Who are the healthcare professional registration bodies?
By Gemma Raw
For many health sector jobs, you must be registered with certain professional bodies, as well as having relevant qualifications. We can help with advice on required registrations and on registration procedures for both UK-qualified practitioners and those who qualified outside the UK.
Here are some of the key registrations necessary, categorised by role:
Mental Health
Psychiatrists
To practise psychiatry in the UK, you must be licensed and registered with theGeneral Medical Counciland be a member of theRoyal College of Psychiatrists.
Clinical psychiatrists must also be registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Psychologists
Anyone wishing to practise as a psychologist in the UK must register with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC). There are also other professional organisations you can join voluntarily, including theBritish Psychological Society.
RMNs, RNLDs and CPNs
You must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). If you qualified in the UK, you will receive automatic registration on completion of the application form and payment of the appropriate fee. Nurses who qualified outside of the UK are individually assessed for registration.Find out more here.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapists
The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) is the leading UK professional body for CBT practitioners.
Allied Health
Occupational Therapists
Anyone looking for work as an occupational therapist must be registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Physiotherapists
Practising physiotherapists must be registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC). In addition, theChartered Society of Physiotherapyoffers chartered status for qualified physiotherapists, with full and associate memberships available.
Speech and Language Therapists
Speech and language therapists must be registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC). TheRoyal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK, providing leadership and setting professional standards.
Dietitians
Practising dietitians must be registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC). TheBritish Dietetic Association (BDA)is a trade union and professional body representing the professional, educational, public and workplace interests of members.
Health Science Services
Biomedical Scientists
Biomedical scientists must be registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can also become a member of theInstitute of Biomedical Science, which is the UK professional body for biomedical scientists.
Clinical Scientists
To practise as a clinical scientist in the UK, you must be registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC). TheAssociation of Clinical Scientistsassesses trainees as a preliminary to registration with HCPC.
Medical Lab Assistants
Registration with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC)is not essential to work as a medical lab assistant. However, many employers insist on candidates being registered.
Imaging
Radiographers, Mammographers, Sonographers and Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Registration with theHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC)is mandatory for anyone wishing to work in any of these roles in the UK. TheSociety and College of Radiographersis a trade union and professional body representing the professional, educational, public and workplace interests of members.
Radiologists
To practise as a clinical radiologist in the UK, you must be licensed and registered with theGeneral Medical Counciland be a member of theRoyal College of Radiologists.
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