How to check a doctor or dentist is registered in any country

Checking that a doctor or dentist is registered takes a few minutes, and it is one of the few checks a patient can do alone before a first appointment. The method is similar in most countries even though the organisations differ. This post sets out a country-neutral way to do it, so that it works whether you are at home, newly arrived or travelling for care.

Why registration matters

A professional register is a list, kept by a public body, of people who are allowed to practise a profession in that country. Being on it generally means the person has met the entry requirements the country sets, and that a regulator can act if there are concerns. It does not tell you how skilled someone is, how they treat patients or whether they suit your needs. It is one fact among several.

Rules vary. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes in its travel guidance on medical care abroad that requirements for maintaining licensure, credentialing and accreditation differ between countries, which is one reason to check the local position rather than assume it matches your home country.

Step 1: find out who keeps the register

Registers are usually run by one of the following:

• a national medical council or board for doctors;
• a separate dental council or board for dentists, or a combined health professions council;
• a ministry or directorate of health, in countries where the government keeps the register directly;
• a state, provincial or regional board, in countries where licensing is not national.

A search for "[country] medical register" or "[country] dental council register" usually finds the official body. Check that the web address belongs to a public body or a recognised professional regulator, and not to a directory that only copies data. Government sites often end in a recognisable official domain, but the safest route is to reach the register from the regulator's own site or from a health ministry page.

For Kenya, HealthNaro has a separate walk-through in how to check a doctor or dentist is registered in Kenya, and the same ideas below apply there.

Step 2: search with the right details

Before you search, gather:

1. the full name as it appears on the clinic's website or door, including any middle names;
2. the profession and, if shown, the specialty the person claims;
3. a registration or licence number, if the clinic publishes one;
4. the town or clinic name, which helps when names are common.

Search by registration number first when you have one, because it avoids confusion between people with similar names. If you search by name, try alternative spellings and the order of given names and family names, since conventions differ between languages and cultures. Qualifications obtained abroad may be listed under a different category, such as a limited or provisional registration.

Step 3: read the result carefully

A register entry often shows more than a simple yes or no. Look for:

• Status. Active, suspended, lapsed, removed or non-practising are very different. A lapsed entry may simply mean a renewal is overdue, but you should not assume that.
• Registration category. Some registers separate full, provisional and temporary registration, or list the scope of practice.
• Specialty. In some countries a specialist register is separate from the general register. A doctor can be on the general list without being on a specialist list.
• Conditions or restrictions. Some registers state limits on practice.
• Dates. Check when the entry was last updated, where the register shows it.

Take a note of what you saw and the date, or save a screenshot for your own records. Do not share ID documents or medical details with a third party when doing this check.

Step 4: match the person to the clinic

A registered professional can still be named on a clinic's site without working there. If a profile claims a particular doctor, ask the clinic to confirm that they see patients at that address. Also check that the facility itself has any licence the country requires. Many countries license clinics and hospitals separately from individual professionals, and the facility register may sit with a different body.

What to do when you cannot find a match

Not finding someone does not prove a problem. Common reasons include:

• a spelling or name-order difference;
• a recent change of name;
• a register that is not searchable online;
• a person who trained abroad and holds a different category of registration;
• a profession that is regulated in some countries but not others, such as certain therapists or counsellors.

Try a second search, then contact the regulator by email or phone and give them the details you hold. Ask the clinic as well. A clinic that is open about its registrations should be able to tell you where to look. If a clinic cannot or will not say, that is a reason to pause before booking.

How HealthNaro handles this

HealthNaro is a directory, not a provider, and a listing does not mean we have assessed clinical quality. Our verification labels state exactly what has been checked and by whom. You can read the rules in the Verification Policy and how the labels are applied in how HealthNaro verifies listings. We never describe a listing as credentials verified unless a named person has seen register or document evidence.

If you want help finding a provider in a particular town, you can send a free, non-medical inquiry and say what you need, without including medical history or ID numbers.

Frequently asked questions

Is a registered doctor always safe to see?

Registration shows that a person is on an official list. It is not a statement about care quality, and it does not replace asking about experience, fees and follow-up arrangements.

Can I check a dentist in a different country from the one I live in?

Yes, in most cases. Registers are generally public, and many are searchable in English or have an English page. If not, a regulator's contact address is the next step.

What if a clinic says its doctor is registered abroad only?

A person may hold registration in one country and still need local registration to practise where you are. Ask which register applies to the country where you will be treated, and check that one.

Does an entry on a register mean the specialty is confirmed?

Not always. In some countries the specialist qualification is recorded in a separate register or section. Check whether the entry names the specialty, not just the profession.

Where can I find clinics that list their registrations?

You can browse the general medicine topic or search listings on HealthNaro, and look at the verification label on each profile.

General information only

This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Registers differ between countries, and their rules can change, so use the official source for the country where you will be treated.