Chiropractors Act 1994

Type Public General Act
Publication 1994-07-05
Last updated 2025-01-01
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API

[^key-b9fe9215fb2d5f09d4769870bc4ac21e]: Sch. 1 para. 34B inserted (26.9.2016) by Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act 2015 (c. 28), s. 6(4), Sch. para. 4(3)(a); S.I. 2016/906, reg. 2(b)

[^key-0f4a0360c4342b663a504abfdb998823]: Sch. 1 para. 38B inserted (26.9.2016) by Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act 2015 (c. 28), s. 6(4), Sch. para. 4(3)(b); S.I. 2016/906, reg. 2(b)

[^key-79fc6eb22443a16d480123061a6bb491]: S. 1(4A)(4B) inserted (26.9.2016) by Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act 2015 (c. 28), s. 6(4), Sch. para. 4(2); S.I. 2016/906, reg. 2(b)

[^key-3fc26f672c80908f032100de55c688ef]: S. 5A omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 3 (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-ebc2c4213d70233930851764712c08d5]: Words in s. 6(1)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(a) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-9f2621c41c5da243928bba9cb64dc7de]: Word in s. 6(2) substituted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(b) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-56ad5bb05cc7562400f9ec3464d3c95e]: S. 6(4A) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(c) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-b39f7b3dfd2779dc3f3ded22ceefed70]: Words in s. 6(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(d) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-227fc777bcd9e1503be0d2bf196a6b28]: S. 6(6) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(e) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-9727b70be918bc00babc39ca17170c16]: Words in s. 8(8) substituted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 5 (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-6a0f5e6d6b6a90a10834ff82446b7881]: S. 17(2A)-(2D) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 7 (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-db2db1a1d2823f813feecd66e8aef5e8]: S. 29(1)(ba) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 8 (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-87d816d85267f935c8adc7335a4d5877]: S. 29A omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 9 (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-3c0bc75cffac0061d625e9ee29b16408]: S. 37(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 10 (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-862ebb22b9c0905f8833bb340d6b3fb4]: Words in s. 43 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 11(a) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-18e95ac11778d07aad5da81afc098b6f]: Words in s. 43 substituted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 11(b) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-b92d38eaea980742987c85816b5907f1]: S. 14(2A) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 6(a) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-2e915fdc99028a40299927ea42e4e23f]: Words in s. 14(3) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 6(b) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-ff067ca7b618a19230448bd2a311cdbf]: S. 14(10) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 6(c) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-22622536e2d29769385a6479fe6c8b2f]: S. 14(11) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 6(c) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 7 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 15); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-c2c8b0c74ad1a21fb14ec773381a4741]: S. 6A inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 54

[^key-b3acfe1311774d60eaa207dcb932dc7a]: S. 14A inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 56

[^key-b1164141d3e24925263b695db9b5e0c3]: S. 19A inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 57

[^key-16aa49bd33fee4ea439677505b8e3149]: S. 29(3A) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 58(c)

[^key-150a19fd514ec7ad0790201af416c8df]: S. 29(1)(aa) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 58(a)

[^key-289df5257a64f4f0985b1eaa55ee3b7e]: Words in s. 29(3) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 58(b)

[^key-67d32de737339f9cb789a7858857a90f]: S. 3(2A)(2B) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 52(b)

[^key-f2e2a849c773c70f220e7b971150fd2d]: S. 3(2)(d) substituted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 52(a)

[^key-e4fa4d885c9b629fc56807e827d42eea]: S. 6(4B)(4C) inserted (1.12.2023) by virtue of The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 53

[^key-66beb7db9b8b831064921dd9af56cd1d]: S. 14(2B)-(2E) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 55

[^key-99000b9033fa35e3eb5619b8b02ace9f]: Words in s. 43 inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 59

[^key-a1c2018364a3d8f64d33e925627abdfa]: Act: power to amend conferred (24.5.2024 for specified purposes) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), ss. 138(2)-(7), 339(2)(c)

[^key-6cdccea08d91f077daf490da809ccbfa]: Act: power to amend conferred (24.5.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 138(2)-(7), 339(2)(c); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(2) (with Sch. paras. 10, 20)

[^key-4528b18c1b79e3256519af21c342eddf]: Words in s. 14A(1) substituted (1.1.2025) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) (Extension to Switzerland etc.) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1379), regs. 1(4), 19(2)

[^key-9a5c9079728f496e2bad8bc4619ddfbd]: Words in s. 43 substituted (1.1.2025) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) (Extension to Switzerland etc.) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1379), regs. 1(4), 19(3)

11A

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5A

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29A

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1A
  • (1) The General Council shall consist of—
  • (a) registrant members, that is members who are registered chiropractors; and
  • (b) lay members, that is members who—
  • (i) are not and never have been registered chiropractors, and
  • (ii) do not hold qualifications which would entitle them to apply for registration under this Act.
  • (2) The members of the General Council shall be appointed by the Privy Council.
  • (3) The Privy Council shall ensure that, at any time, at least one member of the General Council lives or works wholly or mainly in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1B
  • (1) An order under section 1(4) shall include provision with regard to—
  • (a) the numbers of registrant members and lay members of the General Council;
  • (b) the terms of office for which members of the General Council are appointed, and the order may provide that these are to be determined by the Privy Council, on appointment;
  • (c) the grounds on which persons are to be disqualified from appointment as registrant or lay members of the General Council;
  • (d) the appointment of a chair of the General Council and the chair’s term of office, and the order may provide that the term is to be determined by whoever makes the appointment as chair, on appointment;
  • (e) deputising arrangements in respect of the chair;
  • (f) the quorum of the General Council; and
  • (g) the circumstances in which members cease to hold office or may be removed or suspended from office.
  • (2) But an order under section 1(4) must not include any provision which would have the effect that a majority of the members of the General Council would be lay members.
  • (3) An order under section 1(4) may include provision with regard to—
  • (a) the maximum period for which a member of the General Council may hold office as a member during a specified period;
  • (b) the maximum period for which a member of the General Council may serve as chair of the General Council during a specified period;
  • (c) the education and training of members of the General Council, and the order may provide for the General Council to include the requirements with regard to education and training of its members in standing orders, and for those standing orders to provide for—
  • (i) that education and training to be the responsibility of another body, and
  • (ii) those requirements to be set and varied by that body from time to time;
  • (d) the attendance of members of the General Council at meetings of the General Council;
  • (e) the effect (if any) of any vacancy in the membership of the General Council or any defect in the appointment of a member; and
  • (f) enabling the Privy Council to appoint as the chair of the General Council, for a specified period, the person who held office as Chairman of the General Council on the day before the first order under section 1(4) comes into force.
  • (4) An order under section 1(4) may make different provision for different cases or different classes of case and may contain such incidental, consequential, transitional, transitory, saving or supplementary provisions as appear to the Privy Council to be necessary or expedient.
1C
  • (1) The General Council must establish and maintain a system for the declaration and registration of private interests of its members.
  • (2) The General Council must publish in such manner as it sees fit entries recorded in the register of members’ private interests.
1D
  • (1) In exercising its functions, the General Council shall—
  • (a) have proper regard for—
  • (i) the interests of persons using or needing the services of registered chiropractors in the United Kingdom, and
  • (ii) any differing interests of different categories of registered chiropractors;
  • (b) co-operate, in so far as is appropriate and reasonably practicable, with public bodies or other persons concerned with—
  • (i) the employment (whether or not under a contract of service) of registered chiropractors,
  • (ii) the education or training of chiropractors or other health care professionals,
  • (iii) the regulation of, or the co-ordination of the regulation of, other health or social care professionals,
  • (iv) the regulation of health services, and
  • (v) the provision, supervision or management of health services.
  • (2) In carrying out its duty to co-operate under sub-paragraph (1)(b), the General Council shall have regard to any differing considerations relating to practising as a chiropractor which apply in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
  • (3) In sub-paragraph (1), “other health care professionals” means persons regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002, other than the General Council.

The Chairman

41A
  • (1) The General Council shall publish, by such date in each year as the Privy Council shall specify—
  • (a) a report on the exercise of its functions which includes a description of the arrangements that the General Council has put in place to ensure that it adheres to good practice in relation to equality and diversity (and for these purposes “equality” and “diversity” have the meanings given in section 8(2) of the Equality Act 2006);
  • (b) a statistical report which indicates the efficiency and effectiveness of, and which includes a description of, the arrangements which the General Council has put in place to protect members of the public from registered chiropractors whose fitness to practise is impaired, together with the General Council’s observations on the report; and
  • (c) a strategic plan for the General Council in respect of such number of years as the General Council shall determine.
  • (2) The General Council shall submit copies of the reports and the plan published under subsection (1) to the Privy Council and the Privy Council shall lay copies of the reports and the plan before each House of Parliament.
30A

Where rules under paragraph 30 provide for one or more panels of members of the Investigating Committee to perform functions of the Committee, the provision required by paragraph 30(c) includes provision with regard to the quorum at meetings of those panels.

34A

Where rules under paragraph 34 provide for one or more panels of members of the Professional Conduct Committee to perform functions of the Committee, the provision required by paragraph 34(c) includes provision with regard to the quorum at meetings of those panels.

38A

Where rules under paragraph 38 provide for one or more panels of members of the Health Committee to perform functions of the Committee, the provision required by paragraph 38(c) includes provision with regard to the quorum at meetings of those panels.

34B

In exercising a function under section 8 or 22, the Professional Conduct Committee (or any panel by which the function is exercisable as mentioned in paragraph 34A) must have regard to the over-arching objective of the General Council under section 1(4A) (read with section 1(4B)).

38B

In exercising a function under section 23, the Health Committee (or any panel by which the function is exercisable as mentioned in paragraph 38A) must have regard to the over-arching objective of the General Council under section 1(4A) (read with section 1(4B)).

6A
  • (1) Where a specified state professional makes an application for full registration, the Registrar must—
  • (a) within the period of one month beginning with the date of receipt of the application—
  • (i) acknowledge receipt of the application; and
  • (ii) inform the person of any missing document required for the purposes of the application;
  • (b) give the person adequate time to complete the requirements and procedures of the application process;
  • (c) ensure that the documentary and other evidence which is to accompany applications for registration is no more than is necessary to demonstrate to the Registrar that the person satisfies the conditions in section 3(2);
  • (d) accept certified copies of documents in place of original documents, unless it requires original documents to protect the integrity of the application process; and
  • (e) deal promptly with the person’s application and notify the person of the result of the application within the period of four months beginning with the relevant date.
  • (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(d), a certified copy of a document is one which is certified to be a true copy of the original by a solicitor practising in any part of the United Kingdom.
  • (3) In subsection (1)(e), “the relevant date”, in relation to an application, is—
  • (a) the date when the Registrar receives the application; or
  • (b) if any document required for the purposes of the application is missing when the Registrar receives the application, the date on which the Registrar first has all the documents required for those purposes.
  • (4) If the Registrar makes a request for further evidence, information or documents from such a specified state professional, the period beginning with the date on which the Registrar makes that request and ending with the date on which the person complies with that request is to be disregarded in determining whether the period of four months referred to in subsection (1)(e) has expired.
14A
  • (1) This section applies where a person who holds a specified state qualification applies to be registered under section 3 and the person’s qualification is not a recognised qualification.
  • (2) This section does not apply if the person’s specified state qualification is not a recognised qualification because Condition 3 is met in relation to it (see section 14(2E)).
  • (3) Where this section applies, the General Council must specify what aptitude test or adaptation period, or aptitude test and adaptation period, must be passed or successfully completed by the person.
  • (4) An aptitude test or adaptation period specified under this section, or an aptitude test and adaptation period together specified under this section, must be proportionate to the difference sought to be addressed.
  • (5) The General Council must give a person its reasons for specifying an aptitude test or adaptation period, or both, in relation to the person under this section, if the person makes a written request for them.
  • (6) If the General Council specifies aptitude tests under this section, the General Council must ensure that such aptitude tests are scheduled with reasonable frequency and at least once a year.
19A
  • (1) The General Council must make information about the following matters available to specified state professionals—
  • (a) the relevant laws to be applied regarding disciplinary action, financial responsibility or liability and other relevant matters;
  • (b) the principles of discipline and enforcement of professional standards, including disciplinary jurisdiction and consequential effects on practising professional activities;
  • (c) the processes and procedures for the ongoing verification of competence;
  • (d) the criteria for, and procedures relating to, removal from the register;
  • (e) the documentation required of specified state professionals and the form in which it should be presented; and
  • (f) the documents and certificates issued in relation to professional qualifications or other conditions that apply to the practice of registered chiropractors that are acceptable to the General Council.
  • (2) The General Council must deal promptly with enquiries from specified state professionals about conditions that apply to the practice of registered chiropractors.

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