How to register after graduation

This process applies if you have a UK qualification in osteopathy from a GOsC-recognised course and are registering with the GOsC for the first time.

You will need to submit the following:

If you do not register straight away, we would recommend contacting the Registration Team when you are ready to begin the registration process so they can outline what you will need to do. This is because there may be additional requirements depending on what you have been doing, eg if you have lived overseas or been working in a country where osteopathy is regulated.

Once we have received all your paperwork, it normally takes up to 10 working days for us to process your application.

Things to remember when applying to register

Remember to:

  • complete the declaration on the front of the application form
  • complete the Data Protection Declaration
  • read the questions on the application form carefully
  • make sure you have answered ALL the questions on the application form

The health reference must be signed by a GP in the UK or overseas who:

  • is not a relative
  • has either known you for at least four years OR who has access to your medical records from the past four years (there may be a small charge for this)

Please ensure your GP has ticked the appropriate box and has included their name on the completed health reference, otherwise the reference will be sent back to you, which will hold up the application process.

If you are not registered with a GP and cannot provide a health reference, please email student@osteopathy.org.uk to explain the circumstances which prevent you from obtaining a health reference signed by your GP.

The character reference must be completed by a person in the UK or overseas who:

  • is not a relative
  • has known you for at least four years
  • has a professional occupation
  • a professional occupation can include (but is not limited to):
    • teacher
    • journalist
    • social worker
    • medical or healthcare professional
    • accountant
    • civil servant (in a permanent role)
    • manager/personnel officer
    • solicitor
    • police officer

Please ensure that your chosen individual has completed the character reference form in full, otherwise the reference will be sent back to you, which will hold up the application process.

You must obtain an enhanced DBS check as part of your application for registration. This must have been carried out within the last six months.

However, you don’t need to get a new enhanced check if you already have one that isn’t more than six months old. The original certificate should be scanned and sent via email to student@osteopathy.org.uk

Anyone who needs one of these checks should apply through an umbrella body that is registered with the DBS, as they are unable to accept applications from individuals.

Know Your People (part of First Advantage) is a DBS registered company that manages Enhanced checks for Regulated Activity on behalf of the GOsC.

If you wish to use their services, please provide your written consent by emailing student@osteopathy.org.uk. You will also need to tell us which of the following two options you would like to take:

  1. Digital verification – verify your documents and pay for your DBS check online using the Know Your People/First Advantage secure online portal. If for any reason the digital verification does not work, your application will automatically default to the Post Office verification route which means you won’t need to start the application process again.
  2. Post Office verification – taking your verification and ID documents to the closest Crown Post Office (making sure that ‘In Branch Verification’ is the service that you are getting) to verify and pay over the counter. You will need to print the verification document yourself before going to the post office. They will scan the bar code on the verification page to validate the paperwork, then they will send Know Your People a confirmation.

Once Know Your People have received your details and your chosen verification option, they will email you with a pin number and link to their online verification system.

Follow the instructions on the screen after clicking the link to update your information before verifying your documents using either of two routes explained above. Your Enhanced check for Regulated Activity will be conducted after your documentation has been verified.

A DBS check through Know Your People costs:

  • £78.90 by Digital Verification
  • £81.00 by Post Office Verification

A disclosure certificate will be posted to you by the Disclosure and Barring Service once your Enhanced check for Regulated Activity is complete. The disclosure certificate does not need to be sent to us because we can view your completed check online through First Advantage’s secure portal.

If you have any convictions/cautions on your disclosure certificate, please email student@osteopathy.org.uk. Include a supporting statement that details the events leading up to the caution or conviction, along with a scanned copy of the original disclosure certificate. 

Once received, you may be asked to provide further information. The Registrar will take into account any convictions or warnings that are not ’protected’ in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) when assessing your application. 

The regulation of healthcare professionals is a matter reserved to Westminster and the GOsC will continue to require applicants to comply with the England and Wales criminal disclosure scheme. 

Any osteopath providing health services intended for children or adults in Scotland must be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme for the group(s) they provide their service to. This is a legal requirement.

If you are planning to work in Scotland once you are registered, you must be a member of the PVG scheme. The scheme is managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. You can find out more on the Disclosure Scotland website.

If you’re unsure about the process, please email: DisclosureAct@disclosurescotland.gov.scot

You will need to tell the GOsC who your intended insurance provider is as part of your application. You cannot start practising until your insurance policy has been activated and this will be after you have registered.

The following insurance intermediaries can offer you advice on professional indemnity insurance that meets the GOsC requirements.

As part of the registration process, you will need to pay an annual fee to join the Register. This is the slightly reduced entry level of registration fee which applies to newly registered osteopaths during their first year of practice (see Registration fees for more about the different rates). The fee is paid during the application process and can be paid in one full payment or instalments by Direct Debit (there is more information on the application form).

The osteopathic education providers send the GOsC proof of their students’ Recognised Qualifications (RQ) directly. Please ask your school to confirm that they have sent us proof of your RQ, as we have no control over when your RQ confirmation will be sent.

Please note: different osteopathic education providers have different graduation dates, therefore, the date you gain your recognised qualification will vary depending on your education provider.