(1)For the purposes of this Act, a qualification is a “recognised qualification” if it is recognised by the General Council under this section.
(2)Where the General Council is satisfied that—
(a)a qualification granted by an institution in the United Kingdom is evidence of having reached the required standard of proficiency, or
(b)a qualification which such an institution proposes to grant will be evidence of having reached that standard,
it may, with the approval of the Privy Council, recognise that qualification for the purposes of this Act.
(3)Where the General Council is satisfied that a qualification granted by an institution outside the United Kingdom is evidence of having reached the required standard of proficiency, or of reaching a comparable standard, it may, with the approval of the Privy Council, recognise that qualification for the purposes of this Act.
(4)The General Council may by rules—
(a)impose additional conditions for registration, or
(b)provide for any provision made by this Act in relation to conditions for registration to have effect subject to prescribed modifications,
in the case of any application for registration based on a person’s holding a qualification which is recognised under subsection (3).
(5)The General Council shall maintain and publish a list of the qualifications which are for the time being recognised under this section.
(6)Before deciding whether or not to recognise a qualification under this section, the General Council shall consult the Education Committee.
(7)When requesting the approval of the Privy Council for the purposes of subsection (2) or (3), the General Council shall make available to the Privy Council—
(a)the information provided to it by the Education Committee; or
(b)where the Privy Council considers it appropriate, a summary of that information.
(8)The Privy Council shall have regard to the information made available to it under subsection (7) before deciding whether or not to give its approval.
(9)The General Council may by rules make provision requiring the Education Committee to publish a statement indicating—
(a)matters on which the Committee will wish to be satisfied before advising the General Council to recognise a qualification under subsection (2); and
(b)matters which may cause the Committee to advise the General Council not to recognise a qualification under subsection (2).
(10)Where, by virtue of Community law a person (“the osteopath”) is to be authorised to practise the profession of osteopathy on the same conditions as a person who holds a recognised qualification—
(a)the osteopath shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as having a recognised qualification; but
(b)the General Council may, subject to Community law, require him to satisfy specified additional conditions before being registered.
(11)In subsection (10) “Community law” means any enforceable Community right or any enactment giving effect to a Community obligation.