirical research is still needed to facilitate Chinese medical education and physician career development in the future. This article reviews the assessment methods and dimensions of professional competence, as well as the research progress of professional competence in China, with the aim of providing reference for Chinese medical education and physician career development.