The Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC) is an autonomous regulatory body established under the Nepal Health Professional Council Act, 2053. The Council registers qualified health professionals under its jurisdiction and brings them into Nepal’s legal regulatory system for health-profession practice.
NHPC’s official website describes its role as registering health professionals according to their qualifications and helping regulate their services in a systematic, timely and scientific manner.
NHPC registers eligible health professionals who meet the prescribed minimum qualifications. Applicants must apply through the Council’s registration process and submit the required academic, professional and supporting documents. After review, the Council decides whether the applicant’s name can be entered in the official register.
When an applicant’s registration is approved, the registrar enters the person’s name in the register and issues a registration certificate in the prescribed format. This certificate confirms that the professional is registered with NHPC.
NHPC conducts name-registration certificate examinations and publishes related notices, including admit card information, exam schedules, exam centres, syllabus notices and results. These services are listed through the Council’s official licensing-exam and notice sections.
NHPC provides renewal services for permanent registration certificates. According to the Council’s official renewal notice, permanent registration certificates are valid for five years from the date of issue. Renewal after expiry is allowed under the Council’s prescribed process, with additional charges applied after the stated grace period.
The Council sets policy related to health-profession education. This includes reviewing curricula, admission conditions and examination systems of institutions that provide education connected with health professions.
Educational qualifications related to health professions may be recognized by the Government of Nepal on NHPC’s recommendation. Recognized qualifications are published in the Nepal Gazette.
NHPC may request details from educational institutions about curricula, admission requirements and other conditions related to recognized health-profession qualifications. Institutions are required to provide the requested information.
The Council may appoint inspectors to observe examinations conducted by educational institutions for recognized health-profession qualifications. Inspectors report to the Council but are not allowed to interfere in the examination process.
If NHPC finds that an institution’s curriculum, admission conditions or examination process is not suitable or sufficient, it can submit a report to the Government of Nepal. After review and clarification, the government may withdraw recognition of qualifications issued by that institution from a specified date.
NHPC can 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 due to mental or physical condition. The Council may also cancel a certificate if registration was granted through fraud or error.
NHPC is responsible for determining policies needed to regulate health-profession practice and support the orderly operation of health-profession services in Nepal.
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