Pd012 Working in The Uk 2012

14 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4ED
Tel +44 (0)20 7306 6666

Web www.csp.org.uk

Working in the United Kingdom
Advice for overseas qualified physiotherapists
coming to the UK
reference PD012
issuing function Practice and Development
date of issue December 2012

Working in the United Kingdom: Advice for overseas qualified physiotherapists
coming to the UK PD012 December 2012
1
Advice for overseas qualified physiotherapists coming to
the UK
Registration for physiotherapists ................................................................. 3
UK organisations relevant to physiotherapy ............................................. 3
Applying for HCPC registration .................................................................... 4
HCPC standards ...................................................................................... 4
Assessment of proficiency ........................................................................ 4
Language competence ............................................................................. 4
Outcome of the registration process ........................................................ 5
Applications from EEA citizens ................................................................. 5
EU Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of the professional
qualifications of EEA nationals ............................................................... 5
Provision of temporary/occasional services ............................................. 6
Becoming a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) ... 7
CSP support for overseas qualified physiotherapists ............................... 7
Permission to work in the UK ...................................................................... 8
Entry visas, visitors visas, and leave to remain ....................................... 8
Tier 2: Skilled worker ................................................................................ 9
Tier 4: Student .......................................................................................... 9
Tier 5: Non-EEA temporary worker / youth mobility scheme .................. 10
Dependent visa ...................................................................................... 10
Refugee health care professionals in the UK ......................................... 11
Finding work .............................................................................................. 11
Public sector (NHS) jobs ........................................................................ 11
EURES ................................................................................................... 12
Private sector work ................................................................................. 12
Using a recruitment agency .................................................................... 12
Codes of Good Practice for international recruitment ............................. 12

2
Interviews ............................................................................................... 12
Preparing for an interview....................................................................... 13
Working in the public sector ...................................................................... 13
Health checks for NHS staff ................................................................... 13
Salaries and working hours in the NHS .................................................. 14
Induction and support for new staff ........................................................ 14
Monitoring individual development and performance ............................. 15
Continuing Professional Development ................................................... 15
Frequently Asked Questions ..................................................................... 16
Additional reading ...................................................................................... 22
CSP information papers ......................................................................... 22
The National Health Service ................................................................... 22
ECCTIS .................................................................................................. 23
European Region, World Confederation for Physical Therapy
(ER-WCPT) ............................................................................................ 23
Version information.................................................................................... 23

3
Advice for overseas qualified physiotherapists coming to
the UK
Registration for physiotherapists
All physiotherapists practising in the United Kingdom, including those from
countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and overseas, are required
by law to be registered with the UK Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
www.hcpc-uk.org/
Registration confers the legal right to practise in the UK and to use the
protected titles physiotherapist or physical therapist. It is a criminal offence to
practise in the UK using either of these titles without HCPC registration.
Applications for registration must be made on the official application forms. You
can download the forms from the HCPC website, or request copies from their
international registration department.
www.hcpc-uk.org/apply/international/
UK organisations relevant to physiotherapy
The HCPC and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) are separate
organisations with different functions.
The HCPC is an independent legal body with responsibility for
registration of allied health professionals including physiotherapists.
It deals with recognition of professional qualifications; maintenance of
standards of education and continuing professional development
(CPD); return to practice (for UK registrants); conduct, performance
and ethics; fitness to practise; and protection of the public.
It also sets and audits standards for continuing professional
development (CPD).
The CSP is the professional, educational and trade union body for the
UKs physiotherapists, physiotherapy support workers, and
physiotherapy students.
It ensures that UK physiotherapists are recognised, respected and
rewarded for their essential contribution to health and social care.

4
Applying for HCPC registration
HCPC standards
There is important information on the HCPC website to help you gain
admission to, and remain on, the HCPC register. Please read it carefully:
www.hcpc-uk.org/apply/international/forms/
Guidance notes for international applicants (included with the
application forms)
Standards of proficiency for physiotherapists
Standards of conduct, performance and ethics
Standards of continuing professional development
Assessment of proficiency
The HCPC assesses the qualifying clinical education and experience of an
overseas physiotherapist applicant against its benchmark standards of
proficiency, which are set at the level expected of a newly qualified UK-
trained physiotherapist who has followed a BSc Honours physiotherapy
degree programme.
See www.hcpc-uk.org/apply/international/assessing/index.asp
The academic equivalence, scope of study and outcomes of the
physiotherapists education is investigated.
The assessment examines the whole range of skills and knowledge required.
There is no specialist registration; therefore, an applicant must demonstrate
proficiency in all the core areas of clinical practice.
If any gaps in knowledge are identified in your qualifying clinical education,
the HCPC assessors will check if these are addressed by your post-
qualification training and professional experience.
Language competence
The HCPC website
www.hcpc-uk.org/apply/international/requirements/
gives information on the requirements for proof of proficiency in English for

5
overseas applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
*
.
For EEA applicants no formal proof of English proficiency is required;
however, when you apply for a job the clinic or department manager will
normally check your language skills at your interview to ensure safe practice.
Outcome of the registration process
The outcome will be one of the following:
Acceptance on to the HCPC register
Request for further verification, or an invitation to attend for an aptitude
test. A copy of the assessment is provided, showing where the HCPC
has identified shortfalls in training and/or qualifications
Rejection. A copy of the assessment is provided, showing where the
HCPC has identified shortfalls in basic training and/or qualifications.
Applications from EEA citizens
The EEA forms one internal market governed by common rules which enable
free movement of people, goods, services, and capital. These are the four
freedoms.
A national of any EEA member state has the right to live and work in the UK
without requiring a visa or work permit; however, you cannot work as a
physiotherapist in the UK unless you are HCPC registered.
An EEA applicant for HCPC registration as a physiotherapist must be a
national (citizen) of an EEA member country and fully qualified to practise
physiotherapy in an EEA member country.
The HCPC will determine the status of applicants who have complex
nationality issues or who have trained in a third country.
EU Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of the professional
qualifications of EEA nationals
The Directive provides for mutual recognition of higher educational diplomas
awarded to EEA nationals on completion of professional education at
university level or equivalent of at least three years (or part time equivalent).

*
The European Economic Area (EEA) includes Member States of the European Union (EU),
and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Swiss nationals are also included as EEA
nationals for the purposes of HCPC registration and immigration only.

6
For an explanation of how the Directive applies to physiotherapists, see the
briefing paper on the European Region, World Confederation for Physical
Therapy website:
www.physio-europe.org/index.php?action=41
If you are an EEA applicant and your HCPC assessment shows that you
have deficiencies in any of the core clinical skill areas, you will be offered the
opportunity to make up these deficiencies, either by undertaking a period of
adaptation or by taking an aptitude test. The choice is yours; however, it can
be difficult to find a placement for a period of adaptation, so an aptitude test
may be the only option available to you.
See www.hcpc-uk.org/publications/brochures/index.asp?id=458 for
information on periods of adaptation.
Provision of temporary/occasional services
Under the terms of the Directive, an EEA national who qualified in an EEA
member country may apply for HCPC registration as a temporary or
occasional worker in the UK. Applications are considered on a case-by-case
basis. You must remain registered to practise in your home country
throughout your stay.
Applicants for temporary worker registration are not required to undergo an
assessment of proficiency.
Initial registration is for one year and it is possible to apply for renewal,
although HCPC can refuse to renew your registration if it has any reason to
doubt that the services you are providing are genuinely temporary or
occasional.
If your situation changes while you are in the UK on a temporary registration
and you wish to take a job in the UK on a permanent basis, you must apply
for full HCPC registration.
See the HCPC website for details:
www.hcpc-uk.org/apply/temporary/index.asp
Sections 4.2 to 4.5 of the European Region, World Confederation for Physical
Therapy briefing paper explain the rules for temporary migrants.
www.physio-europe.org/index.php?action=41
Temporary HCPC registrants working in the UK do not have the right to use
a UK protected title, but must use the title of the professional qualification

7
awarded in the country where they qualified, in its original language; for
example, a French national would only be eligible to practise as a
kinesithrapeute and not as a physiotherapist.
Becoming a member of the Chartered Society of
Physiotherapy (MCSP)
All physiotherapists who are registered with HCPC and have a UK address
are eligible to become members of the CSP. There is an annual subscription.
You can apply online at www.csp.org.uk/membership/join-csp
Membership benefits for physiotherapists living and working in the UK
include:
The right to use the protected title Chartered Physiotherapist and the
letters MCSP
Advice and help from the Society on professional, educational and
trade union matters to enhance your professional development and
protect your interests
Professional liability insurance cover
Access to the CSPs online CPD resources:
o the ePortfolio, to record, review, evaluate and plan your CPD
o the Physiotherapy Framework, to inform and guide your
professional development
A free copy of Frontline magazine (bi-monthly), and online access to
Physiotherapy journal (quarterly)
Full access to the Societys extensive website and online interactive
network (iCSP) which links physiotherapists around shared interests
The right to attend the Societys conferences, courses and local
network meetings
Access to the CSPs collection of learning resources and lending
library.
Visit the CSP website for further details.
www.csp.org.uk/membership
CSP support for overseas qualified physiotherapists
There are two dedicated CSP networks for overseas qualified
physiotherapists:

8
The interactiveCSP Overseas Qualified network offers support for CSP
members who qualified overseas.
www.csp.org.uk/icsp/overseas-qualified
It is a forum to share experiences with colleagues who have been
practising physiotherapy in the UK for some time and physiotherapists
relatively new to UK practice. It links to a range of helpful information for
members during their transition into the UK context.
Note: iCSP is normally reserved for CSP members only. However, if you
are currently applying for HCPC registration and would like information
and support from members who have successfully transitioned to work
in the UK, guest membership of the network may be available.
Please contact the Enquiry Handling Unit for further details:
Tel: +44(0)20 7306 6666
Email: enquiries@csp.org.uk

The CSP Global Network offers, for an annual fee, access to a range of
online information and services for physiotherapists who are not HCPC
registered and are not practising in the UK.
You must have qualified overseas and be a member of your own
national physiotherapy association (if any).
www.csp.org.uk/membership/join-csp/csp-global-network
Permission to work in the UK
If you are not a British citizen or a national of an EEA country, you will need
to apply for a visa from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) before you can enter
and work in the UK.
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/
Entry visas, visitors visas, and leave to remain
You are responsible for obtaining any necessary visa before you enter
the UK, and for requesting a visa extension if required.
It is not advisable to enter the UK as a visitor hoping to get a working visa
later.
If you have a time-limited visa, you cannot continue to work after the
leave to remain date stamped in your passport has expired.
When a work permit or visa granted under a previous system expires,
you must re-apply under the current system if you wish to stay.

9
There is currently a limit set on the number of non-EEA migrants allowed to
enter the UK to work. Applications are assessed using a points system based
on your qualifications, experience, age, previous earnings and language
competence.
You can check your potential points score online at
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator
See also
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore_oversea_immigration-application-
process.shtml
www.jobs.nhs.uk/advice/overseas_cand.html
Tier 2: Skilled worker
Tier 2 is for foreign nationals who have an offer from a sponsor employer of a
skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a UK/EEA
worker.
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/tier2-
guidance.pdf
Sponsor employers are usually trying to fill vacancies in certain geographical
areas or in professions with recognised staff shortages, so jobs in
physiotherapy are rare.
UK National Health Service (NHS) organisations are required to fill vacancies
using UK/EEA nationals if possible, before considering overseas candidates.
If you wish to try to find a sponsored job, search for job adverts including the
text: 'This role may be suitable for non-UK or non-EEA job applicants wishing to
apply for Home Office Tier 2 sponsorship'.
Tier 4: Student
This category is for adults (aged over 16) who want to come to the UK to study.
You must have proof of:
a valid confirmation of acceptance for study from an approved education
provider
acceptable English language skills
enough money to cover your course fees and living costs.
A Tier 4 visa allows you to work part time (up to 20 hours per week) during
term-time and full time during vacations. So, for example, if you are studying on

10
a full time physiotherapy Masters degree course you could look for temporary
work as a locum physiotherapist or support worker during vacations.
You will be expected to return home at the end of your course of study.
Tier 5: Non-EEA temporary worker / youth mobility scheme
The temporary worker category allows NHS organisations to employ
individuals from outside the EEA for up 24 months as part of a government-
authorised exchange programme.
The aim of the scheme is to extend a workers knowledge and skills with
experience that they cannot gain within their own country.
The youth mobility scheme (YMS) is for young people (aged 18-30) who want
to experience life in the UK. You must apply in your home country.
Under the YMS, your national government sponsors you. Countries currently
participating in the scheme are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and
Monaco.
British overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens and British
nationals overseas can also apply under the scheme and do not need a
sponsor.
You must:
either be single, or be married to (or the civil partner of) a person who
also qualifies under YMS and intends to visit the UK with you
have no dependent children under 18 years of age who will be
accompanying you
have enough money for accommodation and living expenses after you
arrive, especially if you do not have a job arranged in advance.
You may do any type of work, either as an employee, or unpaid voluntary
work. However, if you wish to work as a physiotherapist you would need
HCPC registration.
Tier 5 workers are expected to leave the UK by the end of their 24-month
stay. You may not extend the visa or apply for another visa type.
Dependent visa
If you are a close relative of a British citizen or a person already settled in the
UK, you can apply for permission to settle in the UK as their dependent.

11
If you enter the UK with a parent or a partner who has qualified as a Tier 2 or
Tier 5 worker or a Tier 4 student, you are also eligible for a dependent visa.
Providing that the main visa holder has permission to stay for 12 months or
more, a dependent will be allowed to work in the UK during their stay.
Again, you would need to apply for HCPC registration to work as a
physiotherapist.
Refugee health care professionals in the UK
The ROSE website provides information for refugee or asylum-seeking health
care professionals on getting back into employment in their area of expertise.
www.rose.nhs.uk/health-care-professionals/
Finding work
Physiotherapy posts are advertised in the CSP magazine Frontline and in the
Job Escalator section of the CSP website
www.jobescalator.com/vacancies/browse_jobs.html
Anyone can search Job Escalator for vacancies, but only CSP members can log
in, create a profile and apply for jobs online.
Public sector (NHS) jobs
There are online NHS job sites where vacant posts in all UK countries are
advertised. You do not need to be a CSP member to access any of these sites.
England and Wales: www.jobs.nhs.uk
Scotland: www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk
Northern Ireland: www.n-i.nhs.uk/index.php?link=jobs
There is a database of NHS UK hospitals, with contact details, at
www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/AcuteTrustListing.aspx
If you want a temporary locum job, enter your personal details and where you
want to work on the website www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk and you may be
contacted if a job becomes available.
Jobs in education (for example, as a physiotherapy lecturer) are advertised in:
the Tuesday edition of the Guardian newspaper www.guardian.co.uk
Times Higher Education www.times.co.uk
www.jobs.ac.uk

12
EURES
Information about working in the UK for people from within the European Union
can be found at the European Employment Service job mobility portal EURES:
http://ec.europa.eu/eures/home.jsp?lang=en
This site is not specific to physiotherapy, but does have generic information to
help EU citizens who wish to migrate to another EU county to seek work.
Private sector work
There are private hospitals, clinics, and individual private practices throughout
the UK who employ physiotherapists.
Jobs in the private sector are advertised in Frontline, on Job Escalator, and
through health care recruitment agencies.
Using a recruitment agency
There are several recruitment agencies that will help you find a locum (short
term) or a longer-term job in either the public or private sector. The CSP cannot
endorse particular agencies. Choose one that meets the good practice codes
listed below.
Codes of Good Practice for international recruitment
The Department of Health has a code of practice for NHS employers in
England and Wales involved in the international recruitment of
healthcare professionals. See the NHS Employers website:
www.nhsemployers.org/recruitmentandretention/internationalrecruitme
nt/code-of-practice/pages/code-practice-international-recruitment.aspx
Scotland has its own code of practice, but the principles are similar
and monitoring is carried out by NHS Employers.
Interviews
A reputable recruitment agency should not charge you a fee in relation
to finding you employment
If you are offered an interview, payment for your travel should be
discussed
An NHS employer should interview you in person or on a video link,
via a properly constituted selection panel, and should not rely solely on
a telephone interview

13
An NHS employer should provide you (either directly or via the
agency) with the job description for the specific post and a person
specification, plus information on the location of the post; the salary
and grading structure of the post; and training and education
opportunities
An NHS employer should provide information about their local
community, access to public services, established social networks,
available cultural support and local places of worship.
Preparing for an interview
If you are going for a job interview you will need to know about the healthcare
system in the UK, its key policies and the current issues for the profession.
Do some research on the CSP website, and also the Department of Health
website www.dh.gov.uk, particularly sections on
Evidence based practice
Clinical governance
National Service Frameworks
Patient consent
Also read recent issues of the online Allied Health Professionals bulletin to find
out more on current topics of interest:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Bulletins/Alliedhealthprofessionalsb
ulletin/index.htm
Working in the public sector
The majority of physiotherapists who practise in the UK work within the NHS
(public sector).
Health checks for NHS staff
All healthcare professionals recruited into the NHS who work directly with
patients have to undergo an occupational health medical check before
starting employment. This will include:
Clinical history and examination
Blood testing for hepatitis B and C
Declaration about the health status of all candidates

14
A chest x-ray for tuberculosis.
Salaries and working hours in the NHS
Currently, physiotherapists employed in the public sector are employed on a
national contract that sets their pay, grading and basic conditions of service
such as annual leave, sick pay, days of paid leave and hours of work.
Visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk for background information about working in the
NHS
The CSP Employment Relations and Union Services (ERUS) team provides
information and advice on NHS pay and conditions which is available to CSP
members.
Induction and support for new staff
The NHS Trust or other healthcare facility where you work will provide a
corporate induction.
Your manager and colleagues will provide an induction to the physiotherapy
service.
You may already be familiar from experience in your home country with some of
the practice issues in your new role. Other aspects may be very different.
Discussing the differences and similarities will help achieve mutual
understanding.
Your induction will ideally include:
Cultural awareness, as a two-way learning process
Information to help you settle in locally for example finding
accommodation, opening a bank account, registering with a general
practitioner (family doctor) and dentist, applying for a National
Insurance number
Introducing you to social and cultural networks - perhaps via a buddy
system (where possible from a similar cultural background) if you think
this would help you also remember to use the Overseas Qualified
iCSP network.
Other possible topics for service induction include
Terms and conditions, working arrangements, hours of work and annual
leave, uniform or dress code
Notification of absence or sickness

15
Use of office systems and equipment, Data Protection and electronic patient
records
Security
Health and Safety, risk assessment, incident reporting
Infection control, sharps protocols, etc
First aid
Safe working practices, manual handling/lifting, lone working, occupational
heath
Equalities and diversity legislation
Organisational policies and procedures, clinical governance
Patient consent, patient confidentiality
Standards of business conduct
Monitoring individual development and performance
Your manager should:
Discuss with you any service objectives relating to your job
Arrange observation periods or visits as appropriate
Once you have begun the job, arrange regular reviews of your progress.
Continuing Professional Development
All UK physiotherapists must undertake Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) in order to maintain and develop their ability to work safely and
effectively.
All employees should have equal access to CPD opportunities. Your CPD
should be linked to the nature of patient care and service provision in your
workplace.
Evidence of CPD is also linked to HCPC registration. You may need to
provide evidence that you have met HCPCs CPD standards, so you should
keep a record of all CPD activity you carry out.
The CSP provide an online CPD portfolio tool to its members which makes it
easy to document your CPD. See
www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/careers-development/cpd

16

Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 What is the difference between HCPC and CSP?
The Health and Care Professions Council, as the regulatory authority, deals
with applications for UK registration. It grants eligible physiotherapists a
licence to practise, maintains a register of physiotherapists, and has
disciplinary powers. Obtaining and maintaining a licence to practise from the
HCPC is a legal requirement.
The CSP is the trade union, educational and professional body for UK
physiotherapists, physiotherapy support workers and students. Becoming a
member is a personal decision, although 95 per cent of practising
physiotherapists currently hold CSP membership.
Q.2 What is regulation? Why is it needed?
A. Physiotherapy is regulated across the EEA and in many other
countries. Each country sets its own minimum standard of approved
qualifying education for entry to the profession. Regulation ensures standards
of proficiency, maintains competence, and protects the public. Applicants who
meet the HCPC standards are granted registration. They may use the
protected title physiotherapist and practise the profession in the UK.
Q.3 Do I get an automatic licence to practise in the UK if I trained in
another EEA country?
A. Although the EU Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of
professional qualifications is designed to facilitate free migration between
Member States, the directive allows each member country to set its own
standards for physiotherapy education to suit the particular needs of its health
care system.
HCPC reserves the right to check an applicants qualifications and their
licence to practise issued by their home Member State.
Individuals have a right to be considered and must be offered a period of
adaptation or an aptitude test if there are significant differences between their
education and what is required in the UK.

17
Q.4 Should I apply to the HCPC before I leave my own country, or apply
in the UK?
Wherever possible apply from your own country, where you will have easier
access to the documentation you need to provide, and a means of financial
support while waiting for the completion of the registration process.
Once you know the outcome of the HCPC assessment and whether it will
take you extra time to make up any deficiencies in your qualifications or skills,
you will be able to make an informed decision on what to do next.
Q.5 Do I need HCPC registration to work in the private or voluntary
sector?
A. All practising physiotherapists in the UK require registration, wherever
they are working and including voluntary workers.
Q. 6 If I come to the UK on the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme, do I still
need to obtain HCPC registration to work as a physiotherapist?
A. You will need HCPC registration (either permanent or temporary) to do
any work as a physiotherapist
It is not advisable to come to the UK and then start the registration process,
especially if you are planning a short visit.
Complete the application in your home country and find out whether a period
of adaptation (EEA applicants) or a personal programme to upgrade your
skills (non-EEA applicants) might be required, well before you leave your own
country, and take this into account.
Q.7 I dont want to waste time and money going through the application
process with the HCPC if I wont get UK registration at the end of it. Can
you advise me?
The outcome of HCPC assessment can never be guaranteed. The first step
is to complete an HCPC application. Unless you do this, HCPC cannot give
you their decision.
Q.8 Can I work as a physiotherapy support worker while I am waiting for
the HCPC application process to be completed?
A. No-one may work as a physiotherapist in the UK without HCPC
registration, but there is currently no registration requirement for support
workers, so you could work as a physiotherapy support worker while waiting
to obtain HCPC registration. The advantage of this is that you can use your
existing experience while familiarising yourself with the UK health service.

18
Some physiotherapists come to an arrangement with the hospital that offers
them a period of adaptation or skills upgrade. The hospital provides clinical
supervision for the period of adaptation, and the physiotherapist works as a
support worker for the hospital.
The two activities must be kept separate.
During a period of adaptation you will develop your physiotherapy
skills, supervised by a chartered physiotherapist.
As a support worker you will be allowed to work on delegated tasks
only.
If you are not an EEA national you will need a visa to work in the UK as a
support worker.
Q.9 I am not an EEA citizen and HCPC has rejected my application for
registration. What does this mean and what can I do next?
A. This means that, on the basis of the evidence you have provided, the
HCPC standards of proficiency have not been met.
Your best option is to try to find a UK physiotherapy manager willing to offer
you a clinical placement/ individual learning programme to bring your skills up
to the level of the HCPC standards of proficiency. You may wish to consider
working as a physiotherapy support worker while you arrange a learning
programme (see Q. 8).
If further training is required, you could apply to a UK university for a one-year
Masters programme. Entry to these professional programmes is restricted to
people with a first degree in physiotherapy. Some are open to international
students.
Contact the CSP Enquiry Handling Unit for more information on Masters
programmes.

19
Q.10 I applied for registration and was rejected. Can I appeal against
this decision?
Your letter of rejection will include details on how to appeal the decision. If
you appeal, you must have clear grounds; for example additional evidence
that supports your appeal.
Q.11 I have a Masters degree. Will this help me to gain HCPC
registration?
A. Registration is designed to ensure that the applicants qualifying
education is broadly equivalent to the UK BSc degree in terms of academic
level, scope of study and outcomes.
If entry to the profession in your country of training was via a Masters
level qualifying programme, then HCPC will assess that programme
for equivalence.
If you have undertaken a Masters programme as part of continuing
professional development (CPD) following your first degree, the HCPC
will initially assess your qualifying education, comparing the level and
the content of with reference to the HCPC Standards of Proficiency. If
they identify shortfalls they will look to see if these have been made up
through your post qualification training or experience.
Masters level programmes normally deepen knowledge in specific areas, but
remember that HCPC will check for broad coverage of all topics at the
minimum level required.
If you are an EEA national, HCPC must take account of your professional
experience as well as your qualification.
Q.12 I am a qualified physiotherapist in my own country and am applying
to a UK university to do a Masters course as part of my CPD. Do I need
HCPC registration?
A. It is essential to check with the university running the Masters course
whether you will require HCPC registration.
You will need to be registered if your course involves any contact with
patients.

20
If it is a purely theoretical degree then you may not require HCPC
registration, unless you also decide to work with patients in your spare
time, in which case you would need to be registered.
Q.13 .Can I work as a physiotherapist to offset the cost of university
fees?
A. If you are HCPC registered, in the UK on a student visa, and studying
full time (15 hours per week or more) you may work as a physiotherapist for
up to 20 hours per week, and up to 40 hours per week during vacations.
If you are a student without HCPC registration, you may work as a
physiotherapy support worker on a student visa, but not as a physiotherapist.
Q.14 How can I find a hospital willing to provide me with a period of
adaptation?
Visit the website
www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/AcuteTrustListing.aspx
for a list of hospitals, and contact the physiotherapy manager direct; or visit
www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk or www.nhscareers.nhs.uk.
Periods of adaptation can be difficult to arrange, due to pressure on job
placements from UK undergraduate students, plus a shortage of senior
physiotherapists who have the time to supervise you.
If your period of adaptation is longer than two months, hospitals may be less
able to meet your requirements.
Q.15 My country of training and my nationality are different. How does
this affect my HCPC application?
A. Ask HCPC.
Where applicants present with complex nationality issues or where they have
trained outside the EEA, the HCPC will determine the status of acquired
rights to EEA citizenship.
Q.16 I want to work as a physiotherapist in the UK to improve my
English. What should I do?
A HCPC requires non-EEA applicants to provide evidence of proficiency
in English before they will grant registration.

21
EEA applicants are not required to provide evidence, but must make sure that
their standard of English is adequate for safe practice.
You will not be given a job as a physiotherapist unless your level of English is
already sufficient to be able to treat patients.
Q.17 Im a medical doctor with an additional qualification in
physiotherapy / physical medicine. Can I work in the UK as a
physiotherapist?
The profession of physiotherapy in the UK (and in many other countries) has
developed its own unique body of knowledge. Whilst working closely with
medical colleagues, UK physiotherapists are autonomous practitioners.
The mechanism of HCPC registration for physiotherapists requires you to
demonstrate qualifications in a range of core clinical physiotherapy skills.
You are advised to contact the British Medical Association for further advice
at: www.bma.org.uk

22
Additional reading
CSP information papers
Access to some of these papers may be available to CSP members only.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Quality assurance standards. October
2012.
www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/professionalism/csp-expectations-
members/quality-assurance-standards
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Code of members professional values
and behaviour. October 2011.
www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/professionalism/csp-expectations-
members/code-professional-values-behaviour
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Scope of Physiotherapy Practice.
January 2008.
www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/professionalism/scope-practice
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Pay scales, high cost supplements and
on-call allowances in the NHS 2012/2013. April 2012.
www.csp.org.uk/publications/ip-01-pay-scales-high-cost-supplements-call-
allowances-nhs .
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Survival guide in obtaining your first
physiotherapy post. August 2011.
www.csp.org.uk/publications/survival-guide-obtaining-your-first-
physiotherapy-post
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Managing performance issues. May
2011.
www.csp.org.uk/publications/managing-performance-issues
Supervision, accountability and delegation of activities to support workers
A guide for registered practitioners and support workers. Intercollegiate
information paper developed by the CSP, RCLST, BDA and the RCN.
January 2006.
www.csp.org.uk/publications/supervision-accountability-delegation-activities-
support-workers-guide-registered-pract
The National Health Service
NHS Choices. The NHS.
www.nhs.uk/NHSENGLAND/THENHS/Pages/thenhshome.aspx
Applies specifically to NHS England.

23
NHS Choices. NHS core principles.
www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/nhscoreprinciples.aspx
NHS Choices. The NHS Constitution.
www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/NHSConstitution/Pages/Ov
erview.aspx
ECCTIS
Europe Open for Professions
Information for EEA nationals wishing to practise a regulated profession in
a Member State other than the one in which they obtained their
professional qualification.
www.europeopen.org.uk/Home/
European Region, World Confederation for Physical Therapy (ER-
WCPT)
Information on migration of physiotherapists within the EEA
www.physio-europe.org and click on the menu item Migration Information

Version information
Title: Working in the United Kingdom
Version: 3.0
Author: Birgit Mueller-Winkler MCSP and Pat Olver
Last updated: December 2012
Revision date: December 2014

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