This page tells you about the standards osteopaths must meet during their training, their practice and their continuing professional development.
All osteopaths practising in the UK have completed rigorous training. Students of osteopathy follow a four or five-year degree course, during which they study anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and biomechanics. In addition they undergo a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical training. Qualification generally takes the form of a bachelor’s degree in osteopathy – a BSc(Hons), BOst or BOstMed – or a masters degree in osteopathy (MOst).
The standards of competence expected from an osteopath in their practice are outlined in the document Standard 2000 - Standard of Proficiency.
We set the standards of osteopathic education, and require qualified osteopaths to update their training throughout their working lives, a process known as Continuing Professional Development.
Osteopaths must also comply with a code of ethics, the osteopathic Code of Practice.
As well as completing the necessary training, osteopaths must also prove themselves to be in good health and of good character, and have professional indemnity insurance cover.
We are currently reviewing the Code of Practice and Standard 2000 - Standard of Proficiency and the revised standards will be published in due course and will be available on this website.
