Medical Practitioners
Professional Standards & Registration Lifecycle
Regulatory Overview
A "Medical Practitioner" in Sri Lanka is a professional qualified and registered under the Medical Ordinance No. 26 of 1927. The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) is the statutory body responsible for maintaining the Medical Register and ensuring that all practitioners adhere to the highest standards of clinical competence and ethical conduct.
No person is entitled to practice medicine or surgery in Sri Lanka unless their name appears in the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the SLMC.
Provisional Registration
Entry Point for Medical Graduates
Provisional Registration is the initial legal authorization granted to medical graduates. This status is strictly for the purpose of undergoing the mandatory internship training required by law.
Key Requirements
- Local Graduates: Evidence of passing the Final MBBS from a recognized state university.
- Foreign Graduates: Successful completion of the ERPM (Examination to Register to Practice Medicine).
- Identification: Original Birth Certificate, National Identity Card (NIC), or Passport.
- Character: Two recent testimonials of good character from professional referees.
Important Restriction
A Provisionally Registered doctor is not authorized to engage in private practice or issue official medical certificates. They must work only under the supervision of a Consultant in an approved state hospital.
Mandatory Internship
Clinical Excellence & Training
The internship is a vital phase where theoretical knowledge is transformed into clinical skill. It is a one-year (12 months) period of intensive training in a government hospital recognized by the Ministry of Health.
Rotation Structure
- Medicine: 6 months of clinical rotation in General Medicine or approved sub-specialties.
- Surgery: 6 months of clinical rotation in General Surgery or approved sub-specialties.
- Alternative: 3-month blocks in Pediatrics or Obstetrics & Gynecology may replace certain portions based on current MOH guidelines.
Verification Process
During this period, interns must maintain a logbook and obtain satisfactory performance appraisals from their supervising Consultants. Failure to complete the rotations successfully will result in an extension of the internship period.
Permanent Registration
Full Professional Licensing
Upon the successful completion of the internship, practitioners become eligible for Full Registration under Section 29 of the Medical Ordinance. This is the license required to practice medicine independently in Sri Lanka.
Final Documentation
- Internship Certificate: Original completion certificate signed by the Director of the hospital.
- Provisional Certificate: The original provisional registration card must be surrendered.
- Affidavit: A legal affidavit confirming that the practitioner has not been convicted of any criminal offenses during the training period.
Practitioner Rights
Once permanently registered, you are entitled to practice medicine independently, prescribe medication, issue legal medical documents, and apply for Post-Graduate (MD/MS) studies at the PGIM.
mySLMC Online Services Portal
If you have understood the requirements for your respective stage, please proceed to our secure portal to manage your applications, renewals, and professional profile.
