Category Archives: KPME

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

For hospitals and nursing homes, the KPME category is decided by the level of care you provide. The level sets the fee, the inspection checklist and what the inspector expects to see.

Hospital levels and fees

Exact definitions for each level are in our KPME categories guide. A maternity or nursing home is placed in the level that matches its services.

Licences a hospital needs before KPME approval

• Fire NOC (Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services) where the building requires it
• KSPCB consent to establish and operate, and biomedical waste authorisation
• Drug licence for the hospital pharmacy
• AERB for X-ray, CT and C-arm; PC&PNDT for ultrasound
• Blood storage or blood centre licence if applicable
• MTP place approval if terminations are performed
• Trade licence, shop and establishment, FSSAI for the kitchen
• e-DAR registration, a pre-requisite under the 2026 amendment

Inspection focus for hospitals

• Bed strength, ward and ICU layout as declared
• Operation theatre zoning, sterilisation and infection control
• Round-the-clock qualified doctors and nurses as per level
• Emergency equipment, oxygen and power back-up
• Records, consent forms and a displayed schedule of charges

Use NABH to fast-track every renewal

Under Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026, NABH-accredited hospitals are to be registered or renewed within 10 days without inspection. Hospitals up to 50 beds can choose NABH SHCO or Entry Level certification.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025). Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

Bengaluru has the largest number of private medical establishments in Karnataka, and its district authorities have been the most active on enforcement. If you are opening or running a facility anywhere in Bangalore, from Whitefield and HSR Layout to Rajajinagar and Yelahanka, the KPME rules are the same as the rest of the state, but the local licences and inspection pace differ.

Who approves KPME in Bangalore?

Applications are made online on the KPME portal. Establishments in the city are registered under the Bengaluru Urban district (certificate numbers begin with BLU), and approval is given by the district Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority, with inspection by health officers of the area.

KPME fees for common Bangalore set-ups

All 18 categories: KPME fees.

Local licences alongside KPME

• Trade licence from the city corporation (BBMP / Greater Bengaluru), renewed yearly
• Fire NOC for high-rise buildings above 15 m
• KSPCB consent for bedded hospitals, and biomedical waste authorisation for all
• Drug licence for an in-house pharmacy
• AERB for X-ray, PC&PNDT for ultrasound
• Shop and establishment registration for staff

Each one explained: hospital and clinic licences in Karnataka.

Bangalore-specific tips

• Check the building first. Many commercial buildings lack an occupancy certificate or fire clearance; this blocks hospitals later.
• Use a registered rent agreement in the establishment’s name.
• Get the KPME board made before inspection: blue for allopathy, green for AYUSH.
• Diary the renewal 90 days before the five-year expiry; Bengaluru has fined and cancelled registrations in 2026.

How Medasus helps in Bangalore

Our team is in Bengaluru. We check your premises, choose the category, prepare documents, guide you through the portal and get you inspection-ready. Setting up a new hospital? See complete hospital set-up.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025); Deccan Herald, 19 Aug 2026: 7 private medical facilities fined for KPME violations; 3 lose licences. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

KPME enforcement is no longer occasional. Through 2025 and 2026, district authorities have fined hospitals and clinics, filed cases and cancelled registrations. Reading what they acted on is the fastest way to see where your own facility might be exposed.

Recent enforcement

What authorities are acting on

• No registration or expired registration: an offence under section 19(1)
• Unqualified doctors or paramedics: since 2026, up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 1 lakh under section 19(1-A)
• Services beyond the registered category, such as a consultation clinic running a lab
• No KPME number board, charges or grievance details displayed
• Charges not matching the schedule declared on the portal
• Biomedical waste violations

A 10-minute self-check

1. Search your establishment on the Approved Certificates page and check the validity date.
2. Compare the category code with the services you actually offer.
3. Check every doctor and nurse on the portal is still working with you and their council registration is current.
4. Walk to your entrance: is the KPME board there, in the right colour?
5. Are charges displayed and the same as on the portal?
6. Is your biomedical waste agreement current?

More on obligations: KPME penalties and compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025); Mangalore Today, 14 Oct 2026: hospitals fined for failing to renew registration; Deccan Herald, 19 Aug 2026: 7 private medical facilities fined for KPME violations; 3 lose licences; Medical Dialogues, 20 Aug 2026: KPME violations, 7 establishments fined. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

A KPME application rarely fails because a facility cannot be registered. It fails because something on the form does not match the documents or the premises. These are the reasons we see most often when establishments come to us after a rejection, a return or months of pending status.

Application stage

Inspection stage

Use our KPME inspection checklist a week before the visit.

If your application is stuck pending

• Check the status in your login: pending payment, pending inspection or pending approval each need a different action.
• Under the 2026 amendment, a provisional certificate is due within 10 days of a complete application and permanent registration within 90 days. If these have passed, follow up with the district Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority in writing.
• Do not create a second application for the same premises; it causes duplicate records.

If it was rejected

Read the remarks, fix every point, and re-apply or respond as the portal allows. Keep evidence of each fix (photos, renewed certificates). Never continue seeing patients without at least a provisional registration.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025). Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

The KPME Act covers every system of medicine, not just allopathy. Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and Naturopathy establishments must register too. The portal records the system of medicine for each establishment and has a dedicated AYUSH therapy centre (ATC) category.

Clinic or AYUSH therapy centre?

Doctor registrations the portal accepts

AYUSH doctors register with their state boards; the portal lists KAUP (Karnataka Ayurveda and Unani Practitioners’ Board) and KBHSM (Karnataka Board of Homoeopathic System of Medicine) alongside KMC and KSDC. Therapists should hold certificates from recognised courses.

Green board, not blue

The June 2024 display circular requires a board at the entrance with the KPME number, establishment name and owner’s name, on a green background for AYUSH (blue is for allopathy).

Therapy centre checklist

• Separate therapy rooms for men and women, with privacy
• Changing area and bathing or shower facilities for oil therapies
• Hygienic medicine preparation and storage
• Qualified supervising doctor and trained therapists
• Linen management and waste disposal
• Schedule of charges for each therapy package

Wellness spas that offer AYUSH treatments under a doctor are often asked to register too. If in doubt, check before opening.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); New Indian Express, 9 Jun 2024: KPME number display circular. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

Every private diagnostic establishment in Karnataka needs KPME registration. Labs and imaging centres have their own categories, and they usually need more licences than a clinic.

The right category

The 200 metre rule for new labs

Section 6 of the KPME Act 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 controlled by government or local bodies. Check the distance before you sign a lease.

Extra approvals you will need

• AERB licence or registration for X-ray, CT, C-arm and similar equipment (eLORA portal)
• PC&PNDT registration for any ultrasound machine, before first use
• Biomedical waste authorisation and an agreement with a common treatment facility
• KSPCB consent where applicable, and a trade licence from the local body
• Qualifications of the pathologist or radiologist and technicians, with council registrations

Details of each: hospital and clinic licences in Karnataka.

NABL fast track

Under Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026, a lab holding NABL accreditation is to be granted KPME registration or renewal within 10 days without inspection. For labs planning to grow, NABL pays back at every renewal.

What the inspector checks in a lab

• Separate sample collection, processing and reporting areas
• Equipment calibration and maintenance records
• Waste segregation with colour-coded bins
• Qualified signatory for reports
• Display of test charges

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025). Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

Yes, a physiotherapy clinic in Karnataka needs KPME registration. Physiotherapy falls under the Allied health professional centre (AHC) category, along with audiology, optometry, dietetics, occupational therapy, speech pathology and clinical psychology. The portal fee for this category is Rs 6,300.

Which category: AHC or clinic?

Documents for a physiotherapy clinic

• Physiotherapist qualification (BPT / MPT) and registration with the Karnataka State Physiotherapy Council or relevant council
• Owner ID and Aadhaar-linked mobile for e-sign; owner photo up to 25 KB
• Ownership or rent agreement, khata or occupancy documents, floor plan and photos
• List of equipment (electrotherapy, traction, exercise equipment) and the services you offer
• Schedule of charges for consultation and each therapy session
• Biomedical waste arrangement if you generate any clinical waste
• Trade licence from BBMP or the local body

Space and set-up the inspector looks for

• Reception and waiting area, with accessible entry for patients with limited mobility
• Treatment cubicles with privacy curtains
• Exercise area with enough space for the equipment declared
• Hand-washing, clean linen and a first-aid kit
• KPME number board at the entrance and charges displayed

Steps

1. Sign up on the KPME portal with the AHC category.
2. Fill and upload staff, equipment and documents.
3. E-sign and pay Rs 6,300.
4. Provisional certificate, due within 10 days.
5. Inspection and permanent registration within 90 days, valid five years.

Portal walk-through: KPME online registration step by step.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025); Karnataka State Physiotherapy Association: KPME guidance. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025 was published as Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 and applies from 29 September 2025. It changes how registration is granted, how long it lasts and what happens when rules are broken. Here is what it means for your clinic, lab or hospital.

The 10 changes at a glance

Why accreditation now matters for KPME

Change 4 is the most useful for growing hospitals. An NABH accreditation or Entry Level certificate can turn a months-long inspection cycle into a 10-day grant at every renewal. See NABH accreditation and NABH Entry Level certification for programme fees.

The staff rule is the one that hurts

Section 19(1-A) makes employing unqualified medical officers or paramedical staff a criminal offence. Practical steps:

• Keep council registration certificates for every doctor and nurse on file and on the portal
• Check renewals of council registrations, not just the original certificate
• Update the KPME portal whenever staff join or leave
• Do not let unregistered assistants perform clinical tasks

What to do now

1. Check your certificate validity on the Approved Certificates page.
2. Diary the renewal date 90 days before expiry.
3. Register on e-DAR if you have not.
4. Audit staff qualifications against the portal record.
5. Consider NABH or NABL to use the 10-day fast track.

Full process: KPME registration guide.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025). Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

All KPME applications in Karnataka are filed online at kpme.karnataka.gov.in. The portal is simple once you know the order of steps, but small mistakes, like a photo over 25 KB or a mismatched council number, send applications back. This guide follows the official KPME user manual for fresh applications and adds what we see in practice.

Before you start: keep these ready

• Establishment name, full address and the correct KPME category
• Owner details and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for e-sign
• Every doctor’s and staff member’s qualification and council registration (KMC, KSDC, KAUP, KBHSM, KSNC, KSPC)
• Floor plan, building photos, ownership or rent documents, and certificates such as fire and pollution where they apply
• Your schedule of charges and a grievance redressal contact
• All documents as PDFs of up to 500 KB each; owner photo up to 25 KB

The full list is in our KPME documents checklist.

Step 1: Sign up

Click Sign Up on the portal (Establishment sign up). Enter the establishment name, address and category, and create a username and password. Use an email and mobile number you will keep for the next five years: renewal notices and OTPs go there.

Step 2: Sign in (or SSO sign in)

Log in with your username and password, or use SSO Sign In if you use the Karnataka single sign-on. Never share your password or OTP with anyone, including consultants. A good consultant prepares everything and you or your staff complete the login and e-sign steps.

Step 3: Fill the application

• Establishment details: category, system of medicine, specialities, beds if any
• Ownership: proprietorship, partnership, company, trust or society, and owner details
• Staff: each doctor, nurse and paramedic with qualification and council registration
• Infrastructure and equipment for your category
• Schedule of charges and grievance redressal details

Step 4: Upload documents

Upload PDFs within the size limits. Staff certificates are uploaded as images. Enter expiry dates for certificates like fire and pollution correctly, as expired documents stall approval.

Step 5: E-sign and pay the fee

E-sign with the Aadhaar-linked mobile and pay the category fee online, from Rs 3,100 for a consultation-only clinic to Rs 2,50,000 for a teaching hospital. See all KPME fees.

Step 6: Provisional certificate, inspection and approval

Under Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026, a provisional certificate is due within 10 days of a complete application. The inspecting officer then schedules a visit, at least two days ahead, and fills an online checklist. Permanent registration is decided within 90 days. Facilities with NABH, NABL, NQAS or QAI accreditation, or a QCI inspection certificate, are to be registered within 10 days without inspection. Prepare with our KPME inspection checklist.

Common portal errors

The official KPME user manual for fresh applications and auto renewal manual are on the portal.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025); KPME user manual: fresh applications. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.

By the Medasus Healthcare licensing team, Bengaluru. Updated 2 November 2026.

Patients, insurers, landlords, corporate clients and hospital empanelment teams increasingly ask for proof of KPME registration. The good news: every approved certificate can be checked online on the official Karnataka portal, free and without a login. This guide shows how to check a KPME registration number, what the certificate number means, and how establishments get and display their own certificate.

How to check a KPME registration number online

1. Open the official portal at kpme.karnataka.gov.in. Avoid look-alike sites that ask for payment.
2. Go to Informational Services › Approved Certificates (direct link: Approved Certificates).
3. Search by establishment name, or by application number or certificate number.
4. Read the result row: system of medicine, category, establishment name, address, certificate validity date and certificate number.
5. Click View under Rate Details or Establishment Details to see the declared charges and establishment information, or use the QR code option.

If the establishment does not appear, try a shorter part of its name. Names are stored exactly as entered in the application, often in capital letters, and spellings can differ from the signboard.

What the KPME certificate number means

Certificate numbers on the portal follow a pattern such as BLU00000ALCOC:

The category code tells you what the establishment is registered for. A clinic registered as COC should not be running a lab or X-ray; that needs the diagnostic support category. All codes and fees are in our KPME fees and categories guide.

Check the validity date, not just the number

The result shows the certificate validity. Under Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026, registration is valid for five years and renewal must be applied for 90 days before expiry. A certificate past its validity date is a red flag: in October 2026 two hospitals in Dakshina Kannada were fined Rs 1 lakh each for operating without renewal.

How establishments get their own KPME certificate

• The certificate is issued after the application is approved by the district Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority.
• Under the 2026 amendment, a provisional certificate is due within 10 days of a complete application, and permanent registration is decided within 90 days after inspection.
• Log in to your establishment account on the portal to track the status and get the approved certificate.
• Keep both a printed copy and the PDF. You will need it for insurance empanelment, NABH, bank loans and renewals.

Display rules: number board and certificate

A June 2024 Health Department circular requires every establishment to display a board at the entrance with the KPME registration number, establishment name and owner’s name: blue background for allopathy, green for AYUSH. The certificate itself should be displayed inside. Missing boards are being acted on during inspections; see KPME penalties and compliance.

Common certificate problems and fixes

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed on 2 November 2026 against: KPME portal; KPME Rate Details (category fees); Karnataka Act No. 06 of 2026 (KPME Amendment Act, 2025); Mangalore Today, 14 Oct 2026: hospitals fined for failing to renew registration; New Indian Express, 9 Jun 2024: KPME number display circular; KPME Approved Certificates search. Medasus Healthcare Pvt Ltd is a private consultancy that helps establishments prepare and file applications. Licences and approvals are granted only by the respective government departments; Medasus cannot guarantee approval or timelines. Rules and fees change, so always check the official source before applying.