- Central law
- Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 — applies in states that adopted it
- Other states
- Their own acts, e.g. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
- Provisional registration (CEA 2010)
- Valid for 1 year and must be renewed; permanent registration once standards are met
- Penalty (CEA 2010)
- Up to ₹50,000 for running an unregistered establishment (first offence)
Which law applies to you
Health is a state subject, so the registering law depends on where you are:
- States that adopted the central Act — including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh — register under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, usually through the state's health department and district registering authority.
- States with their own law register under it instead — for example the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act in Maharashtra, the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, the Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, and the clinical establishments acts of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
We confirm the applicable law, authority and current fee for your district before filing.
Provisional and permanent registration
Under the central Act an establishment first receives provisional registration, valid for one year and renewable. It then applies for permanent registration, which requires meeting the minimum standards notified for its category — infrastructure, staff, equipment and processes — and display of rates for services where the state requires it.
Penalties under the central Act
- Running an unregistered establishment: fine up to ₹50,000 for a first offence, rising for repeat offences.
- Knowingly serving in an unregistered establishment: fine up to ₹25,000.
- Obstructing an authority or giving false information: fine up to ₹5,00,000.
Documents usually needed
- Ownership or tenancy proof and building details
- Category of establishment and list of services
- Registration certificates of doctors and staff
- Equipment and infrastructure details
- Biomedical waste authorisation or CBWTF agreement, and fire safety compliance
- Fees as notified by the state
Registration is the foundation for everything else — NABH, insurance tie-ups and government schemes all ask for it first.
Frequently asked questions
Is clinical establishment registration mandatory?
Yes, in every state that has adopted the Clinical Establishments Act, 2010 or enacted its own clinical establishments law. Registration is required for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, diagnostic centres and day-care centres, and NABH, CGHS, PMJAY and insurers all ask to see it.
What is the validity of provisional registration under the Clinical Establishments Act?
Under the central Clinical Establishments Act, 2010, provisional registration is valid for one year and must be renewed. Establishments then apply for permanent registration once the prescribed minimum standards are met.
What is the penalty for running an unregistered clinic?
Under the central Act, running a clinical establishment without registration attracts a fine of up to ₹50,000 for a first offence, with higher penalties for repeat offences. Knowingly working in an unregistered establishment can attract a fine of up to ₹25,000.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply.
Get a free gap assessment for your facility
Tell us your facility type, bed or chair count and city. Dr. Ashutosh Sharma will tell you which NABH programme fits, what it will cost and how long it will realistically take — before you commit to anything.
Related
- Fire NOC & fire safetyFire NOC for hospitals, nursing homes and clinics: who issues it, what fire services inspect, NBC Part 4, drills and what NABH checks.
- Biomedical waste authorisationBiomedical waste authorisation under the BMW Rules 2016: colour coding, CBWTF agreements, the 30 June annual report and what NABH checks.
- TPA & insurance empanelmentJoin insurer and TPA cashless networks: ROHINI ID, IRDAI hospital criteria, GIPSA PPN for public sector insurers, documents and tariffs.