Validity Checks, Automated Reminders and Tracking of Repeat Offences to Ensure Doctors and Dentists Practise with Valid Credentials

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health regarding doctors and dentists caught without valid credentials between 2023 and 2025 (a) how frequently are periodic validity checks conducted; (b) whether automated practicing certificate expiry reminders are sent; (c) how many offenders are elderly, foreigners or repeat offenders; and (d) how are senior solo practitioners supported to ensure they receive adequate early notifications for certificate renewal.

All registered medical and dental practitioners are informed about the validity period of their Practising Certificates on their electronic copy. Regular reminders are also sent at least two months prior to the Practising Certificate renewal exercise by the Secretariat of healthcare Professional Boards (SPB) by email or hardcopy letter. Upon expiry of their Practising Certificates, SPB will then inform the practitioners that they must cease clinical practice until they apply for and are issued a new Practising Certificate.

To support senior practitioners, occasional requests for communications to be directed to their children or spouse assisting them in administrative matters have been accommodated.

Between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025, there were three practitioners aged 65 and above at the time of offence investigated for practising without a valid Practising Certificate. None were foreigners or repeat offenders.