# Law No. 3268 of September 30, 1957

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649309](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649309)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3268-of-september-30-1957

## Summary
Law No. 3268 of September 30, 1957, is a Brazilian federal statute that provides regulations regarding Medical Councils and establishes provisions for the medical profession. Enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek, the law addresses the competencies, composition, and registration of physicians within the federal jurisdiction of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3268, de 30 de setembro de 1957.
- **Legal Classification:** Instance of a statute (a formal written document that creates law).
- **Date of Enactment:** September 30, 1957.
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Approving President:** Juscelino Kubitschek (promulgation).
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (federal).
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Primary Subject:** Medical Councils (Conselhos de Medicina).
- **Key Topics Covered:** Autarky, Ministry of Education, physician registration, professional competency, fines, and penalties.
- **Identifiers:** Lexml Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-09-30;3268`.
- **Citation:** Lei nº 3268/1957.
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l3268.htm
- **WikiProject:** Included on the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What is the main purpose of Law No. 3268/1957?**
The law primarily governs the operation and regulation of Medical Councils in Brazil, setting the legal framework for the oversight of the medical profession, including the registration and competency of physicians.

**Who signed Law No. 3268 into effect?**
The statute was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, with President Juscelino Kubitschek overseeing the promulgation on September 30, 1957.

**Where was this law officially published?**
It was officially published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as the federal capital of Brazil at the time of the law's enactment in 1957.

**Does this law relate to the Ministry of Education?**
Yes, the law includes the Ministry of Education (Ministerio Da Educação e Cultura - MEC) as a main subject, indicating provisions regarding the educational and administrative aspects of medical regulation.

**Is the text of this law freely accessible?**
As a Brazilian statute, the document is in the public domain and can be accessed officially via the Planalto government website and is indexed in the Brazilian Legal Metadata system (Lexml).

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3268/1957 is a foundational legal instrument for the regulation of medical practice in Brazil. By defining the structure and powers of Medical Councils—autarchic entities entrusted with supervising the medical profession—the law ensures the standardization of professional ethics and competency across the country. Its enactment under President Juscelino Kubitschek represents a significant moment in Brazilian legislative history, formalizing the relationship between the state, the medical community, and the Ministry of Education. The statute remains relevant as the governing framework for physician registration, professional conduct, and the application of penalties, thereby safeguarding public health through organized professional oversight.

## Notable For
- **Medical Oversight:** Establishing the legal basis for Medical Councils (Conselhos de Medicina) in Brazil.
- **Presidential Context:** Being enacted during the administration of President Juscelino Kubitschek, a key figure in Brazilian modernization.
- **Historical Capital:** Being published in Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil prior to the transition to Brasília in 1960.
- **Legal Structure:** Operating as an autarky (autarquia), defining a specific type of public law entity with administrative independence.
- **Digital Preservation:** Being indexed in the Lexml system with the specific URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-09-30;3268`.

## Body

### Legal Nature and Classification
Law No. 3268/1957 is classified as a statute, a formal written document that functions as a manifestation of statutory law. As a subclass of a written work and rule, it serves as an official record of legal rules enacted by the Brazilian government. The text is structured as a "Lei" (Law), identified by the specific title "Lei nº 3268, de 30 de setembro de 1957." It follows the legislative process of "draft laws" and is created through the act of legislation by the appropriate governing bodies. Consistent with the nature of statutes in jurisdictions like Brazil, the United States, and France, this document is considered part of the public domain under the edict of government doctrine, ensuring unrestricted public access to the legal text.

### Legislative History and Approval
The statute was promulgated on September 30, 1957, by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The determination method for its approval was specifically "promulgation." The political context of the law places it under the administration of President Juscelino Kubitschek, who served as the head of state during this period. The law was officially published in Rio de Janeiro, which was the seat of the federal government at the time, occurring three years before the inauguration of Brasília as the new capital in 1960. The document is referenced in the official legislation database and is part of the WikiProject Brazilian Laws, highlighting its importance in the country's legal corpus.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The law's digest summarizes its purpose as "DISPÕE SOBRE OS CONSELHOS DE MEDICINA, E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS" (Provides on the Medical Councils, and other provisions). It encompasses a wide range of subjects critical to the administration of the medical profession:

*   **Medical Regulation:** The primary focus is on the "Physician" (Médico), defining their "Register" (Registro), "Inscription" (Inscrição), and "Competency" (Competencia).
*   **Institutional Framework:** It establishes the "Autarky" (Autarquia) of the Medical Councils, linking these entities to the "Ministry of Education" (Ministerio Da Educação e Cultura - MEC).
*   **Operational Aspects:** The law covers the "Content" (Composição) of the councils, their "Goal" (Objetivo), and the "Use" (Aplicação) of their regulations.
*   **Compliance and Penalties:** It stipulates "Penalties" (Penalidade) and addresses the "Employee" (Pessoal) status within the context of these councils.

### Jurisdiction and Geography
The law applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil, a federal republic and the largest country in South America. At the time of the law's enactment, Brazil was navigating its republican governance structure, having declared independence in 1822. The specific place of publication, Rio de Janeiro, remains a major cultural and economic hub, though the political capital has since moved. The statute is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil, which is spoken by the vast majority of the population.

### Identification and Accessibility
The law is cataloged with several specific identifiers that facilitate its retrieval and citation in legal and academic systems:
*   **Lexml Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-09-30;3268`
*   **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3268/1957
*   **Official URL:** Hosted on the Planalto Palace domain: `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l3268.htm`

These identifiers align the statute with global standards for legal documentation, akin to the `https://schema.org/Legislation` class used in structured data. The availability of the text via the official government portal ensures transparency and adherence to the principles of open government.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-09-30;3268)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3268&ano=1957&data=30/09/1957&ato=9bfITSU9UMNRVTbaf)
3. LexML Brasil