Telemedicine licensing in Georgia often causes confusion among medical personnel. It is important to understand that Georgian legislation currently does not provide for a separate "telemedicine license" for individuals (doctors). The right to independent medical practice is granted by a state certificate in the relevant specialty. However, when providing remote services, a doctor is obliged to adhere to the same professional standards as during a physical visit. The main legal challenge here is not obtaining a new license, but defining the scope of validity of the existing state certificate in the digital space, especially when the patient is located in another region or country.
Specialists on Legal.ge offer full consulting services on the legal aspects of medical practice in telemedicine:
- Certificate validity analysis: Assessing whether your existing state certificate (e.g., family doctor, cardiologist) grants the right to remote consultation in specific cases.
- Subspecialty regulation: Consulting on the legal framework for narrow specialties (e.g., teledermatology, teleradiology).
- Recognition of foreign certificates: Assisting in the process of recognizing education and licenses obtained abroad in Georgia, which is necessary to serve local patients.
- Continuing Medical Education (CME): Information and legal support regarding obligations to undergo accredited training in telemedicine.
- Legal risk assessment: Determining the boundary between "consultation" and "treatment," which affects licensing requirements.
In practice, problems arise when a doctor tries to step outside their specialty competence online. For example, a general practitioner conducting a dermatological consultation via video call risks professional liability because their certificate does not cover this. Also, cases are common where foreign doctors (expats) try to practice in Georgia without a local certificate, which is considered illegal medical practice (a violation of the Criminal Code). Another issue is the role of nurses and support staff in telemedicine — what are they allowed to do independently?
In Georgia, medical practice is regulated by the Law "On Medical Practice." According to the law, only a person with a state certificate has the right to independent medical practice. Telemedicine is viewed as a form of medical service delivery, not a separate specialty. Consequently, the doctor must have a valid certificate in the field in which they are consulting. The Law "On Medicines and Pharmaceutical Activities" also restricts the right to prescribe medication only to certified doctors.
Working with a specialist involves checking your professional dossier. The lawyer will help you register in the relevant Ministry of Health registries and ensure that your activity is fully compliant with the law. If you plan international practice, the lawyer will also investigate the licensing requirements of the target country.
Legal.ge allows you to connect with lawyers specializing in medical licensing. Do not put your career at risk — ensure that your telemedicine practice is legal and protected.
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