Does the new Compulsory UID for Doctors mean they can now practice throughout India without the need for separate state licence?

Does the new Compulsory UID for Doctors mean they can now practice throughout India without the need for separate state licence?

As a part of the recent regulations by the NMC all registered medical practioners will be given a Unique Identification Number (UID), and a National Medical Registry will be maintained. I’ve already answered some basic questions on this in my previous posts. Here's the answer to some more important questions you might have regarding this.

11. Will the UID be the same all over India or state specific?

The doctor will have to opt for a state to practice in when registering for the UID. The certificate of licence to practice shall contain a registration number which shall be formed in such a way that a Unique Identification Number shall be suffixed with a Code of the concerned State/Union Territory.

12. Will the UID be enough to practice all over India?

Unfortunately no. Practising medicine in a state which is not the registered state at the time of initial registration will still require obtaining permission from the concerned state medical council.

13. Then how is this a centralised system?

It isn’t truly centralised, but it does make the process of obtaining state licences to practice a little easier than it is currently. A doctor desirous to practice medicine in another State may apply to the concerned State through the web portal of the Ethics & Medical Registration Board rather than having to appear in person. It also provides that If no decision is taken by the state medical council within 30 days of receipt of the transfer of registration, the same shall automatically be deemed to have been approved.

14. Will the UID remain the same even in the new state?

While the UID remains constant no matter which state you are registered in, the certificate to licence shall contain a code where the Code of the concerned State/Union Territory shall be substituted with the Code of the new State/Union Territory.

15. Will foreign doctors visiting for an expert visit, research or courses need a UID?

A provision has been made whereby foreign citizens who are registered medical practitioners in their country, can apply for temporary registration in India for the purpose or perusing courses, fellowships, clinical research, expert visits and voluntary clinical service.

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