 | The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (October 2023) |
| Part of a series on |
| Medical law |
|---|
 |
| Principles |
| Medical treatment |
| Regulation |
|
| Administrative law |
| Criminal law |
| Tort |
| Applications of medicine to law |
| Studied by |
 Category |
Health professional requisites refer to the regulations used by countries to control the quality of health workers practicing in their jurisdictions and to control the size of the health labour market. They include licensure, certification and proof of minimum training for regulated health professions.[1]
In the health care system, a health professional who offers medical, nursing or other types of health care services is required to meet specific requisites put into effect by laws governing health care practices. The number of professions subject to regulation, the requisites for an individual to receive professional licensure or certification, the scope of practice that is permitted for the individual to perform, and the nature of sanctions that can be imposed for failure to comply vary across jurisdictions.
Most countries have credentialing staff in regulatory boards or health departments who document the certification or licensing of health workers and their work history. The processes for professional certification and licensure vary across professions and countries. Certification to practise a profession usually does not need to be renewed, while a licence usually needs to be periodically renewed based on certain criteria such as passing a renewal exam, demonstrating continuing learning, being employed in the field or simply paying a fee.[2] Most health care industry employers publish the specific requisites for persons seeking employment by means of job boards, ads and solicitations for employment. Practicing health care without the appropriate license is generally a crime.
- ^ Tulenko et al., Framework and measurement issues for monitoring entry into the health workforce. Handbook on monitoring and evaluation of human resources for health. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2009.
- ^ Schuwirth L, The need for national licensing examinations. Medical Education, 2007, 41(11):1022–1023.