Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC)

The Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC), known in Nepali as नेपाल स्वास्थ्य व्यवसायी परिषद्, is an autonomous regulatory body established under the Nepal Health Professional Council Act, 2053. NHPC’s official description states that the Council registers health professionals other than medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and Ayurveda practitioners according to their qualifications and brings them under a legal regulatory system.

The Council’s office is located in Bansbari, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Profile Summary

Main Functions of NHPC

Registration of Health Professionals

NHPC registers eligible health professionals who meet the prescribed minimum qualifications. Applicants must submit qualification certificates, recommendation documents, academic degrees and the required fee. After review, the Council decides whether the applicant’s name should be entered in the official register.

Registration Certificate Issuance

When an application is approved, the registrar enters the applicant’s name in the register and issues a registration certificate in the prescribed format. If the Council does not approve the application, the registrar informs the applicant.

Licence Renewal and Registration Services

NHPC provides registration-related services through its official system, including new registration, foreign registration, admit card access, result publication, syllabus information and expert registration. The Council also lists licence renewal, new registration certificate issue/licensing exam, and inspection of health institutions and organizations among its services.

Qualification Standards

The Council determines the qualifications required for health professionals under its regulatory scope. This helps ensure that registration is based on accepted academic and professional credentials.

Curriculum, Admission and Examination Review

NHPC determines policy related to curricula, admission conditions and examination systems for educational institutions that provide health-profession education. The Council also evaluates and reviews these areas as part of its statutory role.

Recognition of Educational Qualifications

The Government of Nepal may recognize health-profession educational qualifications on NHPC’s recommendation. Recognized qualifications are published in the Nepal Gazette.

Institutional Information and Examination Inspection

NHPC may request information from educational institutions about curricula and admission conditions linked to recognized qualifications. The Council may also appoint inspectors to observe examinations for recognized qualifications. Inspectors report to the Council but cannot interfere in the examination process.

Professional Conduct and Disciplinary Action

NHPC may remove a registered professional’s name from the register in legally specified cases, including conviction for an offence involving moral turpitude, failure to follow prescribed professional conduct, or inability to practise because of mental or physical condition. The Council may also cancel a registration certificate if registration was granted through fraud or error.

Code of Ethics

NHPC publishes codes of ethics for several professional categories, including radiography, ophthalmology assistance, physiotherapy, health laboratory technology, general medicine, public health and medical laboratory technology.

Key Focus Areas

NHPC’s work mainly covers:

• Registering qualified health professionals under its jurisdiction.

• Determining qualification standards for health professionals.

• Reviewing policies on curricula, admission conditions and examination systems.

• Providing registration, licensing examination and renewal-related services.

• Inspecting health institutions and organizations within its regulatory role.

• Supporting professional conduct through registration rules and codes of ethics.

• Recommending recognition of health-profession educational qualifications.

Subject Areas Listed by NHPC

NHPC’s syllabus page lists subjects across PCL/+2, bachelor and master levels. These include radiotherapy, radiography, dental hygiene, ophthalmic science, medical laboratory technology, general medicine, physiotherapy, operation theatre technology, dialysis technology, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, naturopathy and yogic sciences, anaesthesia, Sowa Rigpa medicine, optometry, medical microbiology, medical imaging technology, public health, cardiac technology, Unani medicine, perfusion technology, renal dialysis technology, prosthetics and orthotics, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, audiology and speech-language pathology, immunology, medical physics, and health promotion and education. (Nepal Fashion Pvt. Ltd.)

Council Meetings and Governance

The NHPC Council meets as directed by the chairperson and ordinarily holds three meetings a year. Additional meetings may be called when required. Meetings are chaired by the chairperson or, in the chairperson’s absence, by a member selected by the attending members. Council decisions are certified by the registrar.

Committees

The Council may form subject-specific committees to implement its decisions. The functions, duties, powers and meeting procedures of these committees are determined by the Council.

Registrar’s Role

The registrar handles administrative work, serves as the Council’s secretary, implements Council decisions and prepares meeting agendas. Other duties and powers of the registrar are determined according to the relevant rules and regulations.