How to access your online account with multi factor authentication (MFA)

Setting up MFA with the Microsoft Authenticator app

Before you start, make sure you have your computer and smartphone ready, along with a stable internet connection and access to your phone’s app store. The setup takes about 10 minutes and requires you to use both devices at the same time, so it’s best to complete it in one go without interruptions.

Step 1: Download the Microsoft Authenticator app

On your smartphone: 

• Open the app store for your device:
  • Apple App Store (iOS)
  • Google Play Store (Android)
  • Microsoft Store (Windows Phone if supported) 
• Search for Microsoft Authenticator app.
• Select the official app by Microsoft and install it.
  
  
  
  
• Once installed, set your phone aside and continue on your computer.

Step 2: Begin MFA setup on your computer

• As detailed above:
  • 1. Log in;
  • 2. Setup MFA method by clicking: 'Register authentication app'
    
    
    
    Note that if you prefer to continue with email verification, then see further instructions on the other tab named 'Continue with email'.

• When you select the app option a QR code will appear. Leave this page open on your computer, we’ll now switch to our smartphone to finish setting up the app.

Step 3: Link your account to the app

On your smartphone:

• Open the Microsoft Authenticator app.
• Select Add account (or the plus + icon) and choose Work or school account.
  
  
  
  
• Select Scan a QR code and point your phone’s camera at the QR code on your computer screen.
  
  

The app will automatically recognise the code and link your account. You’ll now see your 'HCPC' account listed in the app.

Step 4: Confirm your setup and log in

You now need to confirm the set up and check the app is working by logging in.

On your computer:

• Click Continue.
  
  
  
  
• You’ll then receive a notification on your smartphone with a 6-digit verification code on the app to approve a sign-in request.
• Enter the 6-digital code from the app from your smartphone
  
  
  
  
• Click Verify on your computer screen.

You will now be logged in to your online account. This confirms that your MFA method is working and that your account is protected with MFA.

From now on, each time you sign in, you’ll receive a notification on your phone from the Microsoft Authenticator app. Simply open the app, enter the 6-digit code each time and click Verify on the computer screen to complete the sign-in.

Continue with email

• As detailed above:
  • 1. Log in;
  • 2. Setup MFA method by clicking: 'Continue with email'
• Confirm your email address and select 'Send verification code'.
  
  
  
  
• You'll be prompted for the One-Time Password (OTP) code received via email. Open your inbox and copy the verification code from the HCPC email.
  
  
  
  
• Copy/paste the OTP code into the field provided and select Verify code. 
  
  
  
  
• Once verified, select Continue to access your account.
  
  

You will now be logged in to the system. This confirms that your MFA method is working and that your account is protected with MFA.

From now on, each time you sign in, you’ll need to request and recieve an OTP via email. Simply select the option, copy the code and then enter it into the field. You can then click Verifiy code before clicking Continue to log in and complete the sign-in.

This can happen for a few reasons. Try the following steps:

• Make sure the account has been activated. If this is the first login, or the first login since 2020, go to hcpc-uk.org/activate and complete the activation steps.
• Re-activate using the same email address: go to hcpc-uk.org/activate, enter the email address and select Change email and activate. This can refresh the system.
• Re-activate using a new email address: go to hcpc-uk.org/activate, enter a new email address and select Change email and activate. 

If these steps do not work, contact registration@hcpc-uk.org with the registration number and details of the issue. Include the steps already tried so the team knows what has been attempted.

If the device originally used for multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not available, login will not be possible until MFA is reset and installed on another device.

To resolve this, contact our Registration department with full details and they will be able to assist. If logging in via MFA is not possible, then the team will be able to set up email verification. The team will need the registrant’s registration number, name, address, and date of birth to confirm their identity. 

Sometimes there may be a delay receiving the code or approval notification from the authenticator app. Check that:

• The device has a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• Notifications for the Microsoft Authenticator app are enabled.
• The correct account has been added in the app.

If the problem continues, contact registration@hcpc-uk.org with the registration number and an explanation of the issue. Include details of the troubleshooting steps already taken.