Home Registration of Dentists Practising Certificate and Retention Certificate

Registration of Dentists

Practising Certificate and Retention Certificate

Practising Certificate

In accordance with section 11A of the Dentists Registration Ordinance, a registered dentist must not practise as a dentist in Hong Kong unless the registered dentist holds a valid practising certificate.

Validity of Practising Certificate

  • If a practising certificate is issued on an application made during a year in respect of that year, the certificate is, subject to sections 11A(4A) and 11A(5) of the Ordinance, to be in force from the time of issue to the end of that year.
  • If a practising certificate is issued on an application made during a year in respect of the following year, the certificate is, subject to sections 11A(4A) and 11A(5) of the Ordinance, to be in force during that following year.
  • A practising certificate issued to a person with temporary registration is to be in force during a period not exceeding 14 days, as specified in the certificate.
  • A practising certificate ceases to be in force if, during the currency of the certificate, its holder ceases to be a person with –
    1. full registration whose name is contained in the practising list;
    2. limited registration;
    3. temporary registration; or
    4. special registration.

Issue of Practising Certificate

If the applicant applying for a practising certificate is a person with full registration, limited registration or special registration, the Dental Council must not issue a practising certificate to the applicant unless the Dental Council is satisfied that the applicant has complied with the requirement regarding continuing professional development determined by the Dental Council as applicable to the applicant.

Every registered dentist with full registration (with name on the practising list), limited registration or special registration is invited to apply for issue of annual practising certificate and is informed of the application procedures by the Central Registration Office under the Department of Health in around September every year. Submission of application form to the Central Registration Office may be made in paper format by fax or by post; or via the online platform.

For online platform, applicants are required to have an “iAM Smart+” account for digital signing the electronic application form to complete the whole application process. An applicant who does not have an “iAM Smart+” account may fill in the application form electronically but he / she will be required to print and sign on the completed application form and then submit it to the Central Registration Office by fax or by post.

Payment of the prescribed fee may be made by one of the following ways –

(a) Online payment

Registered dentist may make payment through the following method:

  • Credit Card (Visa Card, Master Card, JCB and China UnionPay);
  • Faster Payment System (FPS);
  • Alipay (Mainland China) (Authentication using Mainland China ID Card);
  • WeChat Pay; or
  • UnionPay Mobile QuickPass

(b) Autopay

Any registered dentist interested to use autopay may approach the Central Registration Office for Autopay Authorization Form.

(c) Settling the General Demand Note issued by the Central Registration Office

General demand note may be settled by one of the following means –

  • Internet Payment;
  • Automated Teller Machines (ATM) of local banks;
  • Faster Payment System (FPS);
  • Payment by Phone Service (PPS);
  • Phone banking;
  • "Pay e-Cheque" portal;
  • Cash payment at post offices or convenience store (e.g. 7-Eleven, Circle K, VanGO Convenience Store and U Select, etc.); or
  • Cheque/bank draft/cashier order sent to the Treasury (address: P.O. Box No. 28000, Sham Shui Po Post Office, Hong Kong).

For details, please refer to the website of the Treasury. Payment status of the demand notes may be checked vide the Treasury Hotline (at 2845 8866) or on the website of the Treasury.

Retention Certificate

For a dentist with full registration (with name on the non-practising list), he / she is required to apply to the Dental Council for a retention certificate in the specified form by paying the prescribed fee. Submission of application form to the Central Registration Office may be made in paper format by fax or by post; or via the online platform. The application procedure is similar to that for the practising certificate.

Failure to Renew Practising Certificate / Retention Certificate

Section 15(3) of the Dentists Registration Ordinance provides that the Dental Council may order the removal from the General Register of the name of a person with full registration, limited registration or special registration under the following situation –

  • Failure to obtain a practising certificate / retention certificate 6 months after the dates below –
  1. the date of the person’s registration;
  2. the expiry date of the last relevant certificate issued to the person;
  3. the date on which the person’s name is restored to the General Register.

If a person’s name is removed from the General Register, he / she will cease to be a registered dentist. It is a criminal offence under section 3(1) of the Ordinance for any person, not being a registered dentist to practise dentistry in Hong Kong. The offence is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

Authentication Features of e-Certificates

E-certificates have the same legal standing as paper certificates. For verification purpose, the e-certificate carries a digital signature and an encrypted QR code. Scanning the QR code will direct the enquirer to the website of the Dental Council where he / she may verify the contents in the e-certificate (click here for a specimen e-certificate and the verification information to be shown).

Forms and Related Guidance Notes