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Feedback / Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome your feedback. If you have questions or feedback on matters related to the registration and regulation of conduct of registered medical practitioners in Singapore, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions to see if your queries have already been addressed.

Otherwise, please complete the e-enquiry form here, or email your enquiry to SMC@spb.gov.sg.


Medical Registration

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Q1. How do I update my particulars? 

A1. To update personal details, please login to the Professional Registration System (PRS):
(i) Click ‘Login for Doctors & Providers’ at www.smc.gov.sg;
(ii) Select ‘Doctor’;
(iii) Click ‘Login here with Singpass’ tab;
(iv) Enter Singpass ID and password.

After login, you may access Administration -> Update Particulars function.

Q2. What is COPS? How do I request for a copy of the COPS?

A2. COPS is a Certificate of Professional Status. It was previously known as CGS - Certificate of Good Standing. 

The COPS includes basic information on the doctor’s registration status with SMC and any other information related to the doctor’s performance, including any action that has been taken against the doctor by SMC. It is issued directly to the overseas regulatory body or medical council via email.

The COPS is sent to overseas medical authorities for the purpose of a doctor’s registration to practise medicine in the overseas jurisdiction only. The COPS is not meant for commercial activity (e.g. to certify that the doctor is in good standing for his/her application for public listing of his/her company) or application for APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore.

To proceed with the application for COPS, please login here to SMC’s Professional Registration System.

To apply:
(i) Click here to login to Professional Registration System;
(ii) Select ‘Doctor’;
(iii) Click ‘Login here with Singpass’ tab;
(iv) Enter Singpass ID and password.

After login, you may access Application > CGS/COPS function.

The application fee of S$80, payable via credit card, is not refundable.

The average processing time of a straightforward application is 14 working days. SMC will take a longer time to review a complex application.

Q3. I have just obtained a new NRIC number (Singapore Permanent Resident status) and am unable to login to PRS via Singpass. What should I do?

A3. Doctors who have obtained Singapore Permanent Resident status will need to update their NRIC details with SMC in order to login to the PRS with their Singpass. 

Please email a certified true copy of your blue NRIC (front and back) to SMC@spb.gov.sg for verification. A true copy must be certified by either the Human Resource Personnel of your current local employer or a Notary Public with an official stamp of the institution/hospital, the full name of the signatory and a professional designation.

Once the certified document is received and in order, we will proceed to update in the system. After your record is updated, we will notify you and you can proceed to log in.

Q4. I am an international medical graduate. What are the criteria for me to be registered as a doctor in Singapore?

A4. You must have a basic medical qualification that is listed in the ‘List of Registrable Basic Medical Qualifications’. In addition, the doctor must fulfil the SMC’s prevailing requirements, which includes an offer of employment with an SMC-approved healthcare institution.

Please note that satisfaction of the general criteria for medical registration does not guarantee approval. Every application for medical registration will be considered by SMC, based on its own merits and subject to SMC’s prevailing requirements that may change from time to time.

Q5. How do I submit an application for medical registration with SMC?

A5. If you have satisfied all the prevailing Requirements for Conditional Registration and have obtained an offer of employment with an SMC-approved healthcare institution, you may login to the Professional Registration System (PRS) here to submit the registration application online. The current system software works best with Internet Explorer.

If you have been previously registered with SMC, please login using your old MCR number.

If you have not been registered with SMC previously, please click on “Pre-Application for New Doctors Only” and answer the requisite questions to allow the system to generate a temporary User ID and password for you to login to PRS. 

Details on the application process and supporting documents required for registration are found at Documentation Requirements & Processing Time.

Q6. I am an international medical graduate. What is the procedure to get a provisional licence in Singapore and start the Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) program?

A6. Provisional registration allows a medical graduate to be employed as a Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) trainee or House Officer in one or more approved hospitals in Singapore.

Eligible International Medical Graduates must obtain an offer of employment as a PGY1 trainee with MOH Holdings Pte Ltd (MOHH) before they can apply for Provisional Registration with SMC. If you have deemed to meet the requirements (including a basic medical qualification listed in the ‘List of Registrable Basic Medical Qualifications’), please seek employment with MOHH directly. 

Please refer to MOHH’s website for more information on the medical service career path.

Please note that satisfaction of the criteria for medical registration does not guarantee approval. Every application for medical registration will be considered by SMC based on its own merits and is subject to prevailing requirements that may change from time to time.

Q7. I am an international medical graduate and would like to practise aesthetic/open my own (aesthetic) clinic in Singapore. What are the criteria?

A7. Only fully registered doctors with the SMC may practise in an aesthetic clinic in Singapore.

Q8. I was previously registered with SMC. Can I apply for registration with SMC again?

A8. If you wish to practise again in Singapore, you will need to submit an online application to resume your practise to SMC; subject to an offer of employment and SMC’s prevailing requirements for registration at the point of application. You may refer to the following links on the prevailing requirements for medical registration:
(i) Requirements for Conditional Registration
(ii) Documentation Requirements & Processing Time

All the supporting documents required for the application for medical registration must be uploaded, except for the letter of verification (LV) for your medical qualification. Any new information or documents not provided/furnished before must be submitted in support of your new application. 

Your past performance as assessed by your supervisor(s) and/or other healthcare professionals during your previous practise in Singapore will be taken into consideration when SMC reviews your application.

Please note that doctors applying to resume their practise or change of employer must also fulfil the prevailing Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements before applying for a new practising certificate (PC). You are advised to fulfil such requirements early as the processing time for CME applications may take 3 to 4 weeks. You may visit our SMC website for the CME requirements for doctors.

Please note that doctors whose names were removed from the Register can only apply for restoration of their names to the SMC’s Register, subject to prevailing conditions and fees, followed by an application for a new PC.

Q9. I have graduated as a medical doctor and completed residency overseas. I am interested to work in Singapore as a Specialist. What types of documentation or certifications would I need in order to work in Singapore?

A9. SMC will only consider granting medical registration to an International Medical Graduate who has the medical qualification that is recognised by SMC and fulfils SMC’s prevailing requirements including an offer of employment with an SMC-approved healthcare institution. 

In order to be accredited and registered as a Specialist in Singapore, it is a two-step process as follows:
(i) You must first be accredited by the Specialists Accreditation Board (SAB). 
(ii) Only upon successful accreditation by SAB, can the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) process your application for specialist registration. 

We advise that concurrent applications be submitted to SAB & SMC in order to avoid any delay in the processing of the applications. Visit the SAB website here for more information on how a foreign trained specialist can be accredited and the SMC website here for information relating to specialist registration after getting the accreditation.
 
Foreign-trained doctors must receive an employment offer with approved hospitals or healthcare providers in Singapore before submitting an application for accreditation and registration. Please note that all applications will be considered on its own merits.

Q10. I have obtained a Family Medicine (FM) qualification and am interested in finding out about Family Physician accreditation.

A10. The criteria for Family Physician (FP) Accreditation are:
(i) must be practising in Singapore at the time of application; 
(ii) must possess a postgraduate Family Medicine (FM) qualification (e.g. MMed(FM), GDFM, MRCGP) recognised by the Family Physicians Accreditation Board (FPAB) Singapore;
(iii) have at least 3 years of post-housemanship clinical FM practice; and
(iv) must practise Family Medicine locally in Singapore for at least 30 hours per month with such practice months totalling at least 1 year in the preceding 3 years at the time of application.  

Your detailed work experience / CV must be submitted to verify the above criteria. The FPAB recognises clinical experience from post-housemanship onwards only in selected hospital postings recognised as relevant for FM with a cap on the duration of each type of posting.  

You should list your work experience in chronological order and it should have the following information including residency training details where applicable:
(i) Full name of the department(s)/clinic(s) (including Residency Continuity Clinics) that you practise/practised at;
(ii) Start and end dates (mm/yyyy) (including Residency Continuity Clinics) for each posting/practice place; 
(iii) Number of clinical hours you spent on a weekly basis at each practice place (including Residency Continuity Clinics); and
(iv) A brief description of your work scope for each posting/practice place (information should include the range of cases and profile of patients you seen).

Please note:
(i) Besides the criteria above, each application will be considered based on prevailing criteria for registration and subject to the assessment and approval of the FPAB.   
(ii) Doctors who are not registered as Family Physicians are not allowed to assume such title.  Doctors found doing so may be subject to disciplinary action as stipulated in Section 65(1A) of the Medical Registration Act.

The application fee is not refundable once successfully submitted in the SMC’s Professional Registration System.

Q11. When can conditionally registered doctors apply for full registration?

A11. Conditionally registered doctors may apply for full registration after they have fulfilled the conditions and periods of supervised practice which include prevailing criteria of overall performance, professional conduct and professionalism and fitness to practise.

You may refer to the following link on the eligibility and documentation requirements for full registration:

Eligibility and documentation requirements for Full Registration


Q12. How do I register my postgraduate qualification?

A12. Medical practitioners can apply to have their postgraduate qualifications registered by submitting an online application.

Please login to the Professional Registration System (PRS) here to submit your online application.

Q13. How do I know what are the qualifications that SMC allows for display and the documentation requirements for such application?

A13. Registered medical practitioners are only allowed to display qualifications that:
(i) Are entered against their name in the ‘Register of Medical Practitioners’; and 
(ii) Are listed in SMC’s List of Displayable Additional Qualifications  or List of Registrable Postgraduate Medical Qualifications

You may refer to the following link for more information on the display of qualifications: Information on Display of Qualification

If you would like to have your qualifications entered in the SMC’s register against your name in the SMC’s register as an additional qualification (AQ), you may submit an online application here with a non-refundable fee of $100 per application.

Q14. I am a visiting foreign surgeon who is engaged to assist practising surgeons at a local hospital for a short-term period. How do I apply for medical registration and practising certificate?

A14. Any visiting foreign doctor who wishes to practise medicine in Singapore must first apply for medical registration with SMC. He/she must fulfil SMC’s documentation requirements for the application for SMC’s consideration. Upon SMC’s approval, the foreign doctor has to arrange for a certificate of good standing to be issued directly to SMC from the overseas medical regulators in the country/countries where he/she has practised or has been practising 3 years prior to the SMC’s application.

To complete the registration with SMC, the foreign doctor has to apply for a practising certificate (PC) and fulfil all other conditions for the purpose of registration as stipulated in SMC’s approval letter before he/she can commence his/her practice in Singapore.

You may refer to the following links on the prevailing requirements for medical registration:

Requirements for Temporary Registration

Documentation Requirements & Processing Time

Q15. I am a registered doctor planning to go on No-Pay Leave (NPL). What are the procedures?

A15. If you are a fully registered doctor:
You are not required to seek the SMC’s approval to remain on the SMC’s register while you are on NPL. However, you are required to update your activity status by submitting an Update Particulars application through the Professional Registration System (PRS) accordingly. 

Separately, you may wish to clarify with your employer on any NPL conditions which you may have been bounded. 

If you are a conditionally registered doctor:
Your employer must submit an online application via the Professional Registration System (PRS) to seek the SMC’s approval for you to remain on the SMC’s register while you are on NPL at least four (4) weeks before you embark on/ continue with your NPL. You will receive an email notification from the SMC that the application has been approved.

If you do not receive an email notification from the SMC that the application has been approved one week before the start of your NPL period, please alert SMC to check on the application status.

If you are a temporarily registered doctor:
SMC’s prior approval for you to remain on the SMC’s register while you are on NPL is not required. However, your employer must ensure that you remain under its employment/training during the entire NPL period.

Please note that your temporary registration (T-reg) will not be automatically renewed beyond the approved T-reg duration to compensate for the NPL period you have taken. Further, your employer must inform the SMC immediately if your employment/training ceases during the NPL period.

If you are a provisionally registered doctor:
SMC’s prior approval for you to remain on the SMC’s register while you are on NPL is not required. However, your employer should still submit an online application via the PRS to SMC for records purpose.

Your employer must ensure that you remain under its employment during the entire NPL period. Your provisional registration (P-reg) will not be automatically renewed beyond the approved P-reg duration to compensate for the NPL period you have taken. Further, your employer must inform the SMC immediately if your employment ceases during the NPL period.

Q16. I am a foreign-trained doctor currently staying in Singapore. I would like to provide some health talks to local residents. Do I need to be registered with SMC?

A16. Medical registration is not required for giving talks on health topics not involving the practice of medicine. You must also not portray yourself as a registered doctor or medical consultant when giving such talks in Singapore. 

A doctor must be registered with SMC and have a practising certificate before he/she may, inter alia: (a) give medical advice during the talks; or (b) provide patient consultations; or (c) carry out live demonstrations of medical procedures in Singapore.


Supervisory Framework

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Q1. What are the criteria to be a supervisor under SMC’s supervisory framework?

A1. The set of criteria to be a supervisor is found in the “Supervisory Framework Guidelines” at this link which states:

For Hospitals/Specialty Centres, supervisors must be:
(i) Fully registered with SMC; and 
(ii) Designated Registrar*/ Senior Resident and above or registered specialist 

Designated Registrars*/ Senior Residents can only supervise conditionally/ temporarily registered Medical Officers (or equivalent) who are in their first or second year in the local healthcare system. 

* Designated Registrars must have a postgraduate qualification which is considered as an intermediate qualification relevant to the specialty/department.

For General Practices (Polyclinics, GP clinics), supervisors must:
(i) be fully registered with SMC; and 
(ii) have at least 5 years of experience in general practice in Singapore; OR
(iii) be a registered Family Physician in Singapore

For Step-down Care (VWOs, Community Hospitals, Hospices), supervisors must:
(i) be fully registered with SMC; and 
(ii) have at least 5 years of experience in relevant hospital/community services (VWOs, community hospitals, hospices) in Singapore; OR
(iii) be an on-site registered Family Physician or Specialist (e.g. Geriatrician, Palliative Medicine Physician, Rehabilitation Physician, General Physician) in Singapore.

The supervisor# must work on a full-time basis in the same department or practice place as the supervisee and provide timely and direct supervision.

# The supervisor should be equivalent or of a higher designation than the supervisee. Where the supervisee is a specialist, the supervisor must be of higher seniority.  SMC may also consider other criteria when assessing the suitability of the supervisor.  

In cases where the doctor works in an approved secondary practice place(s) or is training under the Residency Program, the SMC-approved primary supervisor is required to solicit feedback from the secondary supervisor(s) and Residency Program Director (if applicable) in completing the doctor’s periodic assessment reports.

With effect from 1 January 2021, fully registered doctors are required to be trained under the SMC’s Supervisory Framework before they can be appointed as SMC-approved supervisors for conditionally and temporarily registered doctors.

Q2. Can part-time fully-registered doctors be appointed as SMC’s supervisor?

A2. All doctors under Conditional Registration and Temporary Registration will be subject to monitoring under SMC’s Supervisory Framework (SF). Thus, fully registered doctors who are working part-time cannot be SMC supervisors as a supervisor must work on a full-time basis at the same department as the supervisee in order to provide timely and direct supervision.

Q3. What is my current level of supervision? How can I progress to the next level of supervision? What are the criteria for progression?

A3. Doctors are notified of their level of supervision in the letter of approval when they first registered with SMC, and subsequently through email when they have progressed to the next level of supervision. Should doctors misplace the information, they may approach their employer HR to enquire about their level of supervision.

Similarly, please check with the employer HR as the application for progression to the next level of supervision has to be submitted by the HR/Medical Affairs and supported by the Head(s) of Department(s)/Employer to the Council.

A conditionally registered doctor who receives at least “satisfactory” performance grading for a specified period with no adverse complaints and feedback may be considered for progression to the next level of supervision, subject to the approval of the SMC. 

Employers or Heads of Departments are strongly encouraged to put in a request for their doctor’s progression once he/she meets the criteria for progression to the next level of supervision. 

For more information on progression, please refer to pages 4 to 6 of the SMC Supervisory Framework Guideline.

Practising Certificate

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Q1. Do I need a Practising Certificate (PC) to practise in Singapore? How do I obtain a PC?

A1. Doctors who are registered with the Singapore Medical Council (also known as Registered Medical Practitioners) will need a valid PC in order to practise medicine in Singapore.

You are required to apply for a PC by submitting an online application through the SMC Professional Registration System (PRS).

Q2. My PC is expiring soon. Will it be renewed automatically?

A2. The renewal process is not automatic. Doctors need to log on to the SMC PRS before their PC expires to apply for a renewal. Failure to renew their PC one month before their PC expiry date, will result in a late application fee of S$80. 

Q3. I cannot renew my PC online and received the following message: 
“Note: Your register must meet all renewal criteria below.”

A3. You are required to fulfil the CME requirements and have no outstanding
fines for not voting at SMC’s elections.

(i) CME requirements:

Application Type

CME Requirements

PC renewal for doctors holding a 2-year PC

50 CME points, of which at least 20% or 10 points shall be core points in each of their registered specialty and/or in Family Medicine.

PC renewal for doctors holding a 1-year PC

25 CME points, of which at least 20% or 5 points shall be core points in each of their registered specialty and/or in Family Medicine.

For more information on CME requirements, please click here.

(ii) Voting requirements:
 
Please note that you will not be eligible to renew your PC if you have any outstanding fine(s) incurred as a result of failure to vote at any SMC election. We wish to highlight that voting is compulsory for all fully-registered medical practitioners under section 6 of the Medical Registration Act (Cap 174).


Q4. My employment will cease before my PC validity ends. I have applied for a one-year PC. Why does the PC application fee remain the same?

A4. The expiry date of a PC will always end on the last day of the year (i.e. 31 December), regardless when the doctor applies for the PC.

For example, if a doctor applies for a one-year PC on 1 Jun 2020, his PC will expire on 31 Dec 2020. There is no proration of fee and he or she will need to pay the full application fee for a one-year PC.

Q5. How do I make payment for my PC renewal application?

A5. Payment will be made online via credit card during the application process.

The payment process is not instantaneous. Please allow at least three working days for the processing of payment.

Q6. I have successfully submitted my PC renewal application but was not prompted for payment. Why?

A6. You may be under GIRO or Employer-Pay-On-Behalf (EPOB) scheme.

For GIRO-users, payment will be made at a later time on a fixed date. Doctors with an existing GIRO arrangement with the SMC will not be asked to make payment during the application stage. To verify if you are on GIRO, please check with your bank.

For doctors on EPOB scheme, payment will be made by your employer. To verify if you are under EPOB scheme, please check with your HR department.

Q7. My PC application is approved. How do I view and download my e-PC?

A7. You will be able to view and download the e-PC that is current and valid.
Once the e-PC is no longer valid, e.g. validity of e-PC has expired, you will no longer be able to view/download it.

To view and download your valid e-PC, please follow the steps below:
(a) Log in to the Professional Registration System (PRS) here
(b) At the left menu, click “Administration” followed by “View Certificates”
(c) Click on the hyperlink under “PC Period”

Q7 image


(d) The e-PC would then display in a pop-up window:

  • For most mobile device users, the e-PC should download and display automatically;
  • For laptop/computer uses, please follow instructions on the internet browser to view and download a copy of the e-PC.


Q8. I have made payment for my PC renewal. How can I obtain a receipt? (Applicable to doctors who paid for their own PC fee)

A8. To print your receipt, login here to the SMC Professional Registration System and followed by the steps below:
(i) Select “Application”
(ii) Select “Enquire Applications”. 
(iii) Search for your PC application number 
(iv) Print receipt under the “Remarks” column.

Q9. I lost my physical PC card. How do I replace it?

A9. To obtain a replacement of your PC, please login in here to the SMC Professional Registration System, and submit a Reprint Application – Replacement of Original Practising Certificate.

SMC requires a copy of local police report made for the lost PC as supporting document. Please upload the police report in your reprint application to expedite the processing of the application. The application fee is S$80. 

Once it is processed and approved, you will be able to view and download an electronic PC instead of the physical PC card.

Q10. I wish to cease practice. Should I renew my PC? Will I still be registered with SMC if I do not renew my PC?

A10. You do not need to renew your PC if you wish to cease practice. Your name will remain in SMC’s Register of Medical Practitioners as long as you remain contactable. Therefore, you are advised to update your particulars and remain contactable if you wish for your name to remain in SMC’s Register of Medical Practitioners. If you wish to resume practice in future, you may apply for a new PC.

If your name is removed from the Register of Medical Practitioners and you wish to resume practice, you may apply for restoration of your name to the Register, subject to prevailing conditions and fees, followed by an application for a new PC.

Q11. My PC has lapsed. How do I apply for a new PC?

A11. You may apply for a new PC if you have met the CME requirements and do not have any outstanding fine for not voting at the SMC Elections (applicable to fully registered doctors only).

Upon meeting the prevailing requirements, you may wish to apply for a new PC as follows:

(i) Login to the SMC website here to submit an application
(ii) If you are working or have worked overseas, a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) issued by the respective Medical Council(s) where you practise or have been practising prior to your application will be necessary. Please note that the original CGS must not exceed 3 months from its issue date when presented with your application. It must also be sent to the SMC directly by the overseas councils / licensing authorities. Please note that CGS submitted by the applicant will not be accepted by the SMC; and
(iii) If you are not in practice, please submit a letter of declaration to declare that you have not been in practice since the date of expiry of your PC.

Subject to complete submission of all documentation and fee required, the average processing time of an application for PC is about 3 weeks. Longer processing time may be required when the case is more complex or when SMC is experiencing a peak period.

Continuing Professional/Medical Education – For Doctors

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Q1. How do I view my CPE report?

A1. Login to the SMC Professional Registration System: 
(i) Select “CPE” 
(ii) Select “Monitoring of CPE”
(iii) Select “Detailed Report for Current QP” (as shown below).
CPE

CPE report will be as shown.

CPE report

Q2. How do I submit credit claims?

A2. (i) Local events [Cat1A / 1B]:
• The organisers (CME providers) will submit your attendance. Please ensure that you have signed your attendance after the event.

(ii) Overseas activities [Cat1C] / readings [Cat3A] / distance-learning programmes [Cat3B]:
• Login to the SMC Professional Registration System. 
• Select “CPE”, select “Submit CPE claims” and fill up the application form accordingly.
• Documentary proof in support of all claims should be retained and submitted to SMC.

submission of CPE claim

Q3. Why are my CPE points not reflected?

A3. In general, straightforward CPE applications and claims take 4 to 6 weeks for processing.

Reasons for a delay could be:
(i) Additional information required for our review
(ii) Activities you have attended may not be in SMC’s accredited list
(iii) Applications or claims may have been rejected due to:
     • Events are of non-medical related nature 
     • Events are organised by pharmaceutical, non-healthcare related companies skewed towards commercial purposes
     • Speakers and primarily audiences targeted are not doctors

Q4. What are the categories for accumulation of CPE claims?

A4. The list of accredited journals and activities can be accessed here. 

Q5. How may I attach documents when the application is routed to me for attachment of supporting documents?

A5. (i) Please log in and click on “Enquire CPE Claims” to find the application. 

(ii) Then click on the word “here” under “Remarks” to attach the supporting document. Please include your documents in “pdf” or “jpg” format and ensure that it does not exceed more than 1MB.

Enquire CPE Claims

Continuing Professional/Medical Education – For CME Providers

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Q1. How to submit attendance or add attendance records after submission of attendance?

A1. You may submit the attendance record online after the event application is approved.

Step 1: Login to your provider account 
(i) Select “Manage Events” 
(ii) Key in your event application ID 
(iii) Click on “Search” 

Your event application will appear under “Search Result”. Click on your event ID to access the application.

manage events
Step 2: Submit the attendance record. 

Add in the names and rows accordingly. 

If you have a large number in attendance, e.g. 100 doctors, download the systems excel template and upload the attendance file. 
 
Screenshot Example
For Cat1A event (Event ID: SMC2015XXXX-1A-XXXX):
Click on “Add attendance” (as shown below).
add attendance

Proceed to key in the doctors’ MCR number as indicated in green below. 

MCR number

Click on the “Submit” button once completed. 

If you have performed the above step and submitted the attendance records but wish to include more records, you may still do so. 
 
Click on “Add More Rows” and change the number according to the number of additional records. Proceed to include the additional names and click on “Submit” to complete the update.

Q2. How do I amend sessions due to change of dates?

A2. To change the date, say from 09/02/2017 to 16/02/2017, please follow the steps below:

old and new date range

session date

event start and end date

Q3. How to attach documents for applications routed back to me?


attachment for applications
Please upload documents in pdf or jpg file format. Files uploaded should not be more than 1MB in size.

Q4. What should I include in a Cat 1A application?

A4. If the event was previously approved, please furnish us with the event ID and details of the older event under the “Previous Event ID/Title” field on the online form.

Should this be an application for a new event, we would require you to fill up Cat 1A form and attach document to your online application. 

Cat 1A form can be found in SMC website under 'Downloads & Forms'.

Q5. What are the recommended number of sessions to submit for an application?

Duration of event

Suggested number of session(s)

Remarks

For a 1-<2 hour event

1 session

Please select the “Duration” of “1 to <2 hours” under Session details.

For a 2-4 hour event

1 session

Please select the “Duration” of “2 to 4 hours” under Session details

For a 1-day event

    (a) 1 session; or

 

 

    (b) 2 sessions

(b) If you are submitting 1 session, please select the “Duration” of “1 day” under Session details.

 

(a) If you are submitting 2 sessions, please select the “Duration” of “2 to 4 hours” for each session under Session details.

For a 1.5-day event

3 sessions

Please select the “Duration” of “2 to 4 hours” for each session under Session details.

For a 2-day event

    (a) 2 sessions; or

 

 

 

    (b) 4 sessions

(a) If you are submitting 2 sessions, please select the “Duration” of “1 day” for each session under Session details.

 

(b) If you are submitting 4 sessions, please select the “Duration” of “2 to 4 hours” for each session under Session details.

For events spanning more than 3 days

    (a) 1 session per day; or

 

 

    (b) 2 sessions per day

(a) If you are submitting 1 session per day, please select the “Duration” of “1 day” for each session under Session details.

 

(b) If you are submitting 2 sessions per day, please select the “Duration” of “2 to 4 hours” for each session under Session details.

Doctors on Reduced Practice

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Q1. What is reduced practice? What can a doctor on reduced practice do?

A1. Doctors in reduced practice can only write prescriptions for:
• himself/herself
• spouse
• child
• adopted child
• stepchild
• grandchild
• sibling
• parent
• step-parent
• grandparent

Examples of doctors in reduced practice are those who have retired or doing full-time administrative work. 

Doctors in reduced practice can apply for lower CME requirements and lower-fee PC. 

(A) Steps to apply for Lower CPE Requirements

(i) Log in to the SMC Professional Registration System using your Singpass under “Login for Doctors & Providers”
login for doctors &amp; providers

(i) Select “Request for Lowering of CPE”

lowering of cpe


(ii) Indication of “End Date”
Please note that if you have indicated an “End Date” in the “lowering of CPE requirements” application, you will be required to fulfil normal CPE/CME requirements with effect from that date. If you have retired, please do not put an “End Date” in the application. 

(iii) Update of Personal Particulars
Doctors are required to update their employment status under “Administration” tab accordingly. 

Note: 
Once approved, doctors in reduced practice will have their compulsory CPE/CME requirements lowered to:
(a) 10 points per year for those holding a 1-year PC; or 20 points per 2 years for those holding a 2-year PC; and
(b) There will be no core point requirements nor a cap on points earned within any CPE category.

Doctors on lower CPE requirements who wish to resume practice must inform SMC, fulfil the CPE criteria posted on our SMC website and apply for conversion from lower-fee PC to full-fee PC (prevailing PC application fee is applicable). 

(B) Application for lower-fee PC

You should apply for a lower-fee PC at your next PC renewal after the approval of your application for lower CPE requirements. Please select the option of “Lower-fee (1 year)” or “Lower-fee (2 years)”. 
Please note that there will not be any refund of PC application fees for unused PC period.  
 
lower fee year

Revision to the List of Overseas Medical Schools for Registration to Practise in Singapore

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Q1. Can you provide the most up-to-date list of overseas medical schools?

A1. The ‘List of Registrable Basic Medical Qualifications’ has been updated from 1 Sep 2022. 

Students who wish to pursue medical studies in a medical school listed in the List of Registrable Basic Medical Qualifications should note the primary qualifications column in the same list. If students enrol into a medical school in our list but are not conferred the corresponding medical qualification shown in our list, they are not eligible to be considered for medical registration in Singapore. 

Applicants may visit SMC’s website at www.smc.gov.sg for updates on medical registration.

Q2. Can you include the medical school that I graduated from in the list?

A2. The SMC reviews the List of Basic Registrable Basic Medical Qualification from time to time. The list is effective from 1 September 2022, hence it has no plans to expand the list in the near future.

Q3. Would this revision affect my chances of getting a Pre-Employment Grant (PEG) and chances of finding a job in Singapore?

A3. For pre-employment grant matters, please refer to the Ministry of Health Holdings (MOHH)’s website or contact them at pre.employment.grant@mohh.com.sg. Information on employment/job opportunities is available on MOHH’s website. SMC is unable to advise as employment matters by local healthcare institutions are not within its purview.
 

Q4. If I study in a campus that is offsite from the main medical school, would my degree be recognised by SMC for registration?

A4. Please note that any new campus that is off-site from the recognised main campus will not be recognised by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).

SMC Election

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Q1. When will an SMC Election be held?

A1. SMC will conduct an Election based on the available vacancies for elected members in the year of Election. Voting is compulsory for all fully registered doctors who are residing in Singapore and who hold a valid practising certificate (PC) during the Election period. All eligible voters will be notified via emails when the Election details are confirmed. SMC will also announce the SMC Election on the SMC website at https://www.smc.gov.sg.

Please note that information about the SMC Election will be sent to a doctor’s preferred email address as stated in the SMC Professional Registration System (PRS). Doctors are reminded to login to SMC PRS to update their particulars and contact details such as their preferred email address.

Q2. Who are the eligible voters for the SMC election?

A2. Fully registered doctors resident in Singapore and holding a valid PC during the SMC Election period are eligible to vote in the SMC Election.

Provisionally registered, Temporarily registered and Conditionally registered doctors are not required to vote in the SMC Election.

Q3. Are retired doctors holding lower-fee PC required to vote in the SMC election?

A3. Fully registered doctors holding a lower-fee PC or full-fee PC are required to vote in the SMC Election.

Q4. Is voting compulsory in the SMC Election?

A4. Yes, voting is compulsory for all Fully registered doctors resident in Singapore with a valid PC during the SMC Election period.

A Fully registered doctor who is required to vote and fails to do so shall not be entitled to renew / apply for a PC unless he/she satisfies the Registrar that he/she had a good and sufficient reason for not voting at the Election, OR he/she pays to SMC a penalty of S$500.

Q5. I am residing / working / studying overseas. Do I still need to vote in the SMC election?

A5. You can still vote if you are overseas during the entire SMC Election period. However, if you did not vote, you must write to SMC that you were overseas during the entire election period with supporting documents, eg. a copy of the boarding pass or your employment or school enrolment letter.

Q6. I do not know the candidates. How can I vote for them in the SMC Election?

A6. The CVs of all the candidates standing for SMC Election can be viewed on the Election Page. Additionally, the candidates will also provide a write up explaining why they are standing for SMC Election.


SMC Pledge Affirmation Ceremony

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Q1. When is the next pledge ceremony?

A1. The SMC Physician’s Pledge Affirmation Ceremony is a biannual event. The first ceremony held usually during the first quarter of the year is mainly for the conditionally registered doctors. The second ceremony usually held during the third/fourth quarter of the year is mainly for provisionally registered doctors.

Q2. I would like to register myself for the next pledge ceremony.

A2. The Pledge Ceremony is by invitation only. A conditionally registered doctor who has satisfied the minimum time-norm for supervised practice, subject to consistent overall satisfactory performance in his/her postings, and which SMC does not require to extend his/her period of supervision would generally be invited to attend an SMC Pledge Ceremony. 

The invitation to attend the Ceremony does not guarantee that the doctor will be granted full registration. The SMC will continue to evaluate the reports of the doctor’s clinical performance, ethics and professionalism, and feedback received before full registration can be given.

You will be invited to the Pledge Ceremony at an appropriate time taking into account the assessments and feedback received by SMC.

Q3. Doctors from the same batch/cohort as I have been invited to the pledge ceremony, but I have not received any invitation yet. May I know when will I be invited?

A3. Invitation to the pledge ceremony is not by cohort. SMC will assess a doctor’s clinical performance and feedback received before it extends an invitation to the doctor

Complaints against Medical Doctors

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Q1. Can the SMC help me to assess whether there are grounds for me to lodge a complaint?

A1. The SMC is unable to provide advice to individuals on whether there are grounds for them to lodge a complaint. If you wish to lodge a complaint against a doctor, you may wish to refer to section 40 of the Medical Registration Act (“MRA”) 1997 (as amended in 2020) and the SMC's Information Sheet for more information on what types of complaints the SMC will accept. 

Q2. How do I lodge a complaint against a doctor?

A2. The SMC operates under the remit of the Medical Registration Act 1997 ("MRA") in regulating the conduct of registered medical practitioners in Singapore. 

Under the MRA, if you wish to lodge a complaint against a doctor, you must submit a written complaint accompanied by a Statutory Declaration (“SD”) which can be made before a Commissioner for Oaths (“CO”), Notary Public (“NP”) or Justice of the Peace (“JP”). You may visit the Singapore Academy of Law’s website here for a list of COs and NPs in Singapore. Kindly ensure that all fields in the SD are duly completed.  

Your complaint must be type-written in English and should include the full name of the doctor(s), the full facts of the case and your allegations against the doctor(s). Please refer to the Sample Letter / Template for guidance when preparing your type-written complaint.

Once the SD has been duly endorsed, please scan it in colour and send us the following documents at smc@spb.gov.sg. Your email submission should contain only two attachments.    

a) Endorsed SD, complaint letter and supporting documents should be consolidated in one PDF file; and 
b) A completed and signed copy of the letter of acknowledgement form (see page 6 of information sheet)

Please note that we will only be able to process your complaint when the above documents have been provided. The SMC may reject any complaint or SD not made in compliance with the Singapore law or in accordance with its requirements.

For more information on how to lodge a complaint with the SMC, please refer to the SMC's Information Sheet.

Q3. I am a foreigner and am not residing in Singapore. How do I lodge a complaint against a doctor whom I consulted while I was in Singapore?

A3. Under the MRA, if you wish to lodge a complaint against a doctor, you must submit a written complaint accompanied by a SD which can be made before a CO, NP, JP or with any other person having authority under any law for the time being in force in that country to take or receive a declaration. 

Your complaint must be type-written in English and should include the full name of the doctor(s), the full facts of the case and your allegations against the doctor(s). Please refer to the Sample Letter / Template for guidance when preparing your type-written complaint.

Once the SD has been duly endorsed, please scan it in colour and send us the following documents at smc@spb.gov.sg. Your email submission should contain only two attachments.    

a) Endorsed SD, complaint letter and supporting documents should be consolidated in one PDF file; and 
b) A completed and signed copy of the letter of acknowledgement form (see page 6 of information sheet)

Please note that we will only be able to process your complaint when the above documents have been provided. The SMC may reject any complaint or SD not made in compliance with the Singapore law or in accordance with its requirements.

For more information on how to lodge a complaint with the SMC, please refer to the SMC's Information Sheet.

Q4. Can the SMC advise me on whether the treatment I received from the doctor is appropriate?

A4. The SMC is unable to advise individuals on the medical management of a patient by a doctor. If you have doubts about the treatment received from a doctor, please seek clarification from the doctor/healthcare institution(s) or seek a second opinion before deciding on your next course of action.

Q5. Can I submit a complaint against the hospital/clinic?

A5. The SMC can only consider complaints against doctors and is not empowered by law to look into complaints against any healthcare institution(s).

Medical clinics and healthcare establishments are regulated under the Healthcare Services Act 2020 by the Ministry of Health (“MOH”). You may wish to contact and address your feedback/complaints against any healthcare institution(s) to MOH.

Q6. Can I submit a complaint without the full name of the doctor?

A6. No. To facilitate the processing and investigation of the complaint, a complaint to the SMC against a doctor must state the full name of the doctor.

Q7. I do not have the name/full name of the doctor(s). Can the SMC help me to obtain the name(s)?

A7. The SMC is unable to obtain the full name of the doctor(s) for you and/or assist in the drafting of your complaint. Where necessary, please contact the relevant healthcare institution(s) to find out the name of the doctor(s). Alternatively, you can also search for the full name of the doctor in the SMC register via the link here.

Q8. Will the doctor be able to see my complaint?

A8. As part of a fair and impartial investigation, it is usually necessary for the doctor to be called upon to answer any allegation/s made against him/her. Hence, it is a legal requirement for us to furnish a full copy of your SD, complaint letter and supporting documents to the doctor and any other person who may be called upon to assist in the investigation of the case.

Q9. Is there a deadline for me to submit the complaint?

A9. A complaint must be lodged within six years of the incident or the earliest date on which the complainant knew or could have reasonably known about the incident, in accordance with section 41 of the MRA.

Q10. Can I submit my complaint without making a Statutory Declaration?

A10. Under section 40(2) of the MRA, your complaint must be in writing, be supported by a SD and be accompanied by every relevant document and information that is in your possession.

Q11. Can the SMC help me to draft my complaint?

A11. As an independent administrator of the disciplinary process, the SMC is unable to assist in the drafting of complaints.

Q12. Can I not use the Sample Letter / Template to submit my complaint? 

A12. The Sample Letter / Template is a guide to draft your complaint as it contains all the relevant fields that an Inquiry Committee (“IC”) and a Complaints Committee (“CC”) would require to investigate your complaint. You are therefore strongly encouraged to adhere to this guide.

Please also note that handwritten complaint letters are not accepted and all complaints must be type-written in English.

Q13. I am unable to submit my SD, complaint letter and/or supporting documents via email. Can I mail to the SMC instead? 

A13. If the size of your document is too big to be sent to us via email, you may mail the hardcopy to us instead. You may also wish to consider utilising tracked mail services (e.g. registered mails, courier) to ensure that we receive your documents. The SMC would not be responsible for any lost mails.

Q14. Is the SMC the right platform for me to obtain compensation from a doctor?

A14. No, the SMC is not the platform to get compensation. Under the MRA, if your complaint is found to be valid, the disciplinary framework only allows for the imposition of disciplinary sanctions against doctors. The law does not allow for an order of monetary compensation to be made. If you intend to seek monetary compensation from the doctor(s), you should seek your own independent legal advice.

Please note that if a complaint is found to be frivolous, vexatious, misconceived, or lacking in substance by an Inquiry Committee or a Complaints Committee, the complainant may be ordered to pay costs for the matter to the respondent doctor under section 49 of the MRA.

Q15. My doctor/clinic/hospital has charged me an amount for the medication/ consultation fee /medical report. Can I ask if this amount is correct? Can they charge me this amount?

A15. The SMC does not issue guidelines on doctors’ fees and charges and is not able to comment on the appropriateness of the fees charged by the doctor or clinic. 

As medical clinics and healthcare establishments are regulated under the Healthcare Services Act 2020 by MOH, you may wish to provide your feedback to MOH. 

Alternatively, if you are keen to go for mediation, you may wish to approach the Mediation Unit by MOH Holdings Pte Ltd (“MOHH”) for assistance at (65) 9116 9364 or email them at mediate@mohh.com.sg. You may also visit their website https://www.mohh.com.sg/hms/home for more information.

Q16. How long will it take for my complaint to be looked into?

A16. The Inquiry Committee has 6 weeks to decide if a complaint should be dismissed or referred to a Complaints Committee (“CC”) to inquire into the matter and direct one or more investigators to investigate the matter. 

Should a complaint be referred to a CC, it can take more than 6 months for the CC to complete its inquiry, depending on the complexity of the matter. If the subject matter of the complaint involves external proceedings such as a police investigation, a Coroner’s inquiry or Court proceedings, the CC will usually wait for such findings before making a determination on the case. . 

Q17. Will I be updated of the status of my complaint with the SMC?

A17. As all proceeding before the Inquiry Committee (“IC”) and Complaints Committee (“CC”) are confidential, you will not receive periodic updates on the status of the inquiries. Although the SMC appoints the ICs and CCs, these committees remain independent and separate bodies from the SMC. Hence, the SMC Secretariat is not empowered to release any information to anyone, including yourself or anyone whom you have authorised to receive information on your behalf. You will be informed in writing of the outcome of the IC or CC’s deliberations only at the conclusion of the matter.

Q18. Can I submit additional information after I have lodged a complaint with the SMC?

A18. Yes, you can, if the additional information was not already in your possession at the time when you have submitted your complaint to the SMC (refer to Q10 above). However, you may wish to first consider if it is necessary, as the submission of additional information at a later stage is likely to prolong the time needed by the IC or CC to look into the complaint. You are therefore strongly encouraged to ensure that all necessary, relevant information has been obtained and included into your complaint before submitting it to the SMC. At the submission of any additional information, please explain why such information was not submitted or not available earlier.

Aesthetic Practice

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Q1. Are all SMC registered doctors able to perform aesthetic procedures?

A1. An SMC registered doctor who wishes to perform aesthetic procedures must ensure that they meet the requirements as stated in the Guidelines on Aesthetic Practices (for Doctors)(“Guidelines”) besides complying with any other rules/conditions tied to their registration.

Q2. Can I check if non-doctors can perform medical aesthetic procedures?

A2. No, it is an offence under section 17 of the Medical Registration Act (Chapter 174) for an unauthorised person to practise medicine or to hold himself out as a medical practitioner.

Q3. Is there a list of accredited Certificate of Competence (COC) courses for SMC registered doctors?

A3. Yes. Please refer to the current list of accredited COC Courses for more information.

Q4. There do not seem to be accredited COC courses for certain Table 1 aesthetic procedures, what can I do if I wish to obtain a COC for such procedures?

A4. SMC registered doctors who wish to seek verification of COC for non-accredited courses which they have attended can make an application to the Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (“APOC”) using this form. Before making an application, applicants should ensure that all requirements listed in the General Criteria for Certificate of Competence Course Accreditation have been met.

Applicants are also reminded that until they receive confirmation from the APOC that the course is an accredited COC course, they should not perform the procedure.

Q5. Is there any way I can perform an aesthetic procedure that is not listed on either Table 1 or Table 2 of the Guidelines on Aesthetic Practices (for Doctors)?

A5. SMC registered doctors who wish to perform non-listed procedures should make an application to the APOC for the classification of the said procedure under Table 1 or Table 2 using the prescribed Non-Listed Aesthetic Procedures application form.

Such an application should be supported by at least three key scientific papers in the English language which support the procedure in question. The APOC will then decide whether the procedure in question ought to be considered for possible classification.

For the avoidance of doubt, except in the context of a formal and approved clinical trial, SMC registered doctors are not to perform any aesthetic procedures that are not listed in the Guidelines unless they have been classified by the APOC under Table 1 or Table 2.

General Enquiries

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Q1. I need to find a registered doctor. How can I do so?

A1. You can search and view the register online via “Search for registered doctors” at SMC’s website (www.smc.gov.sg). Registered doctors with the SMC are listed online as long as they have a valid practising certificate.

A search may be done by either (i) entering the name of the doctor or (ii) entering his/her medical registration number under ‘More Search Options’. 

The information displayed on our website is based on the updates by doctors themselves. 

Doctors who are no longer registered with the SMC do not need to provide any updates to the Council. As such, the Council no longer has updates of such doctors.

Q2. I have encountered an error message while accessing the SMC’s Professional Registration System. What should I do?

A2. Our system is most compatible with Internet Explorer. Please use a computer/laptop with a stable internet connection and try again. 

You may also wish to consider clearing your cache/cookies from your browser. 

If the problem persists, please provide the following information in an email to help us look into your issue expeditiously:
(i) Your purpose of accessing the PRS, e.g. to update CME points, application for registration, etc
(ii) Your browser type and device (desktop or laptop);
(iii) URL of the login page;
(iv) The screenshot of the pages before and after you encounter the error message; and
(v) The timestamp of when the error has occurred.

Q3. How do I login to SMC’s Professional Registration System?

A3. For Singpass users e.g. NRIC/FIN holders, please log in via Singpass and 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) using SMS or Singpass Mobile.

For non-Singpass users e.g. Passport holders, please log in via User ID, password and 2FA (using Google Authenticator [GA]).

For HR personnel or CPE providers, you will need both a Singpass user account and an existing SMC account in order to access the PRS.

Please request your Corppass Admin to create a user account for you and assign the following e-Service access:
• Government Agency: Ministry of Health (MOH)
• e-Service: Professional Registration System (PRS)

Please note that since 11 April 2021, corporate users who are logging in to government digital services for businesses (G2B) are required to use Singpass. Find out more: https://go.gov.sg/corporate-login
 

Q4. I am no longer employed by a healthcare institution. Hence, I no longer hold a FIN-number. How can I continue to login to SMC PRS?

A4.As you are no longer a FIN-holder, you will need to email us a certified true copy of your current passport for updating. The certified true copy must be certified by a Notary Public with an official stamp, the full name of the signatory and a professional designation. 

After the update is completed, we will inform you to reset your password and you can temporarily log in to your SMC account as a non-Singpass User (without 2FA).

Upon your first login as a non-Singpass User, you will be prompted to download Google Authenticator as the 2FA. 

From 1 April 2021, it is mandatory for non-Singpass users to use the Google Authenticator (GA) as the 2FA in order to protect your login to the PRS. Existing users of OneKey token will need to switch to GA.

Please refer to the guide here to set up 2FA on GA.

Q5. I would like to check if a TCM clinic is registered under the Medical Registration Act (MRA).

A5. We wish to clarify that the SMC operates under the remit of the MRA in registering medical practitioners (doctors) in Singapore.

Please be informed that TCM clinics are not regulated under the MRA or the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act. 

To check if a TCM practitioner is registered with TCMPB, please click here. For enquiries on TCM, please contact TCMPB at TCMPB@spb.gov.sg.

Q6. I would like to check if a TCM is a Singapore registered medical practitioner as mentioned in the Ministry of Manpower website.

A6. We wish to clarify that the SMC operates under the remit of the MRA in registering and regulating the conduct of medical practitioners (doctors) in Singapore.

Members of the public are able to search and view the SMC register online via “Search for registered doctors” at SMC’s website (www.smc.gov.sg). Doctors who do not hold a valid practising certificate or are not registered with the SMC will not be shown. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners are not medical doctors and they are regulated by the TCM Practitioners Board (TCMPB). To check if a TCM practitioner is registered with TCMPB, please click here. For enquiries on TCM, please contact TCMPB at TCMPB@spb.gov.sg.

Q7. I would like to check if a chiropractor is a registered doctor with SMC.

A7. Members of the public are able to search and view the SMC register online via “Search for registered doctors” at SMC’s website (www.smc.gov.sg). Doctors who do not hold a valid practising certificate or are not registered with the SMC will not be shown. 

A search may be done by either (i) entering the name of the doctor or (ii) entering his/her registration number under ‘More Search Options’. 

Please note that Chiropractors are not medical doctors registered under the SMC.

Q8. What is “Secretariat of healthcare Professional Boards”?

A8. With effect from 1 Jan 2020, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) is supported by the Secretariat of healthcare Professional Boards (SPB) for its secretariat and operational functions. The registration and regulation of medical practitioners (doctors) continue to be governed by SMC, which retains autonomy and independence over professional and statutory matters, as provided for under the Medical Registration Act (Chapter 174).