New Delhi, Oct 3: The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), with the approval of the central government, has released the draft “Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2025” for public comments.
Mandatory Registration for Practice
Under the draft rules, no individual will be permitted to practice in any recognised category of allied and healthcare professions without formal registration. Professionals must first register with their respective State Council and subsequently with the Central Register, after which they will be allotted a Unique Identification (UID) number to practice across India.
Special Provisions for States, Foreigners and Existing Practitioners
Residents of states or Union Territories without a State Council will be required to directly register with the Central Register. Practitioners already working before the Act but without recognised qualifications will be eligible for provisional registration. Foreign-qualified professionals will only be allowed to register after an equivalency evaluation as per the regulations.
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligibility requires a recognised qualification from an approved institution and clearing an exit exam—until a new exam is introduced, the final qualifying exam from recognised institutions will suffice. State Councils must process applications within 30 days, and fees are capped at ₹2,000. Applicants must submit documents such as qualification proof, internship completion, transcripts, ID, and experience certificates.
Unique ID and Additional Qualifications
Each healthcare professional will receive a UID structured with country code, state abbreviation, category number, year of registration, and a unique serial. Professionals can later add further qualifications by applying to the Commission with a fee of ₹1,000, which will update both State and Central Registers.
Validity, Renewal and Continuous Training
Registrations will remain valid for five years, after which renewal is mandatory. Renewal requires proof of at least 15 hours of continuous professional development annually, totalling 75 hours in five years. Participation in workshops, seminars, training and faculty development programmes will count, but only 50% of such learning may be online. Renewal fees are capped at ₹1,000.
Appeals and Duplicate Certificates
If an application is rejected, the State Council must provide written reasons. Applicants can appeal to the Commission within 30 days by paying a ₹5,000 fee, with the Commission required to decide within 90 days. The draft also permits duplicate certificates in case of loss or damage, with fees not exceeding ₹2,000.
Penalties for Violations
All registrations, renewals, removals, and restorations will be reflected in both State and Central Registers. The draft warns that violations of its provisions will invite penalties as prescribed under the Act or under Section 59 where unspecified. Provisional and temporary registrations have also been outlined for specific cases.
