Regulator or Association
What is the difference?

Regulatory Body

•  Acts in the interest of the public and has processes open and accountable to the public and the profession

•  Independent of professional bodies

•  Promotes the process of regulation

•  Administers a single register of practitioners who meet agreed criteria.

•  Works with the profession to agree and oversee minimum standards.

•  Sets requirements for generic continuing professional development (CPD)

•  Publishes codes of conduct and/or ethics

•  Has a 'council' or governing body which includes lay and professional representatives

•  Has published complaints & disciplinary procedures

•  Provides information to the public about the therapy and what to expect.

•  Liaises with government and other organisations when required.

•  Operates Fitness to Practise procedures to remove practitioners from the register

Association/Professional Body

•  Acts in the interest of the Profession

•  Independent of the regulatory body

•  Promotes and supports the practitioners and the profession

•  A membership organisation of professional practitioners

•  Ensures members meet its own standard's which are at least those required by the regulatory body but may exceed them.

•  Many professional bodies provide information on insurance for members

•  Ensures members meet requirements for CPD.

•  Have codes for members, which would be at least that required by the regulatory body

•  May also have a council or governing body with lay representation

•  May also have complaints & disciplinary procedures

•  If necessary will liaise between practitioners and the regulatory body in the case of a complaint.

•  Provide information to the public.

•  Ensures courses cover the core curriculum.

•  Some professional bodies are linked to specific schools so would run and develop courses. Others hold lists of suitable schools.

•  Professional bodies may also liaise with other organisations and government, but not as the 'voice' of the discipline.

•  May operate their own Fitness to Practise procedures for their own membership