Until fairly recently, osteopaths worked within a system of voluntary regulation that set standards of training and practice. In 1993, osteopathy became the first major complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition under the 1993 Osteopaths Act. This culminated in the opening of the statutory register of osteopaths by the General Osteopathic Council in May 1998. Only those practitioners who are trained and fully qualified are allowed on to the register. All osteopaths must have medical malpractice insurance and follow a strict code of conduct.

To check if your osteopath is registered, see the General Osteopathic Council web site.

Statutory Registration