WHAT IS LCP?
What is Letter of Credenialing and Privileging (LCP) exam in Aesthetic Medicine?
The most important step towards becoming an Aesthetic Doctor in Malaysia and start your own Aesthetic Centre in Malaysia is to get your Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP). This requirement is mandated by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH or KKM) for any Medical Doctors who wish to practice Aesthetic Medicine in Malaysia.
The LCP states that the holder is credentialed and authorized to practice Aesthetic Medicine in Malaysia. To get the LCP, Medical Doctors would have to undertake Aesthetic Medicine courses in Malaysia to prepare themselves for the KKM LCP examinations.
Read on for the breakdown of the guide to passing the KKM LCP Exam and get the LCP Certification in Malaysia. This includes the protocol of applying for the LCP, basic requirements, and the application process pathway.
What is LCP Exam
Medical doctors need to pass the LCP exam in Malaysia to practice as an Aesthetic Doctor in Malaysia.
The MOH together with the relevant professional bodies, formed a task force known as the Main Credentialing and Privileging Committee. Doctors who plan to start an aesthetic Centre in Malaysia will have to prepare for the LCP exam and subsequently pass the LCP exam conducted by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
The LCP exam is a two-part assessment:
- Part One is a written MCQ assessment. Doctors will be tested on the theoretical aspects of Aesthetic Medicine. This comprises of the fundamentals in aesthetic medicine, ethics, safety, and medico-legal issues related to Aesthetic Medical Practice.
- Part Two is a viva where only selected procedures and the submitted logbook will be assessed.
Doctors who successfully passed the exam will be given the Letter of Credentialing and Privileging for the chapters they selected, and they will have their names included in the Registry for General Practitioners Practicing Aesthetic Medical Practice in Malaysia.
What are the requirements to apply for the LCP Exam
There are some basic eligibility and requirements to apply for the LCP exam for you to be an Aesthetic Doctor in Malaysia and to start your own Aesthetic Practice in Malaysia. The LCP task force committee prepares the Guidelines on Aesthetic Medical Practice for Registered Medical Practitioners and monitors the LCP process for Malaysian Medical Doctors. The pre-requisites to apply for the LCP exam are as below:
- Malaysian Medical Doctors – Only Malaysian Medical Doctors are eligible to apply for the LCP certification with MOH. There are no guidelines for Dental Surgeons for Aesthetic Medicine yet. Beauticians and non-Doctors are NOT entitled to the LCP.
- Valid APC Registration – The Malaysian Medical Doctor must possess a current year Annual Practicing Certificate when applying for the LCP exam with MOH.
- Full MMC registration – The Malaysian Medical Doctor must have a full registration with the Malaysian Medical Council upon.
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience in Private Practice – The Malaysian Medical Doctor must have a minimum of 2-years’ experience in private practice.
- Completed Aesthetic Medicine Course – The Medical Doctor should have completed a well-structured Aesthetic Medicine course as per MOH required syllabus such as:
- Professional Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine Malaysia
- Post Graduate Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine
- Professional Certificate in Aesthetic Medicine
The Aesthetic Medicine course or Aesthetic Medicine diploma in Malaysia must cover both theory and clinical training. So, it does not matter whether you have a Certificate, Diploma, or Masters in Aesthetic course in Malaysia, as long as the aesthetic medical syllabus is aligned with MOH requirements.
Tip: Do review the syllabus first before enrolling to a course as some courses can be also under the name of Cosmetology course in Malaysia.
How to apply for the LCP exam?
Before you embark on a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine Malaysia, you must understand the application process of getting the KKM LCP Certification. When you are equipped with the skills and knowledge in Aesthetic Medicine whether it is a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine or a Certification in Aesthetic Medicine in Malaysia, you can then submit your application and supporting documents to your respective Secretariat. Here is the breakdown of the application process.
- Step 1: Medical Doctors are required to submit the duly completed LCP application form along with the relevant supporting documents to their respective Chapter Secretariat.
- Step 2: The verified documents will be forwarded to the Main Credentialing and Privileging Committee of Aesthetic Medical Practice by the Secretariat.
- Step 3: Successful Doctors will be contacted for the LCP exam when the entry requirements have been reviewed. The expected timeline is subjected to MOH’s waiting list.
- Step 4: A two-part assessment will be conducted by the Main Credentialing and Privileging Committee of Aesthetic Medical Practice.
- Step 5: Successful Doctors will be awarded the Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) by the Medical Practice Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Important note: There is a list of procedures in the LCP application form where doctors must select the clinical procedures they intend to do. Doctors are required to complete and document a specified number of procedures according to their clinical procedure of choice.
You will also need TWO LCP holders as your referees to endorse your paperwork.
What are LCP chapters?
There are three chapters in the National Registry of Registered Medical Practitioners Practicing Aesthetic Medical Practice. These chapters are categorized according to the medical doctor’s discipline:
- Chapter 1: Registry for General Practitioners Practicing Aesthetic Medical Practice
- Chapter 2: Registry for Medical Specialists Practicing Aesthetic Medical Practice
- Chapter 3: Registry for Surgical Specialists Practicing Aesthetic Medical Practice
Please note that each Chapter is governed by its own committee and goes by its own set of procedures. The LCP will then be awarded according to their Chapters. Regardless of chapters, you must prepare yourself with knowledge and skills to sit for the LCP examinations. This is where your qualifications such as Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine comes in.
Who regulates the LCP process?
The Malaysian Ministry of Health has outlined the regulations for practicing Aesthetic Medicine in Malaysia.
The MOH has established relevant committee, act, and guidelines to regulate the practice which include:
- The Credentialing and Privileging Committee of Aesthetic Medical Practice regulates the medical practitioners practicing Aesthetic Medicine.
- The Private Healthcare Act regulates the process of setting up any clinical practice in Malaysia.
- The Guideline on Aesthetic Medical Practice provides guidelines specifically for setting up an Aesthetic Medical Practice.
Upon the issuance of the Letter of Credentialing and Privileging, the Medical Doctor’s name will be listed in the National Registry of Registered Medical Practitioners Practicing Aesthetic Medical Practice.
Do note that the LCP will only be valid for 3 years and can be renewed by paying a fee of RM450 to Pertubuhan Doktor Estetik Berdaftar Malaysia (PDEBM).
If you intend to set up an Aesthetic Medicine practice in Malaysia, be sure to comply to regulations and pay attention to every aspect of the law and guidelines.
Be aware of these common professional misconducts in Aesthetic Medicine in Malaysia:
- Practicing Aesthetic Medicine without an LCP.
- Practicing Aesthetic Medicine with an expired LCP.
- “Renting” LCP from other Doctors to “legitimize” their Aesthetic practice.
Any misconduct will be addressed through disciplinary procedures by the Ministry of Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
A good training program for Aesthetic Medicine for Malaysian Doctors must cover 3 aspects:
About Aesthetic Medicine – Scope of Aesthetic Medicine, principles, and foundations of each field of Aesthetic Medicine, such as Botulinum toxin, Fillers, Lasers, Chemical Peels, Skin tightening devices, anatomy and so on. It must also cover Aesthetic Medicine procedures, Aesthetic treatment outcomes and complications, and managing Aesthetic Medicine complications.
How to pass LCP exam – LCP examination requirements, the exam format/questions and how to prepare for the LCP exam. The Aesthetic Medicine training program should also assist you in completing your logbook on your selected clinical procedures.
How to start an aesthetic practice in Malaysia – How to start your Aesthetic practice, how to renovate an Aesthetic clinic, budget for Aesthetic clinic and importantly what is the business trajectory for your Aesthetic practice.
- You need to register your practice in accordance with the Malaysian Private Healthcare Act (1998) as set forth by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia. Please note this is mandatory.
- Refer to the Malaysia – Private Healthcare Act 1998 (PDF document) and Malaysia – Guideline on Aesthetic Medical Practice (PDF document) for reference.
- Describe the structure of your practice – as an independent clinic or under the purview of a company. Registering your practice as a Company is a better option; in which case, the Company must be registered in accordance with the Companies Act, of Malaysia.
- Please ensure you have your Letter of Credentialing & Privileging (LCP), and your name is registered in the Registry for medical practitioners practicing Aesthetic Medicine before applying for your clinic license.
- An Aesthetic Practice must have an Owner and a PIC, just like a general practice. The Owner may or may not be a registered medical practitioner, but the PIC must be a registered medical practitioner with a valid Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) and Letter of Credentialing & Privileging (LCP).
There are several institutes that offer Aesthetic education in Malaysia.
- The International Institute of Wellness & Aesthetic Medicine (IIWAM) offers the Professional Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine, which is certified and awarded by European University (Paris). Prof Dr Morthy conducts the training programs at IIWAM. Prof Dr Morthy was the one who spearheaded the aesthetic medical training program for both UCSI University and MAHSA University.
- UCSI university also offers aesthetic courses in Malaysia.
- MAC (medical aesthetic certification) also offers aesthetic training program in Malaysia.
There are not many institutes that offer short courses such as Botox courses, dermal filler courses, threadlift, PRP or stem cell courses in Malaysia. However, you can check out the advanced training in Botox, dermal fillers, threadlift, PRP and stem cell that is offered by IIWAM. Click her to find out more.
International Institute of Wellness & Aesthetic Medicine (IIWAM) provides comprehensive guidance for doctors applying for the LCP Exam. Doctors attending the Professional Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine (LCP) program will receive a detailed outline for LCP Exam application, including the process and requirements, and can use the program’s hands-on training to help in completing their logbook. IIWAM’s online library has over thousands of articles and slides that doctors can use alongside with the onsite lecture training. Lectures are conducted over 6-alternate weekends. At the end of the program, doctors will receive the certificates from European University (Paris), CPD standards office (UK) and City & Guilds of London (for theory). Find out more at www.iiwam.ac/education.
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