New Delhi: The Centre has proposed a new registration framework for allied and healthcare professionals in India.
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has published the Draft Provisional Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026.
The regulations are part of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021. They aim to allow eligible healthcare professionals to register. The scheme will allow those who are already practising but do not have the core requirements, to register. It also allows a process for them to upskill, complete competency tests and gain full registration.
The commission is inviting comments, suggestions and objections from healthcare professionals, institutions, professional associations and the general public. Comments must be submitted by 4 December, 2026.
One of the key features of the new scheme is the creation of a provisional registration category. It allows eligible professionals, who are currently practising in allied and healthcare roles, but do not have the educational requirements to register fully, to register.
The draft makes a distinction between professionals who have the core requirements and those who do not. Healthcare professionals who have the core requirements would register under the regular category. Those who are practicing, but do not have the core requirements, but do meet the criteria for provisional registration, would be offered provisional registration.
Under Regulation 3(2), the draft specifies certain conditions that healthcare professionals must meet to apply for provisional registration. They must:
Have passed at least Class 10 or an equivalent examination.
Have obtained a qualification listed for their profession in Schedule I before the NCAHP Act, 2021, came into force.
Have been working in that profession and providing related services before the Act came into force.
Live in the State where they wish to register.
The draft also covers another category called interim practising professionals. These are individuals who started working in a recognized allied or healthcare profession after the NCAHP Act came into force but before the proposed regulations came into effect. They may also qualify for provisional registration if they meet the specified conditions.
However, provisional registration is not open to everyone working in allied and healthcare professions without the required qualifications. Applicants must meet the eligibility conditions specified in the draft regulations.
The healthcare professionals who are accepted for provisional registration, will have a process in place to allow them to move onto full registration.
Depending on the requirements, the professionals may need to:
Complete bridging courses that will allow them to improve upon any knowledge gaps.
Complete supervised training to get more hands-on experience.
Complete minimum tests, to ensure that they meet the required standards.
Complete competency tests, to make sure they have the knowledge and skills to move onto full registration.
This will encourage professional development and improve the standard and accountability of allied and healthcare professionals, according to the NCAHP.
However, it will be important to ensure that there are bridging courses, training and tests available.
Prof. (Dr.) Denny John, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Health Economics, Epidemiology and Translational Sciences (IHEETS), Kerala, commented on the draft as follows: "The draft gives existing professionals a chance to get registered. It is important to ensure that professionals do not lose their ability to practice due to a lack of training courses and tests within the given timeframe."
Under Regulation 5, provisional registration will be valid for three years from the date the certificate is issued. The State Council may allow an extension of one more year if the professional applies and provides a valid reason.
The application for an extension will require a processing fee of ₹1,000.
However, provisional registration cannot be extended beyond four years in total.
Under Regulation 8, professionals cannot continue working in their recognised profession after their provisional registration expires unless they obtain regular registration in the relevant State or Central Register.
The draft also includes Biotechnologists under Recognised Category 1: Medical Laboratory and Life Sciences.
The educational qualifications listed for this category include:
BSc Biochemistry
BSc Zoology
BSc Life Sciences
BSc Biomedical Sciences
BSc Biological Sciences
BSc Biosciences
BSc Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
MSc Biochemistry
MSc Life Sciences
MSc Molecular Biology
MSc Biomedical Sciences
Professionals applying under these listed qualification pathways may be required to complete a six-month, regular-mode bridge course in Biotechnology.
The draft also includes a separate category for Biochemists (Non-Clinical), with a proposed six-month bridge course in Biochemistry for the specified educational qualifications.
However, having one of these degrees does not automatically guarantee provisional registration. Applicants must also meet the other eligibility conditions, including the relevant work experience requirements.
The draft proposes that there will be an online registration system.
This will allow professionals to:
Register
Verify their credentials
Check if they are eligible
Receive provisional registration certificates
Receive a unique ID
Eligible individuals will receive a Provisional Registration Unique Identification Number (PR UID).
This will increase transparency and ensure that registration processes are standardised across States and Union Territories.
Other factors to consider are:
Provisional registration duration and extensions
Ending provisional registration
Appeals
The draft provides information on what is required to move from provisional registration to the correct Central/State Register. This is important to ensure that professionals know what their responsibilities and rights are when registering.
It also proposes the following application fees and timelines:
Provisional registration application: ₹2,000.
Appeal against rejection of an application: ₹5,000.
Extension of provisional registration: ₹1,000.
The State Council must approve or reject a complete application within 30 days after discrepancies have been addressed.
An applicant can appeal against rejection within one month of receiving the rejection order.
The Commission must complete the appeal process within 90 working days of receiving the appeal.
Allied / healthcare professionals offer a range of services including diagnosis, rehabilitation, nutrition, laboratory and other healthcare services.
The NCAHP had already introduced the Registration of Allied and Healthcare Professionals Regulations, 2026, which were published in the Gazette of India on 15 September 2026. These rules explain how eligible professionals can register with the State and Central authorities. The newly proposed provisional registration rules provide an additional opportunity for certain professionals who do not have the required recognised qualifications to apply for registration, provided they meet the specified conditions.
The new scheme from the NCAHP will provide clear guidance on what is needed to register, and professionals can be recognised based on their education and competency.
Professionals will be able to register as provisional members of a formal regulatory body. This will help ensure patients and healthcare institutions have a more formal registration process.
This depends on the regulations being properly formulated to ensure professionals are eligible for registration, have appropriate training requirements and easy access to them.
The NCAHP are seeking comments, suggestions and any objections from allied/healthcare professionals, associations, educational institutions, state allied and healthcare councils, healthcare institutions, experts and the general public.
Professional can view the draft here: https://ncahp.abdm.gov.in/
Email for submissions: ncahp.regulations@ncahp.mohfw.gov.in
Latest Date: 4 December, 2026
Comments will be taken into account before the regulation is finalized. Overall, this is another step towards formally recognising allied/healthcare professionals within India.
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