Conditionally registered
Information for conditionally registered doctors.
Last updated 7 April 2025
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Consideration for full registration
Practice in the private sector
Existing doctors may join a private practice if they have progressed to Level 3 (L3) supervision under SMC’s Supervisory Framework.
Cancellation of conditional registration or suspend the conditions attached to the registration
The SMC may consider cancelling the doctor’s conditional registration or suspend the conditions attached to the doctor’s registration if the doctor:
has breached the conditions of his medical registration; or
has ceased practice at the approved place of supervision; or
has not performed satisfactorily by SMC's assessment or performed to the standard that SMC requires; or
has ceased practice without prior approval from SMC including taking No-Pay leave without SMC’s approval.
The doctor’s practising certificate will be deemed cancelled in the event that his/her registration has been cancelled or the conditions attached to his/her registration has been suspended by the SMC.
No-Pay Leave application
A conditionally registered doctor may be allowed to go on No Pay Leave (NPL) for a period of up to one year to be excluded from the computation of the period of supervised practice under conditional registration (C-reg) for full registration.
NPL includes any type of leave which is not paid and for any reason. For example, while there are paid maternity leave and hospitalization leave, if a conditionally registered doctor wishes to extend such leave beyond the official paid periods, the part of the leave which is unpaid is considered as NPL. NPL period(s) will be excluded from the computation of supervised practice period under C-reg when the conditionally registered doctor applies for full registration.
The employing institution must submit an online application via the Professional Registration System to seek the SMC’s approval for the conditionally registered doctor to remain on the SMC’s register while he/she is on NPL at least four (4) weeks before the conditionally registered doctor embarks on/ continues with his/her NPL. The employing institution and the conditionally registered doctor will receive an email notification from the SMC that the application has been approved.
The conditionally registered doctor is considered to have failed to comply with the conditions specified in the grant of his/her C-reg and his/her C-reg will be cancelled or his/her C-reg conditions will be suspended if he/she goes on NPL without the SMC’s prior knowledge and/or approval. He/She has to apply to the SMC for approval if he/she wishes to return to practise.