All applications for medical registration must be submitted using SMC's prescribed form which can be downloaded from  http://www.smc.gov.sg under <Download Forms>.

The completed forms should be sent to SMC THROUGH the local employer together with relevant supporting documents and fee.  All documents and fees must be submitted at the same time to avoid delays.

Processing of applications starts only when all documents and fees are submitted. Incomplete applications will not be clocked in for processing and will be returned to the HR Directors of the institutions.

Authenticated English translations must accompany the documents that are in a foreign language.

Every application will be considered based on its merits. To ascertain that the doctor's status is bona fide, with no disciplinary actions or investigations pending against him, the following documents are to be submitted with the application.

Photocopies of:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate medical qualifications (For certificates or qualifications in a language other than English, a certified true copy of the English translation will be required)
• Evidence of proficiency in English Language (if medium of instruction for basic medical course was not in English)
• Transcripts of examination results for each undergraduate year of medical studies.
• Documentary evidence of housemanship or internship with details on the period of training in each discipline.
• Certificates of service/ service testimonials for work experience for the preceding 3 years, indicating job grade, nature of medical employment, period(s) of employment, assessment of work performance and other relevant information to show clinical competencies attained.
• Current and where applicable, previous Certificates of medical registration with other medical licensing authorities.

Note: The SMC may require the applicant to submit other relevant documents for non straightforward applications e.g. explanation for lapses of employment.

1) Offer of employment from the local healthcare institution;

2) Annex B - signed by the CEO, or  Chairman of the Medical Board, or Medical Director or equivalent to indicate that the institution or practice is aware of and conforms to SMC's Supervisory Framework for this applicant;

3) Annex C - signed by the appointed supervisor to indicate that he will comply with SMC's Supervisory Framework for the applicant.

The SMC requires the applicant, employer or institution to arrange for the following letters and certificate to be forwarded to the Council:

• Letter of verification for applicant's basic medical qualifications;

• Letter of verification for applicant's postgraduate medical qualifications.

The letter of verification must be addressed to the specific HR officer or the institution or the person representing the employer by NAME before it can be accepted by SMC i.e. when source verification is obtained by the HR/ employer.

After the registration process is activated, SMC will independently liaise with the corresponding council or licensing authority for the Certificate(s) of Good Standing (CGS) where the applicant has been practising for the preceding 3 years prior to his application.  The applicant will be required to arrange for a CGS to be sent to SMC directly by the issuing authorities.  CGS received must not exceed 3 months from its issue date when the doctor comes for his/ her registration after application for medical registration is approved.

With immediate effect, SMC will not register doctors if the original letters of verification (LV) for all medical qualifications and the CGS from the licensing authority where the applicant has been practising for the preceding 3 years prior to his application are not available to the SMC by the time the doctor comes for registration.

International medical graduates are required to show evidence of proficiency in the English Language if their basic medical degree is obtained from a medical school where the medium of instruction is not English.

Test results obtained from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Occupational English Test (OET) can be considered subject to a minimum score as follows:

• IELTS   -  at least 7 for ALL components (Listening, Reading, Writing AND Speaking)
• TOEFL  - at least 250 marks for computer based test or 600 marks for paper-based test or 100 marks for internet-based test
• OET     - at least Grade B

A practising certificate (PC) will be issued once a doctor is successfully registered.  The fee for a one-year PC is SGD $300 per year or part thereof.

Provided all documentations required by SMC are submitted with relevant fee, the average time required for processing an application for medical registration is about 3 - 4 weeks. The time clock for processing will only start if the application and all documents submitted are considered in order by the SMC.

Any person who is refused medical registration by the Medical Council may submit in writing, within one month of the notice given, an appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final. The fee for appeal is SGD$100.

The doctor will be required to appear in person at the Medical Council's office to complete the registration process.

He must bring the originals of all documents submitted with his application earlier and the necessary identification papers e.g. Identity Card or Passport,Employment Pass or Training Pass as well as the required fees to pay for his practising certificate.

Further information on other specific documentation requirement for Temporary medical registration is available under Temporary Registration.