Objectives: This study intends to provide a reference to the public health agency's assessment regarding the approach to and feasibility of establishing the professional licensure of hospital administrator. Methods: This study conducted a mail survey in the year 2000 aimed at the chief executives and/or their deputies of all accredited hospitals (total 486 hospitals excluding those no longer in operation). 224 responses were received resulting in a response rate of 46.1%. Results: Hospital executives are generally in favor of establishing a licensing system for hospital administrators due to its beneficial effects and the professionalism it reflects. Moreover, a majority of the executives indicated that they would give preference to licensed hospital administrators in their recruitments. With regard to the feasibility of such system, most executives believe that such licensing system should be established and administered by the Department of Health; the system should not exclude non-licensees from practicing hospital management; the licensees should be broadly defined; the renewal of licenses should be based on continuing education; a written examination should be made mandatory to obtain a license; and the license should be a three-tier system. Also, most executives believe that there should be rules governing the necessity of hospital administrators and one administrator per 100 beds is warranted. Conclusions: From the point of view of hospital executives, there is a special organizational need for hospital administrators that are manifested from the respect for professionalism and the desire for higher competency. Therefore, it behoves the relevant agency to establish this licensing system with serious consideration based on fairness and objectivity, in order to enhance the professionalism in hospital management.