Checking that a doctor trained abroad is practicing legally in France is not just about looking for a nine-digit number in a directory. Since the gradual migration from the ADELI directory to the RPPS, the reference points have changed. The ADELI number alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee the authenticity of a practitioner, and the proper verification process now relies on cross-referencing several official identifiers.
ADELI or RPPS: which identifier to check for a foreign doctor
| Criterion | ADELI | RPPS |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 9 digits (department + profession code + order number) | 11 digits, unique national identifier |
| Current status | Being phased out for migrated medical professions | Active reference, maintained by the Digital Health Agency |
| Covered professions | Professions not yet migrated (psychologists, dietitians, osteopaths, etc.) | Doctors, pharmacists, midwives, nurses, and progressively migrated professions |
| Public verification | Consultation possible with the ARS of the department | Health Directory (annuaire.sante.fr), free access |
| Reliability for a doctor | Outdated for most doctors | Only up-to-date identifier for practicing doctors |
For a doctor graduated abroad, the migration to the RPPS means that the Health Directory is the primary entry point, not the search for an old ADELI number. If the practitioner does not appear in the RPPS, the question is no longer whether their ADELI number is authentic, but whether they have a valid practice authorization.
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Before continuing your checks, it is useful to understand the complete procedure for checking an ADELI number in France, especially the steps specific to diplomas obtained outside the European Union.
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Practice authorization: the prerequisite that the number alone does not prove
A foreign doctor may hold a perfectly authentic diploma without having the right to practice in France. The ADELI or RPPS number does not replace the practice authorization issued by the competent authorities.
The administrative process differs depending on the origin of the diploma. For practitioners graduated in the European Union, recognition is based on European directives for mutual recognition. For those graduated outside the EU, the procedure goes through a practice authorization commission, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health.
What the authorization procedure concretely involves
- The practitioner must provide their original diplomas, translated and authenticated, to the ARS of their intended installation location.
- A review by a commission checks the compliance of the training with French requirements, sometimes with additional tests for diplomas from outside the EU.
- Registration with the Order of Doctors is mandatory before any practice, in accordance with Article L4111-1 of the Public Health Code.
- Registration in the RPPS only occurs after validation of all these steps.
A number present in the Health Directory confirms that this administrative chain has been completed. In contrast, a practitioner who provides an isolated ADELI number, without appearing in the RPPS or the Order’s register, raises a warning signal.
Cross-referencing identifiers: the reliable method to detect fraud
Verification by a single number exposes vulnerabilities. An ADELI number may have belonged to a professional who has ceased activity, or be assigned to a profession different from the one claimed. The consistency between several official data is the true test of legitimacy.
Control points to cross-check
The Health Directory at annuaire.sante.fr displays, for each registered professional, their civil identity, declared profession, mode of practice (liberal, salaried, mixed), and place of practice. Compare this information with what the practitioner communicates to you.
The Order of Doctors’ register is an independent source. Each departmental council keeps an updated list of doctors authorized to practice in its jurisdiction. A doctor absent from the Order’s register does not have the right to practice, regardless of the number they present.
The ARS of the department remains the last resort in case of doubt. It can confirm whether a practitioner has indeed been registered and whether their practice authorization is still valid.
Concrete warning signs
- The number provided has a department code that does not correspond to the announced place of practice.
- The practitioner is neither in the Health Directory nor in the Order’s register, but claims to have been practicing for several years.
- The profession associated with the ADELI number (visible by the two digits in positions 3 and 4) does not correspond to that of a doctor.
Teleconsultation and remote practice: a blind spot in control
The development of teleconsultation has made verification more difficult. In a physical consultation, the patient can spot the mandatory display of the diploma and registration number in the office. At a distance, these reference points disappear.
Serious teleconsultation platforms verify the RPPS registration of listed practitioners themselves. A foreign doctor offering consultations outside any identified platform, without a verifiable RPPS number in the Health Directory, represents an increased risk.
The reflex remains the same: before any consultation, enter the practitioner’s name on annuaire.sante.fr. The absence of results does not automatically mean fraud (an administrative delay is still possible), but it justifies suspending the process and contacting the competent ARS.
The transition from ADELI to RPPS has simplified access to information for the general public, provided one knows where to look. For a foreign doctor practicing in France, the ADELI number alone is an outdated indicator. The real verification goes through the Health Directory, the Order’s register, and, in case of persistent doubt, direct contact with the ARS of the practice department.