The Medical Act 1971 (Amendment 2012) and the Medical Regulations 2017 came into force on 1^st July 2017. The Act provides that all doctors must be registered under this Act to practice as a specialist and ensure that they meet the necessary qualifications and standards set by the MMC.

The Malaysian Medical Council has established the Specialist Register to keep the database of specialist medical practitioners in the country. Only medical practitioners on the Specialist Register can practice in their respective specialty.