KPME frequently asked questions
50 answers about KPME registration in Karnataka, checked against the official portal and the 2026 amendment.
- Clinics, labs, dental and hospitals
- All districts of Karnataka
- Portal filing, documents and inspection support
KPME guide: all topics
Basics
What is KPME registration?
KPME registration is the licence every private medical establishment in Karnataka must hold under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007. It is applied for online on the KPME portal of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, and the certificate is issued after document checks and, in most cases, an inspection.
What is the full form of KPME?
KPME stands for Karnataka Private Medical Establishments. The law is the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007 (Karnataka Act 21 of 2007), with rules made in 2009 and several amendments since.
What is KPME in Kannada?
KPME is ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಖಾಸಗಿ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳು (Karnataka Khasagi Vaidyakiya Samsthegalu), meaning Karnataka Private Medical Establishments.
What is the KPME Act?
The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007 (Karnataka Act 21 of 2007). It has been amended several times, including Act 01 of 2018 and Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026, which applies from 29 September 2025.
What is a KPME certificate?
The registration certificate issued to a private medical establishment under the KPME Act after approval. It shows the registration number, which must also be displayed on a board at the entrance.
What is the KPME website?
The official portal is kpme.karnataka.gov.in, run by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka.
What is the KPME helpline number?
The portal lists the KPME helpdesk at Arogya Soudha, 6th Floor, Magadi Road, 1st Cross, Bengaluru 560023, phone 080-23295605, email dd2medical@gmail.com, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Who grants KPME registration?
The district Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, grants, renews or refuses registration.
Who needs KPME
Who needs KPME registration?
Every private medical establishment in Karnataka: clinics and polyclinics, dental clinics, diagnostic labs, imaging centres, health check-up centres, AYUSH and allied health centres, blood banks and hospitals of every level. The portal lists 18 categories.
Is KPME registration mandatory?
Yes. All private medical establishments in Karnataka must register and obtain the licence certificate.
What is the difference between a new and an existing establishment on the portal?
A new establishment is one not yet started (proposed). An existing establishment is one already running without a licence certificate.
Do labs and diagnostic centres need KPME?
Yes. Medical diagnostic laboratories and diagnostic imaging centres are separate KPME categories. See categories and fees.
Do AYUSH clinics need KPME?
Yes. There is an AYUSH therapy centre category covering Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and Naturopathy.
Do physiotherapy centres need KPME?
Yes. Physiotherapy and other allied health centres (audiology, optometry, dietetics, speech therapy and more) fall under the allied health professional centre category.
Are mental health establishments covered?
Yes. The 2026 amendment added mental health establishments to the definition of private medical establishment.
Is there any restriction on opening a new lab near a government hospital?
Yes. Section 6 says no new private clinical laboratory may be permitted within 200 metres of a government hospital, or of a hospital run by a society, trust or body owned or controlled by government or local bodies, with effect from the 2017 amendment.
Documents
What documents are required for KPME registration?
Building documents, fire and pollution certificates where applicable, owner details, staff qualifications and council registrations, schedule of charges and grievance contact details. Full list: KPME documents checklist.
What is the file size limit on the KPME portal?
PDF documents up to 500 KB each; the owner’s photo up to 25 KB.
Which councils are listed on the KPME portal?
KMC, KAUP, KBHSM and KSDC for doctors; KSNC and KSPC for nursing and paramedical staff.
Is Aadhaar needed for KPME?
The application is e-signed using Aadhaar-based OTP authentication, so the signing person needs an Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Online application and status
How do I apply for KPME registration?
Sign up on the KPME portal, fill in the application sections, upload documents, e-sign, pay online and attend the inspection. Step by step: KPME online application guide.
Is there a prescribed form for KPME?
Yes, it is online. Once you register on the portal, the facility for online submission of the establishment application is available.
How do I check KPME application status?
Log in to the portal. The dashboard shows the stages: submission and e-sign, payment, inspection and approval, with status and remarks.
How do I check a KPME registration number online?
The KPME portal has an “Approved Certificates” list where approved establishments can be searched.
Which browsers work with the KPME portal?
The official FAQ lists Internet Explorer 10 and above, Firefox and Google Chrome, and recommends turning off the pop-up blocker.
The e-sign window does not open. What should I do?
The official FAQ says to turn off the browser’s pop-up blocker. For an e-sign invalid transaction error, the portal publishes a separate help document.
I forgot my KPME username. How do I recover it?
The portal manual says to email dd2medical@gmail.com with a copy of your previous KPME certificate.
Can I change my KPME password?
Yes. After logging in, use the Change Password option.
Fees
How much does KPME registration cost?
The government fee depends on the category, from Rs 3,100 for a consultation-only clinic to Rs 2,50,000 for a teaching hospital, as shown on the portal’s Rate Details page. The portal calculates the exact amount when you choose your category. See the full fee table.
What is the KPME fee for a clinic?
Rs 3,100 for consultation only; Rs 6,300 with diagnostic support, dispensary or observation.
What is the KPME fee for a hospital?
Rs 25,000 (Level 1A), Rs 37,500 (Level 1B), Rs 50,000 (Level 2), Rs 1,25,000 (Level 3 or speciality hospital) and Rs 2,50,000 (Level 4 teaching).
How is the KPME fee paid?
Online only, through the Karnataka Khajane-II gateway by net banking, card or UPI.
Timelines, inspection and the 2026 rules
How long does KPME registration take?
The law now says the authority should issue a provisional certificate within 10 days of a complete application and decide on permanent registration within 90 days. If you hold NABH, NABL, NQAS or QAI accreditation, or a QCI third-party inspection certificate, registration should be granted within 10 days without inspection. Real timelines vary by district and by how complete your file is.
What is provisional KPME registration?
Introduced in 2026: a provisional certificate issued within 10 days of application, valid for six months and renewable. It is needed before permanent registration.
Who inspects for KPME?
The inspecting officer (such as the Taluk Health Officer) or an inspection committee of the district authority. See KPME inspection.
Can NABH hospitals skip the KPME inspection?
Yes. With NABH, NABL, NQAS or QAI accreditation, or a QCI third-party inspection certificate, registration or renewal is to be granted within 10 days without inspection.
What is e-DAR and why does KPME need it?
e-DAR is the portal for furnishing data and medical reports in road accident cases. Registration on it is now a pre-requisite for permanent KPME registration or renewal.
Can my KPME application be rejected without a hearing?
No. The authority must give the applicant an opportunity to be heard and record reasons before rejecting.
Renewal
How long is a KPME registration valid?
Under the 2026 amendment, permanent registration or renewal is valid for five years. Provisional registration is valid for six months and can be renewed.
When should I apply for KPME renewal?
Apply 90 days before your certificate expires. Running after expiry can attract penalties. See the KPME renewal guide.
Is there KPME auto-renewal?
Yes, the portal has an Auto Renewal Establishment option.
What if my KPME has already expired?
Apply for renewal at once. Operating without valid registration is an offence; districts have fined hospitals Rs 1 lakh. See KPME renewal.
Penalties and compliance
What is the penalty for running without KPME registration?
It is an offence under section 19(1) and can lead to fines, prosecution and closure. See KPME penalties.
What is the penalty for unqualified staff?
Up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh under section 19(1-A).
Is a KPME board mandatory?
Yes. A board with the KPME number, establishment name and owner’s name, blue for allopathy and green for Ayurveda, per a June 2024 circular.
Can a clinic run while the KPME application is pending?
The 2026 amendment introduced provisional registration, issued within 10 days of application. Running without any registration is an offence under section 19, so apply before you start seeing patients.
Medasus KPME services
Does Medasus guarantee KPME approval?
No consultant can. Registration is granted only by the district Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority. Medasus prepares your file, checks your premises against the standards and supports you through inspection, which removes most avoidable delays and rejections.
Does Medasus handle KPME across Karnataka?
Yes. We work with clinics, labs, dental clinics and hospitals across Karnataka, with our team based in Bengaluru.
Can Medasus also handle fire, pollution and drug licences?
Yes. See licensing and approvals.
How do I start?
Use the form on this page or WhatsApp us on +91 99165 15255 with your facility type and city for a free licence check.
Ask us about your KPME case
Tell us your facility type and city. We will tell you which KPME category applies, what documents you need and what else your facility must have (fire, pollution, drug licence and so on).
Need help with KPME?
Talk to the Medasus licensing team in Bengaluru. We handle the portal filing, documents and inspection preparation.
Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka; KPME category and fee table (Rate Details); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025); KPME portal FAQ. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Registrations are granted only by the Government of Karnataka through the district Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official portal before applying.
