Registration Options

Audiology in the United Kingdom is a profession with many titles. Over the years, we have had Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers, Clinical Scientists, Audiological Scientists, Hearing Therapists, Audiologists, Medical Technical Officers and Assistant or Associate Audiologists to name a few. As a profession, Audiology is within Healthcare Science. The various titles and qualifications complicate professional registration, because there are different routes to qualification, as well as different registration bodies to consider.

At present, there are two registration bodies in the United Kingdom:    

•  Academy for Health Care Science (AHCS) incorporating Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP) (Voluntary) 
  
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (Statutory)

Why Register?

Registration provides evidence of qualification and the individual’s ability to practice. It also indicates the boundaries of the profession (Scope of Practice). Registration provides a mechanism to monitor standards of care to ensure patient safety through:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Fitness to Practise procedures

Which registration body should I register with?

This is not an easy question to answer. It is an individual choice that depends on the type of qualification, as well as the level of clinical experience and preferred work environment. Below is a flowchart which can be followed when determining a route to registration.