Registrar of Council
Open ↗13.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, the Minister must appoint a public officer to be the Registrar of the Council.
(2) The Minister may appoint a Deputy Registrar to assist the Registrar in carrying out the Registrar’s functions and duties under this Act.
(3) The Registrar may, subject to such conditions or restrictions as the Registrar thinks fit, delegate to the Deputy Registrar any of the Registrar’s powers or functions under this Act, except the power of delegation conferred by this subsection.
(4) The Registrar may continue to exercise any power conferred on him or her or perform any function under this Act despite the delegation of the power or function under this subsection.
(5) Other than the Registrar’s functions under this Act, the Registrar has such other functions as may be prescribed.
Registers
Open ↗14.—(1) The Registrar must maintain and keep the following registers:(a)
a register called “The Register of Allied Health Professionals with Full Registration”, which is divided into parts, with one part corresponding to every prescribed allied health profession and containing the particulars mentioned in subsection (2) of persons who are registered as allied health professionals with full registration in that profession;
(b)
a register called “The Register of Allied Health Professionals with Restricted Registration”, which is divided into parts, with one part corresponding to every prescribed allied health profession and containing the particulars mentioned in subsection (2) of persons who are registered as allied health professionals with restricted registration in that profession;
(c)
a register called “The Register of Allied Health Professionals with Conditional Registration”, which is divided into parts, with one part corresponding to every prescribed allied health profession and containing the particulars mentioned in subsection (2) of persons who are registered as allied health professionals with conditional registration in that profession;
(d)
a register called “The Register of Allied Health Professionals with Temporary Registration”, which is divided into parts, with one part corresponding to every prescribed allied health profession and containing the particulars mentioned in subsection (2) of persons who are registered as allied health professionals with temporary registration in that profession.
(2) The particulars of every registered allied health professional to be contained in a part of a register are the following:(a)
his or her name and residential address;
(b)
the address of his or her current place of practice;
(c)
the date of the registration of the person in that part of the register;
(d)
the qualification by virtue of which he or she is registered and the date he or she obtained that qualification; and
(e)
such other particulars as the Council may determine for that part of the register.
(3) The Registrar is responsible for the maintenance and custody of the registers.
(4) Subject to subsection (6), every person whose name is entered in a register must inform the Registrar in writing of —(a)
any change in his or her name or residential address;
(b)
any change in his or her practice address or such of his or her other particulars as may be prescribed; or
(c)
any change of or addition to his or her qualification,
within 28 days after such change or addition.
(5) Any person who contravenes subsection (4)(a) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
(6) A person who makes a report of a change in his or her residential address under section 10 of the National Registration Act 1965 is deemed to have complied with subsection (4)(a) on the date that he or she makes the report.
(7) The Registrar may disclose any information in the registers to any person prescribed by regulations, if such disclosure is in accordance with such conditions as may be specified in those regulations.
(8) Subsection (7) is without prejudice to any other right or duty to disclose the information under general or written law.
Alterations in registers
Open ↗15.—(1) The Registrar must —(a)
insert in the appropriate register any alteration which may come to the Registrar’s knowledge to any particulars or qualifications of any registered allied health professional;
(b)
correct any error in a register; and
(c)
remove from the appropriate register the name of any person —(i)
whose name is ordered to be removed under any provision of this Act;
(ii)
who is deceased;
(iii)
who has requested and shown sufficient reason for the person’s name to be removed from that register, unless an inquiry has or proceedings have commenced under Part 5 against that person; or
(iv)
whose registration has lapsed.
(2) The Registrar may remove from the appropriate register the name of a person who has not renewed his or her practising certificate for a continuous period of not less than 2 years.
Full registration
Open ↗16.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person who is or was an allied health professional with conditional registration in a prescribed allied health profession under section 18(1)(a) may be registered as an allied health professional with full registration in that profession if the person —(a)
has, to the satisfaction of the Council, complied with the conditions and restrictions imposed on his or her registration under section 18(5); and
(b)
satisfies such other requirements as the Council may, with the approval of the Minister, prescribe.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a person who —(a)
holds any qualification recognised by the Council for the purposes of this subsection; and
(b)
satisfies the Council that he or she has the knowledge and skill and sufficient experience in a prescribed allied health profession,
may, if the Council thinks fit so to direct, be registered as an allied health professional with full registration in that prescribed allied health profession.
(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), the Council may, if it is of the view that it is not in the public interest for a person mentioned in either of those subsections to be registered as an allied health professional with full registration, direct that the person be registered —(a)
provided section 17(1) is satisfied, as an allied health professional with restricted registration in any prescribed allied health profession, and section 17(2) and (3) applies accordingly; or
(b)
as an allied health professional with conditional registration in any prescribed allied health profession, and section 18(4) to (9) applies accordingly.
Restricted registration
Open ↗17.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person may, if the Council thinks fit so to direct, be registered as an allied health professional with restricted registration in a prescribed allied health profession if, in the opinion of the Council, the person is competent to practise independently only in a branch or an area of that profession or at a particular establishment or description of establishments, because of —(a)
the nature, extent, period or recency of his or her previous practice of that profession;
(b)
the nature, extent, period or recency of his or her training in that profession;
(c)
his or her physical or mental health; or
(d)
any other reason.
(2) A person may be registered under subsection (1) subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Council may impose.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the Council may impose the following conditions and restrictions:(a)
the particular employment or description of employment for the purposes of which the person is registered;
(b)
the particular establishment or description of establishments in which the person may practise the prescribed allied health profession;
(c)
the particular branch or area of the prescribed allied health profession in which the person may practise.
Conditional registration
Open ↗18.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person may, if the Council thinks fit so to direct, be registered as an allied health professional with conditional registration in a prescribed allied health profession if the person —(a)
holds such qualification in that profession conferred by an institution of higher learning in Singapore as may be prescribed;
(b)
holds such qualification in that profession conferred by an institution of higher learning outside Singapore as may be prescribed; or
(c)
holds such other qualification in that profession which is in the opinion of the Council not lower in standing than a qualification mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b), and the person satisfies the Council that he or she has the knowledge and skills and has acquired the experience which is necessary for the practice of that profession,
and the person has been selected for employment in Singapore as an allied health professional in an establishment approved by the Council.
(2) For the purpose of satisfying itself that a qualification in subsection (1)(c) is not lower in standing than a qualification mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b), the Council may require a person to undergo and pass an examination conducted or arranged by the Council or by such other person as the Council may appoint.
(3) Despite subsection (1), a person who —(a)
holds any qualification recognised by the Council for the purposes of this subsection;
(b)
satisfies the Council that he or she has particular specialised knowledge and skill, and sufficient experience, in the practice of a prescribed allied health profession or any branch thereof; and
(c)
has been selected for employment in Singapore as an allied health professional in an establishment approved by the Council,
may, if the Council thinks fit so to direct, be registered as an allied health professional with conditional registration in that prescribed allied health profession.
(4) The Council may register a person under subsection (1) or (3) for such period as the Council thinks fit, and the registration may be renewed, at the discretion of the Council, for such further period or periods as the Council thinks fit.
(5) A person may be registered under subsection (1) subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Council may impose.
(6) Without limiting subsection (5), the Council may impose the following conditions and restrictions:(a)
the person must work for a specified period in such establishment and under the supervision of such allied health professional who is registered with full or restricted registration in the same prescribed allied health profession as that of the person, as the Council may approve in order to acquire practical experience of such nature as the Council may determine;
(b)
the degree of the supervision mentioned in paragraph (a) must meet such requirements as the Council may specify;
(c)
the person’s performance is subject to review by such allied health professional who is registered in the same prescribed allied health profession as that of the person, or by such healthcare professional, as the Council may approve;
(d)
the particular employment or description of employment for the purposes of which the person is registered;
(e)
the particular establishment or description of establishments in which the person may practise the prescribed allied health profession;
(f)
the particular branch or area of the prescribed allied health profession in which the person may practise.
(7) Without limiting sections 16 and 17, a person who is or has been registered as an allied health professional with conditional registration may, upon the revocation or lapsing of all the conditions and restrictions imposed under subsection (5), apply to the Council to be registered as an allied health professional with full or restricted registration, and section 16 or 17 (as the case may be) applies accordingly.
(8) On an allied health professional with conditional registration becoming any other type of registered allied health professional, his or her name must be removed from the Register of Allied Health Professionals with Conditional Registration.
(9) Except with the approval of the Council, a person who has been an allied health professional with conditional registration in a prescribed allied health profession must not be registered again as such in the same profession.
Temporary registration
Open ↗19.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person —(a)
who is in Singapore for the exclusive purpose of teaching, research or postgraduate study in a prescribed allied health profession in an institution approved for that purpose by the Council;
(b)
who possesses knowledge, experience and skill in a prescribed allied health profession which the Council considers to be of international standing or are such as to have special value to the people of Singapore; or
(c)
who is not otherwise entitled to be registered as a registered allied health professional under section 16(1) or (2), 17(1) or 18(1) or (3) but who, in the opinion of the Council, possesses other qualifications and experience in a prescribed allied health profession which are adequate for the purposes of registration under this section,
may be registered as an allied health professional with temporary registration in that profession for so long as the person continues to engage himself or herself exclusively in teaching, research or postgraduate study in that profession under such approved training scheme in such approved institution, or in such healthcare capacity, as the Council may specify.
(2) The Council may require a person seeking registration under subsection (1) to sit for and pass such examination as may be prescribed by the Council.
(3) Any registration under subsection (1) is for a period not exceeding 2 years which may be renewed, at the discretion of the Council, for a further period or periods each not exceeding 12 months.
(4) A person may be registered under subsection (1) subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Council may impose.
(5) Without limiting subsection (4), the Council may impose the following conditions and restrictions:(a)
the person must work for a specified period in such establishment and under the supervision of such allied health professional who is registered with full or restricted registration in the same prescribed allied health profession as that of the person, as the Council may approve;
(b)
the degree of the supervision mentioned in paragraph (a) must meet such requirements as the Council may specify;
(c)
the person’s performance is subject to review by such allied health professional who is registered in the same prescribed allied health profession as that of the person, or by such healthcare professional, as the Council may approve;
(d)
the particular employment or description of employment for the purposes of which the person is registered;
(e)
the particular establishment or description of establishments in which the person may practise the prescribed allied health profession;
(f)
the particular branch or area of the prescribed allied health profession which the person may practise.
Power to amend, vary, rescind, revoke or suspend condition or restriction
Open ↗20. To avoid doubt, the power of the Council to impose a condition or restriction under section 17, 18 or 19 includes the power to amend, vary, rescind, revoke or suspend that condition or restriction.
Application for registration
Open ↗21.—(1) An application for registration must be made in such form and manner as the Council may determine and must be accompanied by —(a)
such documents and particulars as the Council may require; and
(b)
such fees as the Council may prescribe.
(2) Before registering an applicant, the Council may require the applicant to submit himself or herself to a medical examination by a medical practitioner approved by the Council to determine if the applicant is fit to practise as a registered allied health professional.
(3) The costs of any medical examination mentioned in subsection (2) must be borne by the applicant.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), where an applicant has complied with subsection (1) and any requirement of the Council mentioned in subsection (2), the Council may register him or her under section 16, 17, 18 or 19.
(5) The Council may refuse to register any applicant who —(a)
has had his or her registration as an allied health professional (or its equivalent) in any other country withdrawn, suspended or cancelled; or
(b)
in the opinion of the Council —(i)
is not eligible to be registered;
(ii)
is not of good reputation and character;
(iii)
is unfit to practise —(A)
because his or her ability to practise has been impaired by reason of his or her physical or mental condition; or
(B)
for any other reason;
(iv)
has failed without reasonable cause to submit to a medical examination when required to do so under subsection (2);
(v)
has failed to comply with any condition or restriction of any previous registration that may have been imposed on him or her by the Council; or
(vi)
should not be registered because this would not be in the public interest.
(6) Where the Council refuses to register an applicant, the Council must by written notice inform the applicant of the refusal.
(7) Any person who is aggrieved by any refusal of the Council under subsection (5) may, within 30 days of the notice given under subsection (6), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.
(8) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Council may prescribe different fees for different classes of applicants.
Certificate of registration
Open ↗22. Upon the registration of a person, the Council must issue to the person a certificate of registration and specify in the certificate the prescribed allied health profession for which the person is registered.
Practising certificate
Open ↗23.—(1) A registered allied health professional who desires to obtain a practising certificate for the prescribed allied health profession for which he or she is to be registered must make an application to the Council in such form and manner as the Council may require.
(2) The application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
(3) A practising certificate is valid for such period as the Council may determine.
(4) An application for the renewal of a practising certificate must be made no later than 30 days before the expiry of the practising certificate and must be made in such form and manner as the Council may prescribe.
(5) A registered allied health professional who applies for a practising certificate later than 30 days before the expiry of the practising certificate shall be liable to pay to the Council such late application fee as may be prescribed.
(6) The Council may —(a)
refuse to grant a practising certificate to a registered allied health professional; or
(b)
refuse to renew the practising certificate of the registered allied health professional,
if the registered allied health professional fails to comply with any condition that is prescribed by the Council with the approval of the Minister for the purposes of this section.
(7) Without limiting subsection (6) and section 75(2)(d), the Council may, with the approval of the Minister, prescribe conditions that require an applicant for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate to —(a)
submit such information or declaration (including a statutory declaration) as the Council may require; and
(b)
comply with such continuing professional education requirements as may be prescribed.
(8) Where a person’s practising certificate is suspended or cancelled under any provision of this Act, he or she must surrender the certificate to the Council within 14 days after the suspension or cancellation.
(9) If a person’s registration has lapsed or the person has had his or her name removed from a register or his or her registration suspended under any provision of this Act, any practising certificate issued to him or her is deemed to be cancelled and he or she must surrender the practising certificate to the Council within 14 days after the lapse, removal or suspension.
(10) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (8) or (9) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
Publication of list of duly qualified allied health professionals
Open ↗24. The Registrar must publish on the Council’s Internet website, or on such other medium which is accessible to members of the public as the Minister may require, a list of the names, practice addresses, qualifications and dates of qualifications and registration of all duly qualified allied health professionals.
Registered allied health professionals to use only qualifications entered in registers and approved titles, etc.
Open ↗25.—(1) A registered allied health professional must not —(a)
use or exhibit or publish in any card, letter, stationery, nameplate, signboard, placard, circular, handbill or any notice displayed at the premises used by him or her for the practice of any prescribed allied health profession any qualification other than the qualifications which are entered against his or her name in the appropriate register or which has been approved by the Council; or
(b)
use any title, addition or designation other than the title, addition or designation which has been approved by the Council.
(2) Any registered allied health professional who contravenes subsection (1) may be subject to disciplinary proceedings under this Act.
Power of Council to remove names from registers
Open ↗26.—(1) Despite the provisions of this Act, the Council may, upon such evidence as it may require, order the removal from the appropriate register of the name of a registered allied health professional under any of the following circumstances:(a)
if he or she has been registered with restricted, conditional or temporary registration, and has failed to comply with any condition or restriction to which his or her registration is subject;
(b)
if he or she has been registered with conditional or temporary registration, and the Council is of the opinion, having regard to any review by a person mentioned in section 18(6)(c) or 19(5)(c) (as the case may be), that he or she is unable to perform the duties of an allied health professional with conditional or temporary registration (as the case may be) satisfactorily;
(c)
if he or she has been registered with conditional registration and the Council is of the opinion, having regard to a report of an allied health professional supervising him or her pursuant to a condition mentioned in section 18(6)(a), that he or she is unable to perform the duties of an allied health professional with conditional registration satisfactorily;
(d)
if he or she has obtained his or her registration fraudulently or by an incorrect statement;
(e)
if his or her qualification for registration under this Act has been withdrawn or cancelled by the authority or institution of higher learning through which it was acquired or by which it was awarded;
(f)
if he or she has had his or her registration (or its equivalent) in any other country withdrawn, suspended or cancelled by the authority which registered him or her.
(2) The Council must, before exercising its powers under subsection (1), notify the registered allied health professional concerned of its intention to take such action and must give the registered allied health professional an opportunity to submit reasons why his or her name should not be removed.
(3) Any person who is aggrieved by any order of the Council under subsection (1) may, within 30 days of being notified of the order, appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.
Restoration of name removed under section 26
Open ↗27.—(1) Where the name of a person has been removed from a register under section 26(1)(a), (b) or (c), the Council may, on its own motion or upon the application by the person —(a)
direct that his or her name be restored to the appropriate register; or
(b)
register him or her as an allied health professional with restricted, conditional or temporary registration, and section 17(2) and (3), 18(4) to (9) or 19(3), (4) and (5) (as the case may be) applies accordingly.
(2) An application under subsection (1) must not be made to the Council more than once in any period of 6 months by or on behalf of the person.
(3) An application under subsection (1) must not be made to the Council by or on behalf of the person unless the person has complied with all the terms of the order made against him or her under section 26(1), where applicable.
Registrar’s certificate
Open ↗28. A certificate purporting to be under the hand of the Registrar —(a)
to the effect that at any time or during any period specified in the certificate any person was or was not a registered allied health professional or had or did not have in force a practising certificate; or
(b)
as to any entry in a register, or the removal from a register of any entry,
is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, and without further proof of the signature appended to the certificate, sufficient evidence of the matters specified in the certificate.
Source: Singapore Statutes Online (Attorney-General's Chambers), © Government of Singapore.
