Osteopaths Act 1993

3Full registration

(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

(d)has a recognised qualification.

(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.

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