Objective To observe the validity and feasibility of PBL teaching method in occupational health and occupational medicine theory teaching.Methods Sixty-one five-year undergraduates majored in preventive medicine were selected and self-control was applied.Two teaching contents which had similar teaching requirements were selected,one applied PBL teaching method and the other applied traditional teaching method.Students' results and passing rate in examination were analyzed and compared.SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis and data were manifested as ((x-) ± s).T test was used to do comparison between average results and chi-square test was used to do comparison between rates.SAS 9.0 software was employed and Fisher's exact probability analysis was performed on percent of pass.P＜0.05 stands for statistically significant differences.Results Test scores of the students taught by PBL teaching method were significantly higher than those of students taught by traditional teaching method (P＜0.05).Both female and male students' test scores were improved (P＜0.05) and increase of female students' test scores were more obvious than male students'.Passing rate of female students taught by PBL teaching method was significantly higher than female students taught by traditional teaching method (P＜0.05).Conclusion PBL teaching method applied in occupational health and occupational medicine theory teaching can significandy improve the quality of teaching.