Multidisciplinary bodies

Are complementary and alternative therapies regulated?

As it stands there are very few complementary and alternative therapies that are subject to statutory regulation within the UK. However, when searching for and selecting a practitioner it is important to know your personal safety and health are in the hands of a suitably qualified individual who is working to good standards of practice.

Whilst practitioners are under no legal obligation to do so, they can opt to register with a self-regulating professional organisation. Usually, organisations such as these will have developed their own set of eligibility requirements which all potential members must meet before they can join.

Generally, the requirements will differ somewhat between organisations, but most will stipulate that individuals must provide proof of a minimum level of training and experience, and also that they must agree to abide by the association's code of ethics and complaints procedure.

What is a multidisciplinary body/organisation?

Here at Therapy Directory, we have seen either proof of a relevant qualification and insurance cover, or proof of registration with a professional body from all of our members. We accept various professional organisations, some of which cover just one single therapy, and others which act as multidisciplinary bodies and regulate numerous professions.

Multidisciplinary bodies A-Z

Below you can find some of the multidisciplinary bodies for complementary and alternative therapists within the UK, including information about the professions they cover and eligibility requirements. Whilst we endeavour to keep this information up to date, it is subject to change so we recommend that you visit the individual websites for full details. This list is not exhaustive.

Association of Physical and Natural Therapists (APNT)

This multidisciplinary organisation was established in 1986 with the primary aim of representing practitioners of complementary medicine who are highly trained and experienced.

The association invites practitioners qualified in the following therapies to join; massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupressure and body realignment.

There are five different membership categories of the APNT:

• Student membership - For members who are undertaking a course.
• Associate membership - Open to non-practicing therapists.
• Affiliated membership - Open to therapists who are not APNT qualified but who have satisfied the Executive Committee with their knowledge, experience and competence.
• Full membership - Open to individuals who have passed the APNT examinations or have satisfied the grandfather clause laid down by the British Massage Therapy Council, which exempts therapists with three or more years of experience from professional training requirements.
• Corporate membership - For organisations wishing to support the Association.

The association also have their own Code of Ethics and complaints procedure by which members must abide.

Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

The CNHC is a government-backed professional organisation set up to regulate the following complementary therapies:

• Alexander technique teaching
• aromatherapy
• bowen therapy
• healing
• hypnotherapy
• massage therapy
• microsystems acupuncture
• naturopathy
• nutritional therapy
• reflexology
• reiki
• shiatsu
• sports therapy
• yoga therapy

The purpose of the CNHC is to both protect the public from untrained and inexperienced practitioners, whilst also endeavouring to work with complementary therapy professionals to maintain and improve standards within the industry.

The CNHC is also there to provide support to the practitioners themselves, through setting standards (in line with National Occupational Standards) and by providing information and advice regarding courses, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and insurance services.

In terms of eligibility criteria, the CNHC have developed a set of standards for each discipline they regulate, and will only allow individuals who have met these standards onto the register. The criteria stipulate that practitioners must have undertaken an appropriate level of training and acquired an adequate level of skill and experience.

Where possible, the Department of Health has recommended that individuals always consult with a CNHC-registered practitioner where possible.

Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)

The Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) is a leading professional association for complementary, beauty and sports therapists operating within the UK and Ireland.

The complementary therapies regulated by the federation include; acupuncture, Alexander technique, aromatherapy, Bowen technique, crystal therapy, homeopathy, naturopathy, reflexology, reiki, various types of massage and yoga therapy.

The FHT aims to promote the efficacy and benefits of complementary therapy whilst also ensuring that the public is protected from unqualified practitioners.

The federation offers various membership categories including the following:

• FHT Fellow - The highest level of membership that is only bestowed upon members who can show evidence of outstanding contributions within both the FHT and their therapy industry. 
• FHT Member - This membership level is open to practitioners who provide proof of a nationally recognised qualification, in a therapy that is accepted by FHT. All full members are required to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• FHT Associate - This membership level is open to therapists who do not wish to complete Continuing Professional Development. 
• FHT Student member - Open to individuals studying for a nationally recognised therapy qualification.
• FHT Non-practitioner - Open to individuals who are not currently practising but still wish to stay informed of any industry developments.

The federation has also developed its own Code of Ethics and Professional Practice by which members must abide if they wish to join and remain on the register.

The Guild of Holistic Therapists

The Guild runs three Professional Registers for beauty therapists, holistic therapists and nail technicians. The Guild only lists therapists who have been independently verified by the industry trade body as being suitably qualified and insured to carry out treatments safely and effectively. There are several different member categories, including the following:

• Student membership - Student membership is specifically designed for students who are currently studying and wish to obtain insurance to carry out case studies on non-paying clients (family and friends) for a select few treatments only.

• Full Member - Only qualified therapists can become full Guild members and use the letters MGBT after their names.

• Fellow Member (Guild of Holistic Therapists only) - This category of membership is for holistic therapists who hold qualifications which are on the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF).

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is a statutory regulator set up to protect the public. The HCPC currently regulate 15 different health professions: 

• arts therapists
• biomedical scientists
• chiropodists/podiatrists
• clinical scientists
• dietitians
• hearing aid dispensers
• occupational therapists
• operating department practitioners
• orthoptists
• paramedics
• physiotherapists
• practitioner psychologists
• prosthetists/orthotists
• radiographers
• speech and language therapists

All professions subject to HCPC regulation have at least one professional title protected by law, meaning that an individual wishing to use said title must be registered with the council in order to refer to themselves as such in a professional capacity. Unregistered individuals who use the protected titles may face prosecution.

To register with the council, individuals must meet certain standards set for their profession. Standards are broken down into the following categories:

• Character – The HCPC requires a character reference from everyone wishing to join the register and someone of ‘professional standing in the community’ must sign it.
• Health – Registrants must complete a health declaration to confirm that they do not have a condition that may impact their ability to practice safely and effectively.
• Standards of proficiency – These are professional standards that all registrants must meet to join and remain on the register.
• Standards of conduct, performance and ethics – The ethical framework within which all registrants must work.
• Standards for continuing professional development – Continuing professional development is any additional learning undertaken in addition to a practitioner’s original qualification. CPD is an important factor in a member's continuing registration as it ensures that practitioners continue to develop their skillset and expertise so that they can practice safely, effectively and legally.
• Standards of education and training – These are the standards by which the council assess training and education programmes to be approved.

The council have an online register allowing the public to check if their health professional is registered and there is also a stringent complaints procedure for health professionals who do not meet the HCPC standards.

Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)

The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) is an independent, public register that provides a regulation system for instructors and trainers within the sport and fitness industry to ensure that they meet the industry's agreed National Occupational Standards. 

REPs provide comfort and reassurance to the public that all health and fitness instructors listed on their website are qualified, knowledgable and in possession of the necessary skills required to deliver health and fitness training effectively.