Abstract: Objective By empirical research of the professional identity of medical students, we aim to understand the status and influencing factors, thus to provide a basis for improvement of medical students' professional identity. Methods According to literature and interviews, we made a questionnaire about' the research on professional identity of medical students', including five dimensions, i. e. vocational condition, vocational value, vocational cognition, vocational emotion and vocational behavior. We surveyed clinical medical students in Medical College of Shantou University by cluster and simple randomization method and did single factor t-test, independent sample t-test and multiple factors t test to the survey results via SPSS 20. 0. Results The professional identity of medical students in Medical College of Shantou University in a whole scoring above 3 accounts for 96%, with vocational value having the highest level, while vocational behavior and condition having relatively lower levels. Students majoring in medical by their own wills have higher professional identity in all dimensions; student cadres have higher professional identity in vocational value, emotion and behavior, with statistical significance (P < 0. 05). Conclusion Medical students' professional identity as a whole remained in the medium level.The current professional environment interfered with medical students' professional identity, and professional behavior choice was negative; with the deepening of professional learning, professional identity was decreased; organization ability strengthened medical students' professional identity. Vocational condition, interest in medicine, consciousness of responsibility and service as well as spirit of dedication are factors that influence the professional identity of medical students. The government should strengthen the supervision, and schools should strengthen guidance, thus to enhance the students' professional identity, and to increase the confidence of the students.