Healthcare in Hong Kong

We have compiled a concise guide to the process with links to all our sources. This should give you all you need to embark on your application process.

Nursing in Hong Kong

Registration Requirements

According to the Ordinance, any person who wishes to practise as a registered nurse or enrolled nurse in Hong Kong must be registered or enrolled as a registered nurse or enrolled nurse with the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.

The registration process for those trained overseas can take between 6-18 months.

Registration Fee

The prescribed fee for a Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrolment for locally trained applicants is HK$360. As for applicants trained overseas, the prescribed fee for a Certificate of Registration or for Certificate of Enrolment is HK$1,035. No fees will be charged before approval of the application.

Registration and enrolment procedure

A. Registered Nurse

An applicant trained outside Hong Kong should have:

• Completed a 3-year hospital-based nursing training programme or a degree or diploma in nursing or equivalent;

• Possess a valid certificate to practise nursing issued by such certifying body as may be recognised by the Council from time to time as evidence of competency to practise nursing;

• Pass the Licensing Examination for Registration;

• If required, undergo such further training as the Council may specify. (Normally, an attachment to a recognized hospital for a period of 4 to 12 weeks.)

An applicant trained in Hong Kong should have completed 3 years' nursing training in a recognized training school or a degree or diploma in nursing or equivalent.

B. Enrolled Nurse

For enrolled nurses trained outside Hong Kong :

• Completed 2 years' nursing training under a hospital-based programme;
• Possess a valid certificate to practise nursing issued by such certifying body as may be recognised by the Council from time to time as evidence of competency to practise nursing;
• Pass the Licensing Examination for Enrolment
• If required, undergo such further training as the Council may specify.

For enrolled nurses trained in Hong Kong :

• Completed 2 years' nursing training under a hospital-based programme in a recognized training school;
• Pass the Licensing Examination for Enrolment organised by the Council.

Licensing Examination

The Council determines the number of Licensing Examinations for Registration and Licensing Examination for Enrolment held each year dependent on the number of candidates eligible for sitting the examinations.

The Secretariat will inform candidates directly of the details of the examination.

The examination fee is $620 for the Licensing Examination for Registration, and $665 for the Licensing Examination for Enrolment.

For past papers of the Nursing Council Licensing exam, please see www.nchk.org.hk

Practising Certificate

A registered or an enrolled nurse cannot practise nursing in Hong Kong unless he or she is a holder of a valid practising certificate issued by the Nursing Council.

Any registered or enrolled nurse wishing to practise nursing but not holding a valid practising certificate should send a written application to the Secretariat. The fee for a practising certificate is $200. The holder of a current practising certificate may apply in writing to the Secretariat for a replacement copy if the original practising certificate is lost, destroyed or defaced. The fee for a replacement copy of a practising certificate is HK$175.

A practising certificate is valid for a period not exceeding 3 years ending on the 31 December. It should be renewed when expired. The Secretariat takes the initiative to remind practising certificate holders before renewal is due.

Application Forms

Applications for registration/enrolment should be made on the prescribed application form. Such forms and "Guides to Applicants" are obtainable from either the Secretariat of the Council at first floor, Shun Feng International Centre, 182 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong or the Central Registration Office, Boards and Councils Office at 17th floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Counter service is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Application forms can also be downloaded from www.nchk.org.hk 

For more information, please see the Hong Kong nursing Council website: www.nchk.org.hk

Midwifery in Hong Kong

Registration Procedure

According to the Ordinance, any person who wishes to practise as a registered midwife in Hong Kong must be registered as a registered midwife with the Midwives Council of Hong Kong.

Applications for registration and applications for restoration of name to the register of midwives should be made on the prescribed application forms. Such forms and a Guide to Applicants are obtainable in person, or by a written request, or by fax on demand, from the Secretariat of the Council, or at the Central Registration Office, Boards and Councils Office on 17th floor, Wu Ching House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The application form may also be downloaded from www.mwchk.org.hk . The Guide to Applicants includes details regarding the application procedures and requirements.

The completed application form, together with all related documents, may be returned in person, or by a representative of the applicant, or by post to the Secretariat of the Midwives Council.

Registration Requirements

An applicant trained outside Hong Kong should:

• Have completed a training course compatible with that of Hong Kong;

• Possess a valid certificate to practise midwifery, or other documentary evidence issued by such certifying body as may be recognized by the Council from time to time as evidence of their competency to practise midwifery;

• Have passed the Midwives Council Examination, and if required, to undergo such further training as the Council may specify.

An applicant trained in Hong Kong should:

• Have completed midwifery training in a recognized training institute; and

• Have passed the Midwives Council Examination, and if required, undergo such further training as the Council may specify.

Registration Examination

The Council will conduct the registration examination annually, and as and when required, taking into account the number of candidates. The next examination will be held in October 2005.

The Secretariat will inform all midwifery training schools about the details of the examination and invite entries two months prior to the examination.

For overseas trained midwives required to sit for examination, the Secretariat will inform them directly of the examination details.

The examination fee is HK$1,425. [ Top ]

Practising Certificate

A registered midwife cannot practise midwifery in Hong Kong unless she is a holder of a valid practising certificate issued by the Midwives Council.

A registered midwife may send the written application for the practising certificate to the Secretariat. The application for the practising certificate must be accompanied by a signed statement stating that the applicant has not been convicted of a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment. The fee for a practising certificate is HK$225. The holder of a current practising certificate may apply in writing to the Secretariat for a replacement copy if the original practising certificate is lost, destroyed or defaced. The fee for a replacement copy of a practising certificate is HK$185.

A practising certificate is valid for a period not exceeding 3 years and ending on 31 December. It should be renewed when expired. If you are a holder of a practising certificate which is due to expire, you will be informed to renew the certificate by the Secretariat.

For more information, please see the Midwives Council of Hong Kong website: www.mwchk.org.hk