Consultation on proposed changes to osteopath registration fees

is consultation is about ensuring that osteopathy continues to benefit from strong, independent and financially sustainable regulation that protects patients, supports professional standards and helps the profession respond to future opportunities and challenges.

Council is seeking views on:

• The level of the registration fee increase (£50, £75 or £100 per year).
• Whether or not the fee increase should be applied equally across the board.
• Whether or not there should be a larger fee increase for practising osteopaths to limit the increase on those entering the profession and/or who are non-practising.

Our registration fees have never before been increased and, in fact, were reduced between 2012 and 2014. Fees were reduced from £750 to £570 and have remained unchanged ever since despite inflation, rising operating costs and increasing demands on healthcare regulators.

This consultation is exploring increasing registration fees by the amounts we believe we require to ensure our financial stability into the future. We have a full financial annex which you will also find under the consultation documents section and this gives detailed explanations and information about the financial aspects.

Professional healthcare regulation exists to protect patients and maintain public confidence in the healthcare professions.

As the dedicated statutory regulator for osteopathy, the GOsC focuses on regulating and developing the profession. This enables us to develop expertise in osteopathic practice, education and professional standards, ensuring that regulation reflects the needs of both patients and the profession.

Registration fees support the work we do to:

• Maintain the Register of qualified osteopaths.
• Set and uphold standards of practice, conduct and ethics.
• Approve and monitor osteopathic education and training.
• Investigate fitness to practise concerns fairly, independently and proportionately.
• Support patient confidence in the profession through effective regulation.

ouncil has not made a final decision on the level of the fee increase; or whether or not this increase should be across the board or for example if practising osteopaths should pay a larger increase than new graduates and non-practising osteopaths

This consultation is an opportunity for everyone with an interest in osteopathy to share their views on the proposals before Council reaches a final decision.

We encourage everyone with an interest including all osteopaths, osteopathic students, patients, education providers, employers, the professional body and other partners to participate.
Every response received will be considered as part of the decision-making process.

Please note: the consultation is now closed.

We want to hear from you, but remember you can skip any questions in the consultation that are not relevant to you.
The deadline for responses to this consultation is Thursday 29 October 2026

You can send us your views by:

• using this online consultation form
• Completing this Word version and emailing your responses to the consultation questions to: info@osteopathy.org.uk

6 August 2026: Consultation opens
29 October 2026: Consultation closes
November 2026: Consultation responses analysed and considered by Council
February 2027: Council decision published
Early 2027: Draft Rules prepared and agreed with the Department of Health and Social Care
Likely May 2027: New Rules come into force (subject to approval)