Your Path to
Medical Practice
Whether you are a school leaver considering medicine, a medical student nearing graduation, or an overseas graduate seeking to practise in Sri Lanka — SLMC is here to guide your journey.
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Recognised Local Universities
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University Recognition Check
1 Year
Internship Before Full Registration
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Online Guidance Available
Where are you in your journey?
Select the guide that best matches your current situation. Each covers everything you need to know to take the next step with SLMC.
Considering a Career in Medicine
A school leaver or A/L student thinking about medicine or dentistry as a career. Learn about entry requirements, recognised faculties, what medical school involves, and the full career journey ahead.
- Is medicine right for me?
- A/L entry requirements
- Recognised local & private faculties
- The road from A/Ls to independent practice
Local Graduates
New GradYou have graduated from a local SLMC-recognised faculty. This guide covers everything from provisional registration immediately after graduation through to your internship year and full SLMC registration.
- Provisional registration — documents & process
- 4 internship rotations explained
- Approved training hospitals
- Full registration application
- Annual renewal deadlines
Overseas Graduates
You qualified from a medical institution outside Sri Lanka — either as a Sri Lankan citizen who studied abroad or a foreign national. Understand whether your degree is recognised, what the SLMC Screening Examination involves, and how to complete your registration.
- Recognised vs non-recognised institutions
- How to check your institution's status
- SLMC Screening Examination explained
- Document authentication requirements
- Internship & full registration process
Verify Your University
Always confirm your institution is SLMC-recognised before enrolling — local or overseas.
Search RegisterRegistration Fees
View the current fee schedule for provisional registration, full registration, and annual renewal.
View FeesApply Online via e-Services
Use the SLMC e-Services portal to submit applications, pay fees, and download certificates.
Go to e-Services
Sri Lanka Medical Council
Not sure where to start?
Contact the SLMC Registration Division — our team will guide you to the right pathway for your specific situation.
Considering a Career in Medicine
Medicine is one of the most demanding yet rewarding careers you can pursue. In Sri Lanka, all practising doctors and dentists must be registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) before they can legally treat patients. Here is what you need to know before embarking on this journey.
The Road to Becoming a Doctor
Complete A/L Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at Advanced Level are the standard prerequisites for medical faculty admission in Sri Lanka.
Enter a Recognised Faculty
Gain admission to a university faculty of medicine that is recognised by SLMC. Check the SLMC register of recognised institutions before enrolling.
Complete the MBBS / BDS
The undergraduate medical or dental degree typically spans 5–6 years, including clinical placements at teaching hospitals.
Provisional Registration
Upon graduation you receive provisional registration with SLMC, allowing you to begin your compulsory internship year under supervision.
Complete the Internship
One year in an approved hospital, rotating through required disciplines. Both medicine/surgery and community health postings are mandatory.
Full SLMC Registration
After the internship is signed off, you become fully registered and can practise independently anywhere in Sri Lanka.
Tip for school leavers: Always confirm that your chosen faculty — whether in Sri Lanka or overseas — is on the SLMC list of recognised institutions before committing to enrolment. Graduating from an unrecognised institution can prevent registration.
Recognised Local Faculties
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna
- Faculty of Medicine, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
- Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya
Private and overseas institutions require individual SLMC recognition. Contact SLMC or check the official gazette for the complete and up-to-date list.
Is medicine right for me?
- Strong interest in the biological sciences and human health
- Genuine desire to serve patients with empathy and respect
- Commitment to life-long learning and continuing education
- Ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions
- Strong work ethic — the training is long and demanding
Registration Pathway for New Graduates
After graduating from a recognised faculty you must register with SLMC before practising. The process involves two stages: provisional registration (while completing your internship) and full registration (after the internship is certified).
Provisional Registration
Applied for immediately after graduation. Allows you to work as an intern doctor under the supervision of a fully-registered consultant. You cannot practise independently on provisional registration.
Full Registration
Granted after successfully completing the internship year and having your performance certified by your supervising consultant and the hospital director. You are then entitled to practise independently.
Annual Renewal
SLMC registration must be renewed every year. Practising without a valid, current registration is a criminal offence under the Medical Ordinance.
Documents Required — Provisional Registration
- Completed SLMC application form
- Original degree certificate (or official letter from the university confirming completion)
- National Identity Card or valid passport
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Official transcript / academic record
- Payment of the prescribed registration fee
- Declaration of good health and character
Important Deadlines
- Apply for provisional registration within 30 days of your graduation date
- Submit your internship completion certificate within 90 days of finishing your internship
- Renew your full registration before 31st December each year to avoid a late penalty
Internship Guide
All newly graduated doctors must complete a one-year compulsory internship in an SLMC-approved hospital before they can be fully registered. This supervised period ensures you gain the clinical experience required to practise safely and independently.
Internship Rotations
Medicine / Surgery (6 months)
Two rotations of three months each, typically medicine and surgery, in a base hospital or teaching hospital.
Obstetrics & Gynaecology (3 months)
Clinical posting in an approved obstetrics unit under a consultant O&G specialist.
Paediatrics (3 months)
Posting in an approved paediatric unit under a consultant paediatrician.
Certification: At the end of each rotation, your supervising consultant must complete an official SLMC performance report. All reports must be submitted to SLMC to qualify for full registration.
Approved Training Hospitals
- National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo
- Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya
- Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya
- Teaching Hospital, Jaffna
- Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura
- Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo
- Castle Street Hospital for Women, Colombo
- De Soysa Hospital for Women, Colombo
Additional approved hospitals may be added by SLMC gazette notification. Contact SLMC for the full current list.
Key Rules During Internship
- You must work under direct supervision at all times — no independent practice
- Leave entitlement is limited; extended absences may require extending the internship
- Internship posts cannot be swapped without prior SLMC approval
- Any misconduct during internship can result in cancellation of provisional registration
- Salary and service conditions are governed by the Ministry of Health
Overseas & Local Overseas Graduates
If you have obtained your medical degree from an overseas institution — or if you are a Sri Lankan citizen who studied abroad — you must satisfy additional SLMC requirements before you are eligible for registration to practise in Sri Lanka. SLMC evaluates each application individually based on the recognition status of the awarding institution.
Eligibility & Process
Check if your institution is recognised
Contact SLMC or check the official register. If your awarding institution is not recognised, you may need to sit additional examinations.
Submit your application with credentials
Certified copies of your degree, transcripts, and identity documents must be submitted. Original documents may be required for verification.
SLMC Screening Examination (if required)
If your institution is not on the recognised list, you must pass the SLMC Screening Examination before provisional registration is granted.
Provisional Registration & Internship
Once cleared, you receive provisional registration and must complete the standard one-year internship in an approved Sri Lankan hospital.
Full Registration
After the internship is certified, full SLMC registration is granted and you may practise independently.
Countries with Many Sri Lankan Graduates
- Russia & Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria)
- China (Peoples Republic of China)
- India (MBBS institutions recognised by NMC India)
- United Kingdom (GMC-recognised medical schools)
- Australia & New Zealand (AMC-accredited programmes)
- United States & Canada (LCME / CACMS accredited)
Recognition status depends on the specific institution, not just the country. Always verify your university's status with SLMC directly before enrolment.
Warning: Practising medicine without a valid SLMC registration is a criminal offence under the Medical Ordinance No. 26 of 1927, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Do not begin clinical practice until your provisional registration certificate has been issued by SLMC.
Sri Lanka Medical Council
Ready to Begin Your Medical Career?
Whether you are just starting out or returning from studies overseas, SLMC is here to ensure your path to registration is clear and supported.