How we protect the osteopathic title
The following information is available in Welsh: Diogelu’r teitl osteopathig
Part of our role as regulator of osteopathy in the UK is to protect the title ‘osteopath’ from being used by anyone who is not on our Register, and therefore not legally allowed to practise osteopathy in the UK.
When a person uses the title ‘osteopath’ it should demonstrate that they are on our Register, and a trained and qualified healthcare professional with up to date skills and knowledge, held to high standards of practice and with professional indemnity insurance.
This means that members of the public and patients seeking treatment from an osteopath can be assured they are seeing a registered healthcare professional who is fit to practise osteopathy.
We take protection of title seriously. Unregulated professionals using, or aligning themselves to the title ‘osteopath’, present a risk to patient safety and undermine the reputation of the whole profession.
Strengthening our protection of the title
In 2025 we ran a pubic consultation to seek views on our plan to request amendments to the Osteopaths Act 1993, to provide further protection for patients and the public from misuse of the title ‘osteopath.’ We are aware of a rapidly growing trend of individuals not registered with the GOsC, using terms that are closely related to the term ‘osteopath’.
These terms such as ‘osteopathic techniques’ or ‘osteopathic manipulation’ are being used in promotional material targeted at patients and the public, and this could give the impression that these individuals are osteopaths. Read more about this now closed consultation or download the consultation document to find out more.
The legislation
The Osteopaths Act 1993 allows us to investigate concerns about misuse of the title. Section 32(1) makes it a criminal offence for a person who is not registered with the GOsC to describe themselves, either expressly or by implication, as any kind of osteopath.
S32(1) applies to the United Kingdom and lists, in particular, the following protected titles:
- osteopath
- osteopathic practitioner
- osteopathic physician
- osteopathist
- osteotherapist
How we protect the title
We focus on cases that present a risk to patient safety and public protection. We also adopt a proportionate response if we hear allegations that the title of osteopath is being misused.
Our Protecting the osteopathic title enforcement policy statement explains in detail how we decide to take action against individuals who are not on our Register but who call themselves osteopaths. The policy also includes examples of where we have successfully prosecuted individuals not on our Register, including:
- a non-registered person calling themselves an ‘equine osteopath’
- a non-registered person implying they are an osteopath on their website
- a person continuing to call themselves an osteopath after they have been removed from the Register.
Our policy also requires us to:
- always seek to reclaim the costs of a criminal prosecution if the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty
- always seek publicity for every successful prosecution.
We can issue what are called ‘cease and desist’ letters and, in the most serious of cases where it is in the public interest, we can take out private prosecutions against individuals. Potential breaches of Section 32 of the Osteopaths Act 1993 can be raised with the GOsC by emailing: regulation@osteopathy.org.uk
If you suspect that an unregistered person is claiming to be an osteopath, please tell us – we explain in more detail what to do on our Protecting the title 'osteopath' page.
Working with the Advertising Standards Authority
Both the GOsC and the Advertising Standards Authority are concerned about individuals who either use the title osteopath, or align themselves to the title osteopath, when they are not registered with the statutory regulator. We both consider this to be misleading for the public and potentially places patients at risk of harm. We published a joint message about this in January 2026.
If a complaint is made to the ASA it will be considered to see if there are issues which might be addressed where the advertising is having the effect of misleading the public about the status, qualifications and experience of those providing the services.
The ASA have the powers to ban advertising that is misleading or irresponsible. Concerns about advertising used by unregulated individuals can be raised with the ASA directly.
Who is the Advertising Standards Authority?
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the UK’s independent frontline regulator of advertising across all media, including advertisers’ claims on their own websites and social media spaces. Its role is to ensure ads are legal, decent, honest and truthful both by undertaking proactive projects, and by acting on complaints to take action against misleading, harmful and offensive advertisements. The ASA administers and enforces the rules set out in the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code).
