Licences to open a doctor's or dental clinic in Chennai
5 required licences and registrations, the official fee for each, the office that issues it and the documents to keep ready. Based on a typical small clinic with 1 to 5 staff and turnover of ₹20 to 40 lakh a year.
Fees checked: 27 Sep 2026
Required licences
5
Known official fees
₹5,000
first year, plus 3 that vary
Issuing city body
Greater Chennai Corporation
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Required licences and official fees
For a doctor's or dental clinic in Chennai (GCC), Tamil Nadu.
| Licence | Issued by | Official fee | Time | Apply at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PANCentral | Income Tax Department | Freeinstant e-PAN with Aadhaar | Same day | incometax.gov.in (Instant e-PAN) |
| Clinical establishment registrationState | State Health Department / district registering authority | ₹5,000registration fee (Rule 7, 2018 Rules) | Includes inspection | nsws.gov.in (state approvals) |
| Biomedical waste authorisationState | Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board | No fee listedTN single window shows no fee; confirm with TNPCB | Up to 90 days | tnpcb.gov.in |
| Trade licence (GCC)Municipal | Greater Chennai Corporation, Revenue Department | Variesper year by trade and floor area | Online | chennaicorporation.gov.in |
| Profession Tax (collected by your corporation)State | Greater Chennai Corporation (local body) | Up to ₹1,250 per half-year (₹2,500 a year), by income; companies also pay Company Tax | Register with the corporation when you start | chennaicorporation.gov.in |
Fees are the official government fees, not agent charges. Some fees depend on your size or change by office, so confirm on the portal before paying.
Order to apply in
- Identity and tax registration: PAN. Do these first. Later forms ask for PAN and GST.
- Sector licence: Clinical establishment registration. The licence that lets you legally run this type of business.
- Municipal licence: Trade licence (GCC). Permission from your city for these premises.
- State labour and tax: Profession Tax (collected by your corporation). Registers your workplace and staff with the state.
- Safety and environment: Biomedical waste authorisation. Depends on your premises, fuel and equipment.
Documents to keep ready
- Aadhaar linked to your mobile number
- For a firm or company: incorporation certificate or partnership deed
- Doctor's registration with the State Medical Council or NMC
- Degree certificates
- Premises proof and layout
- List of equipment and staff
- Biomedical waste agreement with a common treatment facility
- Agreement with an authorised common biomedical waste treatment facility
- Clinic registration
- Premises proof
- Property tax receipt
- Rent agreement or ownership proof
- Photo ID of the owner
- Tamil name board on the shop (5:3:2 ratio Tamil:English:other)
- PAN
- Aadhaar
- Business address proof
- GST or Shops and Establishments certificate
- Employee list with salaries
Also check if these apply
- GST registration: Free. Healthcare services by doctors are exempt from GST. Register only if you also sell taxable goods or cosmetic services above ₹20 lakh.
- Udyam (MSME) registration: Free. Free. Gets you the lower trademark fee, MSME loan schemes and protection against delayed payments.
- Shops and Establishments registration: Free. Mandatory in Tamil Nadu only from 10 workers. Below that it is optional but banks often ask for it.
- Fire NOC: Free. The new TN Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 is not yet in force; fees may change when its rules are notified.
Common questions
How much do licences cost for a doctor's or dental clinic in Chennai?
The known official fees for the required licences add up to about ₹5,000 in the first year, plus 3 fees that depend on your size or the office (Biomedical waste authorisation, Trade licence (GCC), Profession Tax (collected by your corporation)). This is the government fee only. Agents and consultants charge extra, which you can avoid by applying yourself on the official portals.
Which licence should I apply for first?
Start with PAN and GST registration, because almost every later form asks for them. Then apply for the sector licence (Clinical establishment registration), followed by the municipal licence and the state labour registration.
Do I need a trade licence from the Greater Chennai Corporation?
Yes. For a doctor's or dental clinic you need the Trade licence (GCC). The official fee is Varies (per year by trade and floor area). Apply at chennaicorporation.gov.in.
How long does it take to get all the licences?
Most registrations like PAN, GST and Udyam come through within a week. Sector and municipal licences can take 30 to 60 days where an inspection is needed, so apply for those as early as possible and before you open.
Is Govt License a government website?
No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.