Licence Application /
Request for Letter of Exemption

Definition of Hospital

• Application for licences for private hospitals commenced on 2 July 2019.

• Hospital licences under the new regime took effect on 1 January 2021.

First Application Variation of Service/Particulars Renewal of Licence

Definition of Day Procedure Centre

• Application for licences for day procedure centre commenced on 2 January 2020.
• The first batch of day procedure centre licences under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633) (“PHFO”) took effect on 1 January 2021.
• Penalty provision pertaining to the operation of a day procedure centre without a licence commenced on 30 June 2022.
• Any person operating a day procedure centre without a licence commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine at level 6 and to imprisonment for 3 years.

First Application Variation of Service/Particulars Cancellation of Licence Renewal of Licence

Definition of Clinic

• Application for clinic licences and requests for letters of exemption for small practice clinic commenced on 13 October 2025.

Types of Clinic Licence and Letter of Exemption for Clinic

• Provisional clinic licence

  As a transitional arrangement, clinics in operation on 30 November 2018 and apply for a licence within the period from 13 October 2025 to 13 April 2026 (both dates inclusive) will be issued with a provisional clinic licence, if the conditions under section 136(2) of the PHFO are met. Clinics issued with a provisional clinic licence may continue to operate legally until the application for full licence is approved, withdrawn or rejected, or the Secretary for Health appoints by notice published in the Gazette the date on which the transitional arrangement expires.

• Full clinic licence

  For clinics which commenced operation after 30 November 2018 (including those which started businesses or moved to new premises), operators can directly apply for a full licence from 13 October 2025 onwards.

• Letter of exemption for small practice clinic (“SPC”)

  The definition of an SPC is stipulated in section 41 of the PHFO.

  • An SPC must be operated only by registered medical practitioner(s) and/or registered dentist(s).
  • The operation may be in the form of a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a company.
  • No registered medical practitioners or dentists other than the operator(s) can serve the clinic (except for locum arrangement).

  Moreover, the following three conditions must also be met:

  (a)

  Number of medical practitioners or dentists:

  (i)

  If the SPC is operated under a sole proprietorship, the sole proprietor must be a registered medical practitioner or a registered dentist;

  (ii)

  If the SPC is operated under a partnership or a company, there can only be a maximum of five partners or company directors, and all partners or company directors must be registered medical practitioners or registered dentists.

  (b)

  The right to use the premises:

  (i)

  The sole proprietor of the sole proprietorship; at least one partner of the partnership; the company or at least one director of the company shall have the exclusive right to use the premises forming the SPC. Sub-lease is not allowed.

  (c)

  Locum arrangement:

  (i)

  For every registered medical practitioner or registered dentist operating the SPC, the total number of locum days for which another registered medical practitioner or registered dentist takes up the duties of the individual must not exceed 60 days in a calendar year;

  (ii)

  In addition, the aggregate number of locum days for all the partners or directors operating the clinic must not exceed 180 days in a calendar year.

  Each registered medical practitioner or registered dentist may operate up to three SPCs with valid exemption at the same time.

  In addition, the clinic must comply with sections 66 and 67 of the PHFO:

  • Be a distinct and exclusive unit that is able to perform its function independently;
  • Be physically separated from any premises that serve a purpose not reasonably incidental to the facility; and
  • Have a direct and separate entrance.

Application for full / provisional clinic licence

• For operator who has been operating a clinic on 30 November 2018

  (i) On receipt of the operator's application for a full licence, the Director of Health must issue a provisional licence to the operator if the Director of Health is satisfied that certain conditions are met

  (ii) The provisional licence allows the clinic concerned to continue to operate during the transitional period under the new regulatory regime before it is qualified for a full licence (Please refer to section 136 of the PHFO)

  (iii) During the validity period of its provisional licence, a clinic is not required to comply with the requirements on separate entrance under section 67 of the PHFO, subject to certain conditions (Please refer to section 138 of the PHFO)

• For operator who starts operating a clinic after 30 November 2018

  They will need to comply with requirements under the new regulatory regime, and aim to apply for a full licence or a letter of exemption in accordance with the arrangements announced by the Department of Health and requirements stipulated under the PHFO

First Application

Request for letter of exemption for small practice clinics

Operator(s) of a small practice clinic may request the Director of Health for a letter of exemption to operate the clinic without a licence. Each registered medical practitioner or registered dentist may operate up to three small practice clinics with valid exemption at the same time. Please refer to Part 4 of the PHFO for details.

First Request Intended Change Intended Cessation / Closure FAQ

For details about clinic licence and exemption for small practice clinic, please visit the thematic website.