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The Case of State Licensing in India: Empowering or Restricting Healthcare Professionals? PART 1



Table of Contents

  • The Importance of Medical Licensing

  • Overview of Licensing in India

  • Licensing in India: The Process

  • Eligibility Criteria
    Application Procedure
    Examination Requirements
    Internship and Residency
    State-Specific Variations
    Key Licensing Agencies
    License Application Process
    Renewal and Updates

  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-State Licensing

  • Enhanced Access to Healthcare

  • Fostering Medical Innovation

  • Simplified Relocation for Medical Professionals

  • Conclusion


 

The Importance of Medical Licence

A medical license helps you hold all the cards. Mandatory credentials, registration, and getting a medical license in healthcare have authorized practice for doctors, nurses, dentists, and paramedics. On the flip side, it ensured legal and correct patient care. Licensure plays a critical role in maintaining the legitimacy of healthcare services through the use of strict standards, the dismissal of quacks, and the recognition of well-trained experts. Stay tuned as we talk about healthcare licensing in India, know-how on multiple state medical licenses, medical license requirements, its related features, and the key differences from the international license in healthcare.



Overview of Healthcare Licensing in India

The Indian healthcare system has expanded by leaps and bounds. The growing middle class, governmental attempts at globalization, exceptional standards of clinical education, and low overheads are the driving factors that have further underlined the importance of Indian healthcare in the world economy.

The hospital industry is expected to rise from $61.8 billion in 2017 to a staggering $132 billion by 2023, representing a robust annual growth rate of 16-17%. Meanwhile, India's MedTech business is already worth $11 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 15% over the last three years, and is expected to reach $50 billion by 2030. In 2020, India's medical tourism business was valued at $5-6 billion, with a projected increase to $13 billion by 2026. All this pivots on a fundamental rule—top-notch clinical services and authorized practices.

The MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) is India's major legislative authority establishing healthcare policies.


India's Governmental Regulatory Bodies:


  • The National Medical Commission (NMC) is India's highest-level medical services and education regulating agency. It was established by the National Medical Commission Act of 2019 (the NMC Act). The NMC replaced the previous regulatory body, the Medical Council of India.


Other Governing Bodies:

  • Indian Medicine Central Council

  • Dental Council of India Indian Nursing Council

  • State-Level Regulation: Pharmacy Council of India Allied Health Professionals Council

Each Indian state has its own regulatory council that oversees and regulates medical practitioners.


Licensing in India: The Process


Scrummaging through the MoHFW and NMC websites can be daunting for aspirants and fresh graduates. As long-time professionals in the field, we are aware of the difficulties. So let us break ‘medical license requirements’ down for you:


  • Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria entail a clear understanding of the qualifications and prerequisites needed to apply for a healthcare license. These criteria will differ depending on the type of medical profession you want to pursue, such as becoming a doctor, dentist, or nurse.

  • You are required to pass the Class 12/Higher Secondary/Pre-University qualifying test with science courses (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology).

  • English proficiency as the main subject of the qualifying examination is required.

  • At the time of admission, candidates must be at least 17 years old.


  • Application Procedure

Filling out necessary forms, presenting required documentation, paying the associated fees, and adhering to deadlines are all part of this phase. It is critical to understand the application process, especially as there are multiple state medical license procedures and healthcare branches.


  • Examination Requirements

The specific exams may include written tests, practical assessments, and oral interviews, depending on your chosen healthcare career.

  • Medicine: NEET, NEET PG, INI CET, DNB CET (Diplomate of National Board Centralized Entrance Test-Super Specialty) are national-level entrance examinations conducted by NBE (National Board of Examinations), NEET SS for MCH courses, PGIMER.

  • Dentistry: NEET, NEET MDS, and INI CET

  • Nursing: NEET, AIIMS Nursing, KCET, CUET, IPU CET, BVP CET, AIIMS Nursing, PGIMER Nursing

  • Allied Health Sciences: NEET, AIIMS Paramedical, AIAPGET

  • Pharmaceuticals: GPAT

  • Healthcare Administration: INI CET


  • Internship and Residency

Completing an internship or residency program is an obligatory prerequisite across healthcare sectors. It is vital to gaining practical and hands-on experience in a clinical setting. The length and nature of your internship or residency will depend on your medical field. Completing an internship successfully is not only mandatory for the degree but also for your professional development.

The last step in obtaining a practice license is finishing the internship and residency programs. Specializations and fellowships, on the other hand, may necessitate different rules and regulations.


  • State-Specific Variations and License Application Process

The Medical Council Acts of each state regulate the licensing and registration of medical practitioners. The goal of this system was to manage healthcare organizations and practitioners in minute detail.


A brief on the state licensing system:

  • Application: You must submit your educational credentials, internship completion certificates, and other needed evidence to the State Medical Council of your state where you have completed your education.

  • Fee for Licensing: Remember to complete the process by submitting an application fee.

  • Verification and Review: The State Medical Council evaluates the application and verifies the applicant's credentials as needed.

  • License Granting: If all conditions are met and the documentation is in order, the State Medical Council issues a medical license, authorizing you to practice medicine in that state.


  • Key Licensing Agencies

States have their licensing boards, such as the Karnataka Medical Council or the Punjab Medical Council. These councils are in charge of granting licenses to medical practitioners to practice in their respective states.


  • Renewal and Updates

Licenses in healthcare need to be updated from time to time. Healthcare licenses, such as medical practitioner registrations, nursing licenses, and allied healthcare professional certificates, normally have validity, depending on the type and state regulations. The usual renewal process includes:

Many boards require you to complete Continuing Medical Education (CME) criteria during the validity period of your license—attending certified workshops, conferences, and courses to stay up to date on your knowledge and skills. This is to stay updated with the latest medical advancements, treatments, and technologies.


The process often involves submitting proof of CME completion, updating personal and professional information, and paying the requisite renewal fees.


Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-State Licensing


State-specific licensing undoubtedly improves healthcare management and prudent resource allocation, but it can occasionally cause issues for practitioners who are willing to cross borders to expand their practice.


  • Enhanced Access to Healthcare

Offering benefits to better manage healthcare services, state-wise licensing of healthcare professionals ensures micro-management of quality patient outcomes. Handling a smaller group of healthcare workers reduces gaps in healthcare delivery, ensures timely monitoring of healthcare facilities, and expedites the process of appointing practitioners to remote areas of India.

While there are major benefits to multi-state licensing, there are also drawbacks to consider.


  • Rapid Response to Healthcare Needs

In emergencies or a healthcare crisis, a multi-state license stops experts from quickly deploying their skills to areas with urgent medical needs.


  • Challenging Resource Allocation

Multi-state licensing may necessitate additional resources for system management and oversight. Allocating cash to build and maintain such systems may cause an additional financial burden on healthcare. A compact licensure system can solve this problem.


  • Bureaucratic Delays

The requirement to coordinate and integrate licensing processes between jurisdictions can pose bureaucratic stumbling blocks. It could cause delays, extra paperwork, money, and potential inefficiencies in the licensing process, affecting the timely deployment of healthcare workers.


  • Delayed Treatments

Variations in healthcare norms and procedures between states may have an impact on patient outcomes, necessitating strong rules for oversight and quality assurance. Such multi-state licensing hurdles may pose a challenge, especially in the practice protocols of a healthcare professional.


Conclusion

Anastomos, as an online platform by healthcare experts for all healthcare professionals, not only offers expert career guidance in medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health sciences, paramedical science, and healthcare business but also serves as a platform to voice your thoughts on the healthcare fraternity worldwide.

If you are a mentor, social media expert, or simply an advocate of healthcare journalism in the country, feel free to collaborate with Anastomos! Together, let’s enlighten healthcare professionals in India and worldwide to foster a change for the better. Stay tuned as we discuss this topic in greater detail in Part 2 of this series.