Directorate of Licensing

Overview:

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission has established the Directorate of Licensing to license Healthcare Establishments (HCEs) in accordance with Section 12 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission Act, 2015. The Director of Licensing leads this Directorate.

Licensing is a mandatory process that grants Healthcare Establishments authorization from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission to operate facilities, premises, or conveyances that provide healthcare services. For information on the classification and fee structure of HCEs, please visit https://hcc.kp.gov.pk/licensing-fee-for-health-care-establishments/.

The licensing process enforces the Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) to ensure quality and public safety in healthcare delivery. All HCEs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both public and private, are required to obtain a license from the KP HCC, and operating without one is prohibited. Failure to secure licensing within the required timeframe may result in a fine of up to Rs. 500,000 or closure of the facility.

Types of Licensing:

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission is classified into two types:

Provisional License:

A Healthcare Establishment is awarded a Provisional License when it completes training on the Minimum Service Delivery Standards organized by the Directorate of Quality. The License is valid for three months and may be extended in special cases, subject to the approval of the Competent Authority.

Full License:

The Full License is awarded to a Healthcare Establishment when it meets all the required indicators specified in the Minimum Service Delivery Standards during the assessment phase. The validity period of the Full License is three years. If any health care establishment does not meet the required standards during the first inspection/assessment, it may apply for a second and third inspection by depositing the fee outlined for these assessments.

Licensing Process:

1. The licensing process started after the registration with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission. The owner of the Healthcare Establishments is bound to forward at least three nominations (for Category 1 and Category 2 Healthcare Establishments and at least one for Category 3 Healthcare Establishments) on the prescribed nomination form to the Directorate of Quality, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission, within 30 days of the issuance of registration. The nomination fee for each person is Rs. 10,000. The designated amount shall be deposited in the Bank of Khyber, Account No. 0001002007476817, Account Title: KPHCC Registration.
2. The Directorate of Quality will arrange and conduct training on Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS). Upon the completion of the training, a provisional license for three months (90 days) shall be issued to the healthcare establishment. The HCE is bound to implement the MSDS in their respective HCE within the defined timeframe.
3. After the period is completed, the owner of the HCE must deposit the inspection fee (click here to view) according to the category of their Healthcare Establishment and forward the duly filled license form (click here to download) along with the required documents mentioned in the form checklist to the Directorate of Licensing, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission.
4. If the health facilities meet the Commission’s required standards after inspection, they shall be awarded a full license. They may apply for a second inspection if they fail to meet the required criteria.