How to check a hospital or clinic in the Philippines is licensed and accredited
Hospitals, clinics, laboratories and dialysis centres must hold a licence to operate from the Department of Health, listed in the DOH National Health Facility Registry. PhilHealth accreditation is separate and determines whether PhilHealth benefits apply. Individual doctors, dentists, therapists and nurses must hold a Professional Regulation Commission licence, which you can verify online. International accreditation such as JCI is voluntary and signals extra quality systems, not a legal requirement.
Last updated November 4, 2026 · 🏥 Healthcare rankings →
Step 1: DOH licence to operate
The Department of Health licenses hospitals, infirmaries, clinics with specific services, laboratories, dialysis centres, ambulatory surgical clinics and more. Hospitals are classified Level 1, 2 or 3 by capability. Search the facility name in the National Health Facility Registry and compare the address and ownership with what the facility publishes. Licensed facilities usually display the licence near reception; ask to see it if in doubt.
Step 2: PhilHealth accreditation
PhilHealth accredits institutional health care providers separately from the DOH licence. Accreditation is what lets PhilHealth benefit packages be deducted from your bill. Check the facility on PhilHealth's accredited-provider lists or ask the billing office for the accreditation number and validity dates.
Step 3: the practitioner's PRC licence
Physicians, dentists, physical therapists, nurses, psychologists and optometrists are licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission. Use the PRC verification page with the name on the clinic door. Specialty board certification (for example from the Philippine Dermatological Society or Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology) is voluntary and separate; check the society's own directory.
What international accreditation means
- JCI (Joint Commission International): a voluntary hospital-wide quality and patient-safety accreditation; confirm it on the JCI directory, which lists the accreditation date.
- ISO 9001 / ISO 15189: management-system or laboratory standards certified by an accredited certification body.
- Accreditation Canada, Temos, DNV: other international programmes some Philippine hospitals use.
None of these replaces the DOH licence.
Questions to ask before admission
- Is my HMO or PhilHealth coverage accepted for this procedure, and what is the estimated out-of-pocket amount?
- Which room categories are available, and what is the rate sheet?
- Who is the attending physician, and is a second opinion available?
- What are the visiting hours and discharge-billing process?
FAQ
Can I see a hospital's DOH licence online?
Yes: search the National Health Facility Registry at nhfr.doh.gov.ph for the facility name, licence status and classification.
Does PhilHealth accreditation mean a hospital is good?
It means PhilHealth benefits can be applied there. Quality signals come from DOH level, specialty accreditations and the facility's published services.
How do I check a doctor is really a doctor?
Search the name on the PRC verification site; a valid licence shows the profession and registration status.
Related rankings
- Top 10 hospitals in the Philippines
- Top 3 dental clinics in the Philippines
- Top 3 aesthetic & dermatology clinics in the Philippines
- Top 3 diagnostic labs in the Philippines
Sources
- doh.gov.ph/
- nhfr.doh.gov.ph/
- www.philhealth.gov.ph/
- online.prc.gov.ph/verification
- www.jointcommissioninternational.org/
Editorial guide by Best Philippines. Not legal, financial or medical advice; check the sources for current rules and figures.