Among numerous thyroid nodules, the accurate identification of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), which is the main type of thyroid malignancy, is a critical component in preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules, and is also the first step toward reducing diagnostic surgery and realizing the proper management of DTC. The molecular diagnosis may play an important role in this process. Based on review of the literature of the last 5 years, the authors address the progress in the field of molecular diagnosis, with the emphasis on application population and diagnostic efficiency evaluation, as well as the commercially available molecular diagnostic tools together with their application values, considerations of health economics, and the misconceptions.