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OrdinanceHealth

Physicians Ordinance [New Version], 5737-1976

פקודת הרופאים [נוסח חדש], תשל"ז-1976

Published: 1976-12-16Consolidated Hebrew text as of 2025-08-07 · Last amended 2025-04-03✓ Amendment status checked against the Knesset legislation record on 2026-09-29
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Unofficial English translation — for reference only. It may contain errors or omissions and cannot be relied on as a legal text. Only the Hebrew text published in Reshumot is legally binding.More

This English text was translated from the official Hebrew using a range of translation tools, and it undergoes ongoing checks and updates. It is not a certified translation.

Despite these checks, it may contain errors, omissions, or imprecise renderings of legal terminology and cross-references, and it may not yet reflect the latest amendments. It cannot be relied upon as a legal text.

The Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) and on the Knesset website is the sole authoritative and legally binding version. In any discrepancy, the Hebrew text prevails.

This translation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For use in legal proceedings, request a certified Expert Legal Opinion.

Chapter V: Offences, Adjudication and Penalties

Penalty for Impersonating a Physician§

48.

A person who contravenes the provisions of section 3 is liable to imprisonment of one year or a fine of 10,000 liras.

Penalty for Use of a Medical Title§

49.

A person who contravenes the provisions of sections 5 or 9, or who uses the title of specialist in a particular branch of medicine or a title similar thereto to the extent of misleading, and who is not a licensed physician, is liable to imprisonment of three months.

Obtaining a Licence by Fraud§

50.

A person who obtains or attempts to obtain, for himself or for another, a licence to practise medicine or recognition of the title of specialist under this Ordinance, by means of a false or fraudulent representation or declaration, whether in writing or orally, which the person made or declared or caused to be made or declared, is liable to imprisonment of three years; and the same applies to a person who assisted him.

Employment of Assistants§

51.

A licensed physician who employs a nurse, paramedic or assistant otherwise than in accordance with section 7 is liable to a fine of 2,000 liras.

Obstruction of Inspection§

52.

A person who prevents or obstructs an authorised officer from entering or inspecting the place of work of a licensed physician or any place suspected of being such a place of work is liable to a fine of 2,000 liras.

Unlawful Employment in the Practice of Medicine§

53.

A person who employs, in an activity constituting the practice of medicine, a person who is not a licensed physician and is not an intern or a physician associate and to whom sections 57 or 59 do not apply, contrary to the provisions of section 6, is liable to imprisonment of one year or a fine of 10,000 liras.

Other Offences§

54.

A person who contravenes any provision of this Ordinance for which no other penalty has been prescribed is liable to a fine of 2,000 liras.

Ancillary Powers§

55.

A court that convicts a person of an offence under this Ordinance may, in addition to imposing a penalty —

(1)recommend the revocation or suspension of the person's licence to practise medicine;
(2)order the forfeiture of the objects by means of which the offence of which the person was convicted was committed.

Notification of Conviction of a Physician§

56.
(a)Where a licensed physician is convicted of any offence, the court shall immediately notify the Director accordingly and shall transmit to the Director a copy of the indictment and a copy of the verdict and the sentence.
(a1)Without derogating from the provisions of subsection (a), where a physician is convicted of a sexual offence or of an offence under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law, 5758-1998, the court shall act as stated in that subsection already upon the verdict; for this purpose, "convicted" and "sexual offence" — as defined in section 44d(a).
(b)(Repealed)
(c)The Minister of Justice may give directions regarding exemption from the application of this section.

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Chapter VI: General Provisions

Persons Performing the Functions of a Physician§

57.

Any officer of the Ministry of Health who is required to practise medicine in order to carry out his functions, and any ship's physician, shall have, in the performance of their functions, all the rights of licensed physicians.

Inspection§

58.

The Director or a health bureau physician within whose district the place of work of a licensed physician is located, or is suspected of being located, may at any reasonable hour enter and inspect the place.

Exemption§

59.
(a)The Director may exempt from a provision of this Ordinance the following persons:
(1)persons employed as brothers or nurses or as assistants whom the Director has designated and authorised to diagnose and treat in the circumstances as the Director has directed or permitted, in clinics or types of clinics or in hospitals or types of hospitals of the Ministry of Health or of an institution approved by the Director;
(2)persons whom the Director has approved as medical students;
(2a)dental physicians specialising in dentistry under the Dental Practitioners Ordinance [New Version], 5739-1979, in a recognised institution as defined under this Ordinance (in this paragraph — the institution), subject to conditions set by the head of the department or the head of the institution in which the specialisation is being carried out;
(3)a physician from a foreign country who has come to Israel to perform a specific operation or for a specific medical consultation.
(4)a person whom the Director has determined to be a student in a physician associate health profession, subject to conditions set by the head of the department or the head of the institution in which the person's practical training is being carried out.
(b)The Director General of the Ministry of Health shall prescribe by Regulations the qualifications required to perform activities as referred to in subsection (a)(1); on the basis of such Regulations, the director of a clinic or hospital may authorise persons with the qualifications prescribed in the Regulations to perform such activities.
(b1)The Director General may permit persons employed as referred to in subsection (a)(1) to perform activities as referred to in subsection (a)(1) also at the patient's home, subject to conditions to be prescribed by Regulations with the approval of the Health Committee of the Knesset.
(c)Subsection (b) shall not apply in circumstances involving a risk to life in which the Director General has permitted the performance of an activity as referred to in subsection (a)(1).
(d)If the Director General is not a licensed physician, Regulations under subsections (b) and (b1) and the granting of permission under subsection (c) shall require consultation with the Chairman of the Scientific Council.

Practice of Acupuncture§

59a.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Ordinance, the Director may permit a person who is not a licensed physician and who satisfies the conditions prescribed by the Minister in Regulations, to practise acupuncture under the supervision of a licensed physician; Regulations as aforesaid shall be made after consultation with the Scientific Council and with the approval of the Health Committee of the Knesset.

Publication in Reshumot (Official Gazette)§

60.

The name and address of any person who has been granted a licence or a temporary permit to practise medicine under this Ordinance, or whose temporary permit has been renewed, or whose licence or temporary permit has been revoked or suspended, shall be published in Reshumot (Official Gazette).

Regulations§

61.
(a)With the approval of the Minister, the Director may make Regulations with respect to —
(1)prescribing the procedure and forms —
(a)for applying for licences and permits under this Ordinance and for their grant;
(b)for notification of the addresses of licensed physicians;
(c)regarding the change of names of licensed physicians;
(d)regarding licences and permits that have been lost, their replacement and the payment of fees therefor;
(2)regulating the use of the name by which a licensed physician shall be known in professional practice and in correspondence with the Ministry of Health;
(3)prescribing the universities, schools and faculties of medicine and the diplomas recognised for the purposes of this Ordinance;
(4)prescribing the drugs and medicines that a licensed physician or physician associate is entitled to keep on the premises, their quantities and the manner of their storage;
(5)anaesthesia, under medical supervision, by a person who is not a licensed physician;
(6)(Repealed)
(7)the form and content of a certificate which a licensed physician is required or entitled to issue by virtue of professional capacity;
(8)the effective implementation of the purposes and provisions of this Ordinance generally.
(b)(Repealed)

Fees§

62.

The Minister may, by Order approved by the Health Committee of the Knesset, prescribe fees for —

(1)a licence, a temporary permit, a restricted permit and recognition of the title of specialist, to be paid upon their grant and upon their renewal, all as the case may be;
(2)the conduct and administration of examinations under sections 4, 17 and 17b, to be paid at the time prescribed by the Minister.
(3)the approval of a personal authorisation under Chapter II-B.

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