NABH Entry-Level Certification for AYUSH Hospitals and Centres

Two programmes, one purpose

Entry Level Ayush Hospitals is for facilities that admit patients. Eligible categories include Central and State Government AYUSH hospitals, NABH-accredited AYUSH hospitals, teaching hospitals attached to recognised AYUSH colleges, and standalone AYUSH hospitals that have:

• at least 5 in-patient beds;
• a qualified AYUSH practitioner in charge 24×7;
• qualified nursing staff or AYUSH therapists round the clock;
• dedicated AYUSH therapy sections;
• daily patient records accessible to authorised representatives of insurance companies.

Entry Level Ayush Centres is for standalone facilities without in-patient services — clinics, polyclinics, community and primary health centres and dispensaries providing AYUSH therapies on an OPD or day-care basis. AYUSH OPDs inside hospitals are excluded. Applications for centres are made on NABH's portal at aelc.nabh.co.

Both use a single standard that covers every AYUSH system and is aligned with NABH's hospital standards. The hospital criteria above mirror how insurers define an AYUSH hospital, which is why this certification is often the first step towards cashless insurance tie-ups — see TPA and insurance empanelment.

The process

1. Download the applicable standard.
2. Implement it for at least three months.
3. Apply online with the fee.
4. NABH's desktop assessor reviews your documents.
5. The NABH secretariat schedules an on-site assessment.
6. The certification committee reviews findings; non-conformities are closed.
7. Certification is granted for two years. Apply for renewal six months before expiry.

NABH fees

As listed on nabh.co (fee structure dated May 2019); 18% GST extra. Focus assessments cost ₹15,000 and certificate re-issue ₹6,000. NABH notified rationalised fees for Ayush entry-level certification in March 2026 — we confirm the applicable fee before you apply.

Entry-level or full accreditation?

Choose entry-level if you have 5–9 beds, are a clinic or day-care centre, or want certification within a few months at low cost. Choose full AYUSH hospital accreditation if you have 10 or more beds and want the strongest recognition for insurers, medical-value travel and corporate clients. The documentation we build for entry-level carries forward, so upgrading later is not starting again.