Procedures for renewing the License to practice medicine during the transitional period in Vietnam

Procedures for renewing the License to practice medicine during the transitional period in Vietnam (Internet image) 

Regarding this matter, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

The procedures for renewing the License to practice medicine during the transitional period in Vietnam are regulated in Decision 1388/QD-BQP in 2024 as follows:

1. Application for renewing the License to practice medicine during the transitional period in Vietnam

The application for renewing the license to practice medicine for medical practitioners in Vietnam whose licenses have expired during the transitional period in accordance with the regulations in Article 10 of Decree 16/2024/ND-CP, includes:

- Application form for renewing the license to practice medicine according to Form No. 04 in Appendix II attached to Decree 16/2024/ND-CP;

- The issued license to practice medicine;

- Document proving continuous updating of medical knowledge in medical examination and treatment as stipulated in Article 22 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment in 2023.

2. Procedures for renewing the License to practice medicine during the transitional period in Vietnam

- Step 1: The applicant shall submit one set of applications for renewing the License to practice medicine as prescribed in Article 46 of Decree 16/2024/ND-CP, either directly, via postal service, or electronically, to the Medical Department/Office directly under the Ministry of National Defense.

In case of illness, injury, or force majeure at the time of submitting the renewal application, a written notification must be sent to the competent health management authority to extend the deadline for submitting the license renewal application.

Medical practitioners who do not practice at healthcare facilities under the armed forces shall follow the renewal procedures at the Ministry of Health or the Department of Health.

- Step 2: In the case of valid documents, within 5 working days from the date of receiving the application, the coordinating unit under the Ministry of National Defense shall compile and send a list directly, via postal service, or electronically, to the competent health management authority, along with the application from the healthcare practitioner and the requesting official dispatch from the head of the coordinating unit under the Ministry of National Defense.

In the case of invalid documents, within 3 working days from the date of receiving the application, the coordinating unit under the Ministry of National Defense or the competent health management authority must provide a written response to the submitting unit, specifying the specific reasons for the invalidity and requesting amendments to the required documents. The time for amending the documents shall not be counted towards the processing time.

- Step 3: Within 5 working days from the date of receiving the valid documents, the competent health management authority shall review the application, complete the procedures, and submit the authority to renew the professional license. In the event that the practicing license is not renewed, a written response must be provided, stating the reasons.

- Step 4: Within the period from the date of receiving the submission from the competent health management authority to the expiry date stated on the practicing license, the issuing authority is responsible for renewing the license or providing a written response stating the reasons if the renewal is not carried out. If there is no written response by the expiration date stated on the practicing license, the license shall continue to be valid according to the regulations.

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