Registration and Licensing

The Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act, No. 17 of 1987, requires that all practitioners, including students and volunteers, must be registered with the MCM before commencing any form of work in Malawi. Registration and licensing serve to protect the public and uphold professional standards within the healthcare sector. Our registration and licensing process is designed to verify that practitioners are qualified, competent, and possess the necessary character to practice safely and effectively in Malawi.

Registration Process

The registration process involves

Credentialing

Conducting primary source verification of academic and professional qualifications.

Verification of registration and licensing history

Reviewing previous professional registrations and licenses.

Certificate of Good Standing and current registration status

Confirming the practitioner’s standing with previous regulatory authorities.

Identity verification

Confirming the authenticity of the applicant’s identity.

Verification of other requirements

Ensuring compliance with other applicable regulations.

Types of Registers

For students enrolled in accredited health-related programs at Council-approved training institutions in Malawi.

For practitioners undergoing supervised training after completing an accredited health training program, prior to full registration. Examinations are required for those trained outside of Malawi.

For practitioners undergoing an orientation period, allowing supervised practice at an MCM-designated facility. Orientation periods range from 6 weeks to 6 months.

For qualified practitioners who, after completing orientation, intend to practice in Malawi for a period not exceeding 12 months.

  • For locally trained practitioners who have successfully completed an internship.
  • For foreign-trained Malawian citizens who have successfully completed an internship.
  • For non-Malawian practitioners who have successfully completed orientation and intend to practice in Malawi for longer than 2 years.

An official document issued by a regulator attesting to a practitioner’s fitness to practice.

For practitioners who are approved to practice during authorised medical camps, following compliance with registration requirements.

A license allowing a practitioner to engage in private practice independently or to be employed either full-time or part-time.

Authorisation for premises designated for medical, dental, or allied health practice.

Revised Registration Application FormDownload
Registration Procedure for Non-Malawian PractitionersDownload
Registration Procedures for Practitioners with Locally Obtained QualificationsDownload
Medical Camps Application Processes and GuidelinesDownload

Practitioners who need a Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) or any other external verifications (CORU, ECFMG, DATAFLOW) should adhere to the following procedures.

COGS and External Verification SOP MCMDownload