Showing you are registered

We receive a lot of queries from registrants wanting to know whether they should use letters after their name, whether the term ‘state registered’ means anything anymore and whether they can use the HPC logo on stationary and advertising. We have therefore put together this mini guide for your information

New Rules
When the Health Professions Council took over from the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) in July 2003 State Registration ceased to exist. There was then a two year window for those who were not registered with the CPSM to apply to come onto the HPC register via a process called ‘grandparenting’. This window closed on 8th July 2005. On this date the professional titles alone became protected by law, meaning that it was now illegal to use a protected title without being on the HPC register, and HPC had the power to prosecute anyone who did.

State Registered
‘State registered’ or SR is the term that was used to describe health professionals registered with our predecessor body, the CPSM. While it was possible for anyone to use one of the regulated titles, such as ‘chiropodist’ or ‘physiotherapist’, it was illegal for someone to say they were ‘state registered’ if they were not on the CPSM register. State registration was the requirement for health professionals working within the NHS but was voluntary for those in private practice. However since the introduction of the new legislation (the Health Professions Order) in 2001, the term is now redundant and should no longer be used.

Chartered
This term refers to physiotherapists who are a member of their professional body, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. By law, you don’t need to be chartered in order to practise as a physiotherapist; however you DO need to be on the HPC register. To say that you are chartered means that you have met the standards set by the professional body, but these are not the same legal standards as set by the HPC. If you are chartered, you must still be registered with the HPC to use the title physiotherapist.

While it is not obligatory to join your professional body to practise your profession, many employers still require their staff to be a member of their professional body, which is at the employer’s discretion. The role of the professional body is very different from our role as the regulator, and there are many professional benefits from being a member of your professional body.

What about using letters after my name?
In 2002 HPC carried out independent market research to find out what the public understood about professional titles, letters after names and terms such as ‘state registered’ and ‘chartered’. We found that people were confused by letters, and could not distinguish between genuine qualifications such as a degree and those that were not. What people did understand and trust however were straightforward and recognisable titles such as ‘chiropodist’.

What should I call myself?
We would recommend that you use your professional title on its own, for example ‘dietitian’ or ‘radiographer’. This is what our research has shown to be best understood by the public, and is why the titles are now legally protected. Our advertising tells people that only registered health professionals can use a protected title.

We would also discourage the use of phrases such as ‘registered with the HPC’ or ‘HPC Registered’ as this implied that HPC registration is a choice instead of a legal requirement. We do however understand that it might be necessary for some registrants to indicate their registration in such a way.

Can I use the HPC logo on advertising or stationary?
The Council has agreed that the HPC logo should only be used by the Council and for HPC business. This means that no-one outside the HPC can use the logo. This includes using our logo for advertising, business cards or on personal publications/websites. The reason for this decision is to ensure our message is consistent and that we are not seen by the public to be endorsing individual health professionals or practices.

However we do recognise that some registrants will want to advertise the fact that they are registered with us. To this end we are working with the Communications Committee to develop an image that points members of the public towards our on-line Register so they can check for themselves whether a health professional is registered. The HPCheck website is a mini website we launched at the end of last year designed to make it easy for members of the public to check their health professional is on our Register.

Advertising in local directories
We are aware that there are still instances where unregistered practitioners are listing themselves under protected titles in local directories. As the law protecting titles only came into effect on 9th July last year, some directories were printed before the July deadline and were therefore placed legally. We have been working closely with the marketing and legal departments of both Yellow Pages and Thompson Directories, to try to ensure that individuals do not advertise or list themselves under protected titles unless they are registered with the HPC. It is a long and difficult task as the directories need to create new headings under which non-registered individuals can advertise. We are trying to move things forward as quickly as possible and ask for your patience in the matter.

What can I call myself if I am a student, an assistant or retired?
We don’t have student registration, so you are not entitled to use a protected title until you are admitted to our Register (after you have finished your education programme). You can of course say that you are currently studying to become a registered health professional (e.g. studying to become a biomedical scientist). Assistants aren’t currently registered and don’t have protected titles. Assistants are welcome to call themselves an assistant health professional e.g. an assistant radiographer, but must make it clear that they are working as an assistant.

We understand that many people want to retain links with their profession after they retire, however being on the HPC Register implies that you are currently in practice and fit to practise. We therefore encourage people who have retired to come off the Register and to stop using the protected title. This will become more of an issue as we introduce CPD. If you can’t prove that you are keeping up to date with your profession, you will not be able to renew your registration. However, if you still work occasionally or part-time, you will need to be registered.