KPME for labs and imaging
Labs and scan centres have their own KPME categories and extra approvals. Get them right the first time.
- Clinics, labs, dental and hospitals
- All districts of Karnataka
- Portal filing, documents and inspection support
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
| Facility | KPME category | Portal fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pathology / clinical laboratory | Medical diagnostic laboratory (MDL) | Rs 6,300 |
| X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound centre supervised by a radiologist | Diagnostic imaging centre (DIC) | Rs 12,500 |
| Health check-up centre | Health check-up centre (HCC) | Rs 6,300 |
| Clinic with a small lab, ECG or X-ray | Clinic with diagnostic support (CDS) | Rs 6,300 |
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
Get a free KPME check
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).
Frequently asked questions
Do diagnostic labs need KPME registration?
What is the KPME fee for a scan centre?
Can I open a lab near a government hospital?
Does an ultrasound centre need PC&PNDT as well as KPME?
Do NABL labs get faster KPME?
Read next
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; 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.
