Osteopaths Act 1993

3 Full registration. U.K.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who satisfies the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) shall be entitled to be registered as a fully registered osteopath.

(2) The conditions are that the application is made in the prescribed form and manner and that the applicant—

(a) has paid the prescribed fee;

(b) satisfies the Registrar that he is of good character;

(c) satisfies the Registrar that he is in good health, both physically and mentally; and

[F1 (d) is a person who—

(i) has a recognised qualification, or

(ii) has a specified state qualification which is not a recognised qualification and has met the requirement specified in relation to the person under section 14A.]

[F2 (2A) The General Council may require a specified state professional who wishes to be registered under this section to demonstrate that the person possesses the language skills necessary to the practice of a registered osteopath.

(2B) A language test required by the General Council under subsection (2A) must be proportionate to the level of language skills referred to in that subsection.]

(3) Where an application for registration is made during the transitional period by a person who was in practice as an osteopath at any time before the opening of the register, he shall be treated as having a recognised qualification if he satisfies the Registrar that for a period of at least five years (which need not be continuous) he has spent a substantial part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of osteopathy.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), no account shall be taken of any work done by the applicant before the beginning of the period of seven years ending with the opening of the register.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (3), the question whether the applicant has spent any part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of osteopathy shall be determined in accordance with such rules (if any) as may be made by the General Council.

(6) The General Council may by rules provide for treating a person who—

(a) has obtained a qualification in osteopathy outside the United Kingdom,

(b) does not hold a recognised qualification, but

(c) satisfies the Registrar that he has reached the required standard of proficiency,

as holding a recognised qualification for the purposes of this Act.

[F3 (6A) The General Council may by rules provide for treating a person who does not hold a recognised qualification but who, on an application made to the Registrar before 1 January 2011, satisfies the Registrar that the person—

(a) obtained a qualification in osteopathy in the United Kingdom before 9 May 2000,

(b) practised as an osteopath before 9 May 2000,

(c) has not practised as an osteopath in the United Kingdom on or after 9 May 2000,

(d) has a good reason for not having made a successful application for registration during the transitional period, and

(e) is capable of the competent and safe practice of osteopathy,

as holding a recognised qualification for the purposes of this Act.]

(7) In this section “transitional period” means the period of two years beginning with the opening of the register.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 3(2)(d) substituted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 43(a)

F2 S. 3(2A)(2B) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 43(b)

F3 S. 3(6A) inserted (9.7.2008 for specified purposes, 1.4.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1774), art. 1(3), Sch. 3 para. 2; S.I. 2008/3150, art. 3(b)(i)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 3 wholly in force at 9.5.1998; s. 3 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 42(2)(4)(5); s. 3 in force for certain purposes at 1.4.1998 by S.I. 1998/872, art. 2(1)(b); s. 3 in force at 9.5.1998 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1998/1138, art. 2(b)