Before your first patient, most of the work is administrative. Requirements differ from canton to canton, but the order of the steps is almost always the same. Here are the five, and where to check each point.
1. The cantonal authorisation to practise
To work under your own professional responsibility you need an authorisation to practise, issued by the canton where you work. It only covers that canton’s territory: if you work across two cantons, you need two authorisations.
- a recognised diploma, entered in the federal NAREG register;
- two years of full-time practice after the diploma, under the direction of a qualified nurse (part time is accepted from 50 %, over a maximum of four years);
- professional liability insurance covering your activity;
- the personal conditions: being trustworthy and in a state of health that allows you to practise.
2. Self-employed status with the OASI
Your OASI compensation fund reviews your situation and issues a certificate of self-employment. That document is requested again later in the process, so start this step early.
3. Admission to bill and the RCC number
Billing mandatory health insurance requires two things. First an admission granted by the canton, which checks that you meet the conditions of the Health Insurance Act and its ordinance. Then an RCC number from the creditor register, kept by santéservices — formerly SASIS SA, renamed on 1 July 2026. That number must appear on every invoice you issue; it saves you from proving your qualifications to each insurer separately.
4. Knowing what mandatory insurance covers
Article 7 of the Health Care Benefits Ordinance defines three categories of care at home: assessment, advice and coordination; examinations and treatments; basic care. They are covered on medical prescription or mandate, for a limited period that has to be renewed. The hourly amounts covered are set in the ordinance: they are not negotiated with the patient, and they are worth knowing before you build your schedule.
5. Becoming visible and reachable
Once the formalities are settled, you still have to let people know you exist. This is where many launches run out of steam. Over the first months, two things count: the local medical network — family doctors, pharmacies, hospital liaison teams, nursing homes — and a clear online presence.
- a page stating your services, your coverage area and your languages;
- a way to reach you without phone tag: contact form and online appointment booking;
- identical details everywhere (name, address, phone);
- a one-sentence introduction for the partners you meet.
Requirements and requested documents differ between cantons and change over time. Confirm every point with your canton’s public health service, your compensation fund and your professional association (SBK-ASI). This article gives the framework; it does not replace that advice.
For the visibility part, nursee lets you publish a professional site with a contact form and an online calendar, with no technical skills. Create your site.