NMC Releases Temporary Registration Guidelines for Foreign Medical Practitioners, Here are Key Takeaways
New Delhi: Around eight months after the publication of "Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023", the National Medical Commission (NMC) has now released the Temporary Registration Guidelines for foreign medical practitioners.
"These guidelines should be borne in mind while applying for Temporary Registration for prompt disposal of the requests made in this regard," the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC mentioned in the recent notice dated 18.01.2024.
Releasing these guidelines, NMC has specified who needs to apply for such temporary registrations, what are the eligibility conditions and how long such registrations will remain valid. The Commission has also specified the general conditions and what the doctors cannot do under temporary registration.
The key takeaways from the temporary registration guidelines are as follows:
♦ Who needs to apply for Temporary Registration?
As per the new guidelines, a foreign citizen and who is enrolled as a medical practitioner in accordance with the law regulating of medical practitioners in that country on being sponsored to practice medicine in India may be permitted temporary registration for the following purposes:
(i) For pursuing Postgraduate and : Super-Specialty courses recognized under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
(ii) Fellowship/Certificate Courses/Clinical Research/Clinical Training/Observership.
(iii) Expert Visit- for providing the training in techniques/procedures required in various areas of the medical profession and not available in the country.
(iv) Voluntary Clinical Service- Visiting as a doctor for performing community service.
♦ What will be the duration of Temporary Registration?
â—ŠThe guidelines mentioned that the duration of temporary registration will be limited to the duration of the program/course/activity for which the application has been made and accepted, subject to the maximum duration of 12 months except in case of formal Post graduate / Super specialty / Fellowship courses approved by the National Medical Commission and the National Board of Examinations.
â—ŠHowever, during exceptional conditions like war, natural disasters, pandemics and epidemics etc. experts and volunteers may be granted with an emergency temporary registration for only one month.
â—ŠThe guidelines have specified that the duration will cease on the last date of the temporary registration or the date of expiry of valid Indian visa, whichever is earlier.
â—ŠNMC clarified in the guidelines that the candidates shall not continue any form of approved clinical work as soon as the validity of visa has expired even if the temporary registration period is valid.
â—ŠIn case, the candidate leaves the country, the temporary registration shall be deemed to have been fully utilized and it will be terminated.
♦ Eligibility Conditions for Temporary Registrations:
As per the guidelines, the following requirements need to be fulfilled by the candidate to be granted temporary registration:
â—Š The applicant needs to possess necessary registration/licensure credentials from the appropriate authority/authorities of their country and this registration/licence needs to be valid at the time of application and continue to be valid for the duration of temporary registration.
â—Š Along with the application, the applicant also needs to provide a Certificate of "Good Standing" or equivalent from the registration or appropriate authorities of their native country clearly indicating that the registration/licence of the candidate to practice medicine is currently valid, it has not been suspended/cancelled and the candidate is currently free from any professional misconduct or investigations thereof.
â—Š If the document is in a language other than English, the original document should invariably be enclosed with the English translation.
â—Š Another condition is that the candidate has been invited/selected/approved to visit India for professional/academic purposes such as- to pursue PG and Super-Specialty courses recognized under NMC Act, 2019, fellowship/certificate courses/clinical research/clinical training/observership, expert visit, voluntary clinical service etc.
â—Š Such application for temporary registration needs to be supported by an appropriate Sponsor.
â—Š The applicant's visit has been cleared by the appropriate authorities as necessary in India as well as their native country.
"All applications shall be made online to the Ethics and Medical Registration Board through the website of the National Medical Commission or in a manner as notified by the National Medical Commission from time to time," NMC mentioned in the guidelines.
Further, the Commission has also laid down the requirements specific to the visit, such as to pursue PG or Superspeciality courses, fellowship/clinical research/clinical training/observership, etc., expert visit, and voluntary clinical service.
♦ General Conditions (what is allowed and barred under Temporary Registration):
As per the guidelines, the following purposes can be served under the temporary registration:
(i) This temporary registration confers privileges of the purpose for which he/she has been given the 'registration, commensurate with the qualifications declared by the applicant.
(ii) Registrant (i.e. Foreign Medical Practitioner) shall work only under the supervision of the sponsor.
(iii) The sponsor shall permit the registrant to undertake responsibilities and perform procedures appropriate to the level of qualifications and competence of the registrant.
(iv) During the performance of responsibilities by the registrant, should any issues or complaints arise related to ethical or professional conduct, including medicolegal; the sponsor shall be liable to vicarious responsibility.
(v) Registrants pursuing an NMC approved academic course may be enlisted to assist the Medical College/ Institution / Hospital in case of dire national exigencies such as epidemics and pandemics.
What is not permitted under temporary registration?
The NMC guidelines mentioned that the temporary registration does not permit the following:
a. Entitlement to sign or authenticate a medical or fitness certificate or any other such certificate;
b. Attending to medico legal procedures such as autopsy, unless otherwise required as a component of the training or academic programme for which the registration is granted;
c. Acting as an expert medical witness in any court of law;
d. Being available for emergency duties unless otherwise required as a component of the training or academic programme for which the registration is granted;
e. Performing surgical / interventional procedures unless otherwise required as a component of the training or academic programme for which the registration is granted;
f. Holding any Permanent or Adhoc Teaching Post in any medical institution in India as approved by the National Medical Commission unless otherwise required as a component of the training or academic programme for which the registration is granted. Such registrants shall however not be counted in the strength of the faculty of the institution in any manner whatsoever.
g. Provide in any manner any advantage or eligibility for any other type of Registration including Provisional Registration and Permanent Registration by SMC/NMC.
h. Permission to practice medicine as a qualified medical practitioner unless otherwise required as a component of the training or academic programme for which the registration is granted provided in such cases the practice shall be restricted to the institution or affiliated institution as may be appropriate and necessary for the training or academic programme.
i. Any other as may be prescribed by the sponsor or other competent authority from time to time.
♦ Curtailment/Suspension/Withdrawal/Cancellation of Registration:
The guidelines specified that the duration of temporary registration may be curtailed/suspended or even withdrawn/cancelled at any time if such action/actions are warranted according to the prevailing rules/ regulations of the National Medical Commission/ State Medical Council or on the recommendation of the Government of India/ University/ Medical College/ Institution / Hospital / Court of law.
Further, the new guidelines have also discussed in detail about the sponsors (individual/institutional). It also provided the details regarding the detailed categories under temporary registration- with respect to the purpose of pursuing PG or superspeciality courses, for expert visit, and for emergency requirements.
To view the guidelines, click on the link below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-temporary-registration-guidelines-230541.pdf
Also Read: Finally, NMC Announces A Common National Medical Register for All Doctors
