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The Osteopaths Act 1993
The Osteopaths Act 1993

The General Osteopathic Council is charged under the Act:

'to provide the regulation of the profession of osteopathy, including making provision as to the registration of osteopaths and as to their professional education and conduct; to make provision in connection with the development and promotion of the profession; and for connected purposes.'

The Act provides the basic framework within which the regulatory scheme will operate. It defines in broad terms:

  • The duties, responsibilities and membership of the General Osteopathic Council and its four statutory Committees
  • The circumstances entitling a person to be registered and the levels of registration that are to exist
  • The "trigger points" and sanctions of the "fitness to practise machinery".

Day to day operation and function are detailed in Rules drawn up by the GOsC and submitted to the Privy Council for approval.


The Osteopaths Act 1993 is reproduced under the terms of Crown Copyright Policy Guidance issued by Her Majesty's Stationeary Office (HMSO)

Osteopaths Act under review

The GOsC is proposing changes to the Osteopaths Act 1993 (the Act) and consulted the osteopathic profession on these proposals at the end of 2005. This consultation exercise offered osteopaths the opportunity to feed into the review of the Act and its subordinate legislation, which makes up the GOsC’s procedural rules.

The GOsC commissioned an independent consultancy to receive and analyse completed questionnaires. Statistical analysis was completed in February 2006. 25% of osteopaths responded to the consultation, a significant majority of whom supported most of the proposals.. Our thanks to all those who took the time to respond. The Legislative Review 2005: Report on the Consultation will now be submitted to the Department of Health.

Protection of Title

With the passing of the Osteopaths Act (1993) the title "osteopath" is protected by law and it is a criminal offence, liable to prosecution, for anyone to claim expressly or by implication to be any kind of osteopath unless registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

The Statutory Register of Osteopaths

Only practitioners meeting the highest standards of safety and competency are eligible for entry to the Statutory Register of Osteopaths. Proof of good health, good character and professional indemnity insurance cover is also a requirement. Once registered, osteopaths are bound by a strict Code of Practice and may be subject to disciplinary procedures. Osteopaths are also committed to lifelong learning through a system of mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD).