FAQs

What do you need to know?

When will practitioners be able to register?

From mid January 2009, via CNHC’s website, which will give full details of the application process. We would encourage as many people as possible to register electronically – it will be both cheaper and quicker.
If you do need a hard copy application form please contact CNHC on 0845 121 1929 after 19 January 2009.

Why should I register with CNHC?

Registration with CNHC will be seen as the ‘gold standard’ for complementary healthcare practitioners. Members of the public will quickly realise the advantage of having a single source of information confirming that a healthcare professional has met CNHC’s standards for safe practice. Other healthcare professionals will also use the register as a kite mark of quality when considering referrals to a complementary healthcare professional.

Should I continue to belong to a Professional Association?

CNHC strongly recommends to all its registrants that they also belong to a Professional Association (PA), as membership of a PA offers a range of services for the benefit of their members.

How does the CNHC differ from my Professional Association?

The CNHC is a regulatory body, whose main function is public protection by setting standards for safe practice. The main function of a Professional Association is support for its members.

How much will it cost to register with CNHC?

The non returnable application fee will be £15 when applying via the website and £25 when applying through the post. The registration fee will be £45 per annum. The application fee relates to the cost of the process of assessing the application, regardless of outcome. The two elements have been separated out, as not all applications will necessarily lead to registration.

Can I register more than one discipline?

Yes, once the standards for that discipline have been met and there is a Profession Specific Board (PSB) in place for that discipline.

How long will my registration last?
The registration period will be for one year from the point of registration. For those with several registerable entries, the renewal date will be annually on the date on which the first discipline was registered

Can any complementary healthcare practitioner sign up?

There will need to be a Profession Specific Board (PSB) for that discipline in place before a practitioner can register. The PSB will confirm the standards required for that discipline. Students will not be eligible until they have satisfactorily completed their qualification(s).

Which disciplines are already on board?

Nutritional Therapy and Massage already have PSBs in place and standards which meet CNHC entry requirements. A number of other professions will be establishing PSBs in the near future.

How do I contact my PSB to find out what the standards are for my discipline?

Details will be available on this web site shortly.

How can a discipline form a PSB if one does not already exist?

CNHC expects the initiative of forming a new PSB to come from the profession concerned. We would expect the process of choosing members for the PSB to be demonstrably inclusive, even if some Professional Associations choose to decline to be involved.