How to apply for, cancel, or vary conditions of registration

Independent healthcare providers have a requirement to be registered with the Healthcare Commission.

Important news about registration
Our new registration process with improved guidance for applicants and providers is now in operation. It offers providers the opportunity to declare compliance through self-assessment at registration and to submit all the information we require at the same time. This means that your application need only be submitted within 12 weeks of the date by which you need to be registered with us.

Under the new process, you must submit a CRB disclosure certificate, financial and medical reports and two references with your completed application forms. Your CRB disclosure certificate must not be more than three months old when you submit your application.

Please note: we will not accept your application for registration unless we receive all of the above items and any other required documentation listed in the application form, with your application.

To view the new guidance and forms, please click on the links above. The new process, forms and templates are now fully operational.

Application for registration, variation and cancellation forms and guidance

You should download an application form from this website. If you have any difficulties or queries, please phone one of our regional offices or contact our helpline on 0845 601 3012.

Contact details for our regional offices

The guidance provides detailed information about what providers and managers are required to do to apply for registration. It also provides information on the different types of services regulated by the Healthcare Commission.

Application for registration and cancellation forms and guidance

Do I have to register?

You are legally required to register if you are providing private or independent healthcare. Failure to do so may result in legal action. The Application for registration guidance, (see above) gives detailed information on who needs to register.

Independent healthcare regulation

Can the Healthcare Commission refuse an application for registration?

After making a full assessment, the Commission will make a decision regarding registration. The Commission can decide that registration should be:

Approved - without conditions

Approved with conditions

Refused

How much does registration cost?

Costs of regulation from 1 April 2008 onwards

Fees are payable for:

initial registration (and any subsequent variation in the conditions of registration), and
annual fees, which cover the ongoing costs of regulation.

Click on the links below to read an overview of the levels of fees from 1 April 2008, and our formal scheme of fees including their legal basis.

Regulatory fees for independent healthcare as of 1 April 2008 (pdf 144kb) (opens new window)

Fees scheme 2008 (pdf 103kb) (opens new window)

Before finalising the fee levels we held a public consultation. For a full analysis of responses received during the consultation, please contact our helpline 0845 601 3012.

More information on the consultation

Our assessment of the likely impact of each of the options that we considered can be viewed by clicking below.

Regulatory impact assessment for fees April 2008 (pdf 118kb) (opens new window)

Independent healthcare fee rebate policy

Independent healthcare providers who cancel their registration with the Healthcare Commission may be entitled to a rebate of the annual fee. Our fee rebate policy explains the process to follow in order to successfully cancel a registration. Following voluntary cancellation, fee rebates are processed automatically.

Independent healthcare fee rebate policy (pdf 44kb) (opens new window)

How long does registration take?

The registration process should be completed within eight to 12 weeks, but incomplete application forms, or failure to provide additional information may lead to delays.

Can I continue to provide a service while my registration application is being processed?

Anyone wishing to provide a private or charitably run healthcare service must be registered with the Healthcare Commission before providing services to patients. Anyone who provides a service without being registered is working outside the law and may be liable to prosecution.