This section is for applicants who have previously been on the Register and would like to re-join it
Not all individuals can use this process to rejoin the Register. Please review the below information and ensure you choose the right route.
There are three different processes for rejoining the Register. The process you use depends on how and when you left the Register:
- Short readmission
Use this if you left the Register under one month ago, unrelated to a to fitness to practise proceeding - Readmission
Use this if you left the Register over one month ago, unrelated to a fitness to practise proceeding (this includes individuals who are returning to practice)
- Restoration of title
Use this if you were removed from the Register following a fitness to practise proceeding
The readmission and short readmission processes are managed by the HCPC’s Registration team. The restoration of title process is managed by the HCPC’s Fitness to Practise team.
How to apply for readmission
If you would like to make an application for readmission, you'll need to check you meet our requirements below.
If you meet the requirements, please fill in and submit in the readmission form to apply. We cannot process your application without this.
Requirements
To apply for readmission, there are certain requirements you must meet which are explained in the tabs below.
You can maximise the likelihood of your application being approved by reading these carefully and undertaking the necessary updating work before applying.
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You may need to spend a certain amount of time updating your skills and knowledge before being readmitted to the Register. This is a ‘return to practice requirement’ intended to ensure that registrants are safe to practice.
The amount of updating you need to undertake (‘period of updating’) depends on how long you have been out of practice for.
- 0 to 2 years out of practice – no requirements
- 2 to 5 years out of practice – 30 days of updating
- 5 or more years out of practice – 60 days of updating
Your period of updating must take place within 12 months* of your application. You must complete any period of updating before submitting your application.
* There are currently some exceptions to this. Please see Our requirements if you are returning to practice for information.
If you undertake a period of updating, you must complete a return to practice form and submit it with your readmission application. The form provides evidence that you have spent the required number of days updating your skills and knowledge.
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The activities you undertake to update your skills and knowledge should be a combination of:
- Supervised practice - this means practising under the supervision of a professional who is from the same part of the Register you are applying for
- Formal study - this is a period of structured study which is provided by a person or organisation
- Private study* – this is a period of study which you structure yourself
* Private study cannot make up more than 50 per cent of your required time
You do not need to carry out updating of all three types.
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We will check the information you send us to see that you have completed the required number of days. We may contact you or the organisations or individuals that you work for to get more information, or to check the information that you have provided.
For example, if you carried out supervised practice, we will look at our Register to check that your supervisor is registered with us and does not have any fitness to practise action against them.
We may also contact the organisation that provided your formal study, to check that they have a record of your attendance, that you have completed the course, and how many hours/days the course was.
Please submit your form to registration@hcpc-uk.org.
Readmission or return to practice?
If you need to complete an updating period, you're making a 'return to practice' application. There are different requirements for this (and different guidance). Return to practice applicants need to submit:
- A return to practice form to evidence their activities (see above)
- A readmission form (see above)
If you don't need to complete an updating period, you're making a 'readmission' application. Readmission applicants need to submit:
- A readmission form (see above)
Learn more in the return to practice section
What happens after I apply?
After you've emailed us your forms, your application for readmission will be reviewed by our Registration team, usually within 10 working days.
If your application is successful, we will let you know via email.
You will be asked to pay a registration fee, otherwise known as the readmission fee. This is a non refundable payment of £290.90 and includes the first year (or part year) of registration.
Once you have made payment, you will be readmitted to the Register and able to practise; an email will be sent to you to confirm this.
If your application is refused, we'll set out the reasons for the refusal and the steps you could take to address them in an email. We'll invite you to continue your application by addressing the reasons.
For a tiny minority of readmission and return to practice applications, you may find your application is rejected. The criteria for this usually relates to character, and mean you cannot be reconsidered. Applicants rejected on these grounds do not have the option to appeal.
Understanding convictions and cautions
FAQ - account and payment issues
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This can be caused by a number of factors. One or more of the changes below should resolve it.
1. Add ‘noreplyregistration@hcpc-uk.org' to your safe senders list on your email client. Go to hcpc-uk.org/activate and request another temporary password.
2. Go to the activation page (hcpc-uk.org/activate), enter the same email address and use the ‘Change email and activate’ button (this can re-trigger the system notifications).
3. Go to the activation page (hcpc-uk.org/activate), enter a new email address and use the ‘Change email and activate’ button.
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This can be caused by a number of factors. One or more of the changes below should resolve it.
1. Make sure you are using the most recent temporary password you were sent. Each time a password is generated, the previous one becomes invalidated. This will mean it is rejected. If you’ve generated multiple passwords, make sure there is no chance that the correct one is still on its way.
2. Follow the link in the activation email itself. This is a unique link with information that communicates with your account settings. You won’t be able to activate your account wihtout clicking it.
3. Open the activation link using a browser that is not Google Chrome. To do this, right click the link (or tap and hold) and select ‘Copy link address’. Then paste it into a new browser.
4. Go to the activation page (hcpc-uk.org/activate), enter the same email address and use the ‘Change email and activate’ button.
5. Go to the activation page (hcpc-uk.org/activate), enter a new email address and use the ‘Change email and activate’ button.
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This can be caused by a number of factors. One or more of the changes below should resolve it.
1. Make sure you’ve activated your account before logging in. If this is your first time logging in, or your first time logging in since 2020, you’ll need to go to hcpc-uk.org/activate and complete the steps.
2. Re-activate your account: go to the activation page (hcpc-uk.org/activate), enter the same email address and use the ‘Change email and activate’ button (this can re-trigger the system notifications)
3. Re-activate your account with a new email address: go to the activation page (hcpc-uk.org/activate), enter a new email address and use the ‘Change email and activate’ button
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This will mean that you can’t receive your verification code via SMS. You won’t be able to complete your two-factor authentication, so you'll need the number on your account to be updated.
This can only be done by a member of our Registration team. Please contact registration@hcpc-uk.org with full details as soon as possible. We will need your name, address and date of birth to identify you, and your new phone number.
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There can be some delays to receiving the verification text message. This can range from one to six hours.
If you've waited six hours without success, contact registration@hcpc-uk.org with your registration number, and explain the issue. Please include information about the steps you’ve followed, so that our team knows what has been tried. Ask for details on how to make your readmission payment by bank transfer.
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Unfortunately, we can’t provide confirmation of receipt for documents, due to the volume we receive every day. We will process your details within 10 working days or less. When processed, we will email you to let you know that you can make your registration payment.
Once we have processed your details, you’ll be able to log into your online account and make the payment. The confirmation email isn’t required to make the payment.
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Once we have processed your details, you'll be able to make your registration payment through your online account. We'll send you an email confirming this.
An email or payment link isn't needed to make the payment.
If you haven't logged in to your online account before, you'll need to activate it first.
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To access direct debit payment options for a registration payment, you’ll need to add (or re-add) your direct debit details to your account.
You can do this under ‘My Details’.
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Payment processing times are determined by your bank, and can take up to 3 working days to be received by our system. The processing time depends on your bank, the type of transaction and whether service is affected by a weekend or bank holiday.
Please allow enough time for the transfer to be made fully.
If you have made your payment and urgently require assistance, please contact registration@hcpc-uk.org with full details and a confirmation if possible.
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If you've tried the above steps without success, contact registration@hcpc-uk.org with your registration number, and explain the issue.
Please include information about the steps you’ve followed, so that our team knows what has been tried.
Contact us
If you have questions about this process, please contact the Registration team on 0300 500 4472 or email registration@hcpc-uk.org.
