NITI Aayog proposes interstate licence portability for healthcare professionals
In its report, India's Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services, NITI Aayog said a seamless system of licence portability could facilitate greater mobility of healthcare professionals, particularly to underserved areas of the country.
The NITI Aayog has suggested a system of interstate licence portability for healthcare professionals, aiming to enable professionals registered in one state to work in another without the need for repeated registrations or obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs). This proposal is detailed in their report, India's Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services.
The report suggests creating a national licence registry backed by Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) among state councils, which would allow registered professionals to practice in other states without duplicative procedures. Currently, individual state medical, nursing, and allied health councils manage professional registrations, with national bodies overseeing regulations.
However, a nationwide licence portability system is yet to be implemented. The report points out that Maharashtra requires doctors from other states to submit a new application and an NOC from their home council to practice, which hinders interstate mobility and workforce flexibility. It emphasizes that such obstacles can limit healthcare provider access and exacerbate shortages in underserved areas.
Additionally, NITI Aayog advocates for the rapid implementation of the National Exit Test (NExT) to standardize competency assessments for medical graduates and ensure a transparent, merit-based licensing system. The report also urges the full implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, which is still incomplete, with only 26 states and Union Territories having established the necessary councils.
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