Updated for September 2026. This practical checklist summarises the current Hong Kong clinic licensing framework for doctors, dentists and clinic owners. It is informational only; always confirm the latest requirements with the Department of Health / Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities (ORPHF).

1. First decide: clinic licence, small practice clinic exemption, or day procedure centre?

Under Hong Kong's Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633), clinics are regulated private healthcare facilities. A clinic generally provides medical services or minor medical procedures without lodging and does not perform Scheduled Medical Procedures. If Scheduled Medical Procedures will be carried out, the facility may require a Day Procedure Centre licence instead.

2. Check whether your clinic qualifies as a Small Practice Clinic (SPC)

An SPC must be operated only by registered medical practitioner(s) and/or registered dentist(s). It may operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership or company, subject to the statutory conditions. An SPC that meets the requirements may request a letter of exemption instead of a clinic licence.

3. Understand the current 2026 position

The Department of Health started accepting applications for clinic licences and SPC exemption requests on 13 October 2025. The transitional provisional-licence application window for clinics operating on 30 November 2018 ran from 13 October 2025 to 13 April 2026. For clinics that commenced operation after 30 November 2018, operators can apply directly for a full clinic licence.

4. Check the premises arrangement

Clinics must satisfy the relevant premises requirements under the Ordinance. For SPC exemption, the clinic must be a distinct and exclusive unit and meet the applicable separation and entrance requirements.

5. Review room use before fitting out

Before purchasing furniture or storage, map consultation rooms, treatment areas, procedure rooms, medicine storage, clean/dirty workflows and staff storage. The room count also affects the clinic-licence application fee.

6. Plan infection control and clinical storage

Use storage that supports clear separation of clean supplies, consumables, medicines, sharps-related items and used or contaminated materials according to your clinic workflow. Medical trolleys and cabinets should support cleaning, organisation and safe access.

7. Plan medicine and controlled-item storage

If medicines or controlled items are kept onsite, define who can access them, how stock is checked, how expiry is monitored, and whether additional secure storage is needed. For larger clinics, smart medication cabinets or controlled-access cabinets may help support accountability.

8. Plan equipment maintenance and records

Keep a clear process for equipment servicing, maintenance records, inspection history and replacement. Mobile medical equipment, diagnostic devices and computer workstations should have defined storage or parking locations.

9. Prepare operating procedures before inspection

Licensing is not only about premises. Clinic owners should prepare the operational documents, policies and responsible-person arrangements required by the current Code of Practice and application guidance.

10. Use the official ORPHF material as the source of truth

• Clinic licence and Small Practice Clinic exemption
• Application for Clinic Licence

Clinic setup: equipment and storage checklist

• Medical storage cabinets
• Medicine / medication storage
• Mobile medical carts
• Computer-on-wheels or mobile workstations
• Patient monitor trolley where required
• Dental carts for dental clinics
• Secure staff / clinical storage

Relevant ErgoShopping medical solutions

• Medical Carts & Trolleys
• Medical Workstation Systems
• Medical & Hospital Storage
• Medical Lockers & Smart Storage
• AI Vision Medical Cabinets

Frequently asked questions

Can every small clinic use the SPC exemption?

No. The clinic must meet the statutory SPC requirements, including operator and premises conditions.

Is the provisional clinic licence application window still open?

The published transitional application period ran from 13 October 2025 to 13 April 2026. For the current position, check ORPHF before taking action.

Does a clinic licence cover Scheduled Medical Procedures?

Not necessarily. Scheduled Medical Procedures may require a Day Procedure Centre licence under the Ordinance.