A significant regulatory update is being introduced in Georgia’s healthcare system. Starting from January 26, 2026, the State Registry of Nurses and Midwives will come into effect, aimed at increasing transparency in professional activities and strengthening quality control.
This change is defined by Order No. 38/n of the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health, and Social Affairs of Georgia, which was developed based on the “Law on Health Care” of Georgia. This document was signed on January 23.
What the Registry Represents
According to the order, an electronic registry of nurses and midwives will be created, which will represent a unified database. The registry will reflect:
- Data on the issuance of state certificates or registration certificates.
- Suspension, renewal, or cancellation of activity rights.
- The history of relevant documentation.
The management and operation of the registry will be ensured by the Agency for Regulation of Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities, while technical support will be provided by the Agency for Information Technologies.
Authorization as a Mandatory Step
One of the main innovations in the order is that the right to practice nursing and midwifery will be directly linked to authorization in the registry. Continuing or starting activities without the appropriate registration will be impossible.
To obtain authorization, applicants must:
- Fill out an electronic application on the special platform: www.nursecertification.moh.gov.ge
- Provide personal and identification information.
- Submit educational verification documents (diploma or its equivalent).
- Upload scanned versions of the documents.
The data indicated in the application will be verified with state agencies in real-time.
Foreign Citizens
The order regulates the issue of foreign nurses and midwives separately. For them, authorization is based on the submission of physical documentation, which includes:
- Passport.
- Educational verification documents.
- Official confirmation of qualification recognition.
All documents must be presented in Georgian or with a notarized translation.
Control and Responsibility
The order imposes strict requirements regarding the accuracy of the data. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the submitted information, and the submission of false or incomplete documentation may lead to legal liability.
It also defines the grounds for considering an application defective and provides a 30-day period for corrections. If the defect is not corrected, the agency has the right to refuse the application.
Working without registration incurs a fine of 2000 GEL for individuals, while a repeated violation incurs a fine of 4000 GEL.
Where Similar Systems Operate
Examples of countries with similar systems include:
- United Kingdom (UK) — Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registry.
- Republic of Austria — Gesundheitsberuferegister (GBR).
- Germany — Institutional registries operating at the federal level.
- France — Ordre National des Infirmiers.
- Estonia — Electronic Health Professionals Registry.
- Canada — Canadian Nurses Association / Provincial Regulatory Bodies.
- Japan — Japanese Nursing Association / Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Based on the countries where mandatory registration or authorized registries for nurses and midwives operate, we can assume that this is a reflection of real international practice, where a registered professional registry constitutes a standard management part of the healthcare system.
