The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has extended the deadline for ambulance owners and operators to register and obtain licences under the country’s emergency medical services framework. In a notice issued on Thursday, September 17, the council said the free registration and licensing period has been extended to October 30, 2026, following the launch of Ambulance Evacuation Services.
“Following the successful launch of Ambulance Evacuation Services, the Council is pleased to announce that the deadline for free registration and licensure has been extended to 30th October 2026,” KMPDC said.
The council urged ambulance owners and operators who have not completed the process to use the additional time to submit their applications before the new deadline.
“Ambulance owners and operators are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this extended grace period to submit their applications at no cost,” the council added.
After October 30, applicants will be required to pay the applicable charges for application, inspection, registration and licensing in accordance with the relevant regulations. The registration process is conducted through KMPDC’s Emergency Medical Services platform. The council’s online system allows ambulance providers to create an organisation profile, register individual ambulances and arrange for inspection and verification. KMPDC’s registration requirements include documentation relating to the ambulance, ownership and the personnel operating the service. The council’s published requirements include a vehicle inspection report, logbook, certificate of conformity, details of emergency medical personnel, equipment lists, insurance and proof of an operational base or dispatch centre.
Once an application and supporting documents have been verified, KMPDC conducts an inspection before issuing an Emergency Medical Services and ambulance provider registration certificate and an annual operating licence.
The registration exercise comes as Kenya rolls out a national system intended to coordinate ambulance evacuation and emergency referrals. The National Ambulance Dispatch Centre and the Social Health Authority’s 922 emergency lifeline were launched in August to coordinate ambulance deployment and referrals across the country’s 47 counties. By the launch, more than 200 KMPDC-accredited ambulances had already been onboarded, according to reports. Under the system, ambulance evacuation and the first 24 hours of emergency treatment are covered through the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund at approved tariffs. The cover applies regardless of whether a patient is registered with SHA or has paid their SHA contributions, according to President William Ruto’s remarks following the launch. The arrangement is intended to connect ambulance providers to a coordinated emergency response system rather than leaving patients and families to independently arrange emergency transport.
KMPDC has been tasked with regulating emergency medical services, including ambulance providers and emergency care personnel. The council says registration is intended to establish standards for ambulance services, ensure vehicles are appropriately equipped and operated by qualified personnel, and strengthen accountability in pre-hospital emergency care. Its public register currently lists 390 ambulance providers and 732 registered ambulances, although these figures are live and may change as more applications are processed. The registered ambulances include county government, private, national government and faith-based providers. KMPDC had previously directed ambulance service providers and emergency care personnel to register with the council, citing the need to standardise emergency services and support the emergency component of the Social Health Authority framework.