- Laws of Fiji

Last Updated: 1 January 2020

[MDP 34] General registration34

(1) A person who satisfies the relevant Council that he or she—

(a)has been conditionally registered, or is eligible to be conditionally registered; and
(b)has had satisfactory experience in medical practice for at least 2 years or dental practice for at least 12 months—
- (i)in Fiji in an institution or hospital approved by the Council on the recommendation of the Professional Standards Committee;
- (ii)outside Fiji in an institution or hospital which in the opinion of the Council is at least of equal standard to such an institution or hospital; or
- (iii)partly as described in paragraph (i) and partly as described in paragraph (ii),

is entitled to be registered as a medical or dental practitioner, as the case may be.

[subs (1) am Act 20 of 2022 s 2, effective 1 January 2020]

(2) If—

(a)a person who has not previously been registered as a medical or dental practitioner in Fiji applies for general registration, or general and vocational registration; and
(b)the application has been accepted in principle by the relevant Council,

the person will be granted provisional registration for a period of 4 months (which may be extended at the discretion of the relevant Council).

(3) During a period of provisional registration the person's medical or dental practice must be supervised by a licensed medical or dental practitioner designated by the relevant Council.

(4) After the period of provisional registration—

(a)upon receipt of a certificate from the medical or dental practitioner designated under subsection (3) that the person's medical or dental practice is competent and ethical; and
(b)upon that practitioner's recommendation that the registration be confirmed,

the Registrar must issue a certificate of registration and a practice licence, dated from the date on which the provisional registration began.

(5) The medical or dental practitioner designated under subsection (3) must—

(a)be licensed in the same, or an allied, vocational category, and, in the case of a dental practitioner, in the same division, as the person who is provisionally registered; and
(b)have adequate opportunity to observe the clinical practice of the person who is provisionally registered.

(6) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), a person may apply in writing to the Minister for an exemption from registration.

[subs (6) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]

(7) The Minister may exempt a person from registration upon consideration of the following—

(a)whether the person is registered or licensed in another jurisdiction;
(b)whether the person’s qualifications and experience do not require supervision;
(c)whether there is a need, in the public or national interest, for medical or dental practitioners of that person’s qualifications and experience; and
(d)any additional information or documentation related to the person’s application as the Minister considers necessary.

[subs (7) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]

(8) An application made under subsection (6) must be accompanied by an approved fee.

[subs (8) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]

(9) Upon the granting of an exemption under subsection (7), the Minister must issue a written directive to the relevant Council to issue a certificate of registration or practice licence or both, as the case may be, to the person subject to terms and conditions as the Minister considers necessary.

[subs (9) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]

(10) A person granted an exemption must comply with such disciplinary rules, guidelines and procedures issued for the profession or as issued by the relevant Council.

[subs (10) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]

(11) The relevant Council must comply with the written directive issued under subsection (9).

[subs (11) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]

(12) Any relevant Council which contravenes any directive issued under subsection (9) commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and the members of the relevant Council are severally liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.

[subs (12) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]

(13) Where an exemption is refused, the Minister must inform the person in writing of the decision including the reasons for the decision.

[subs (13) insrt Act 17 of 2017 s 2, effective 3 May 2017]