Answer:

Payment of the initial registration fee secures your entry on the register for one year.  Payment of any fees to add further disciplines do not extend the length of your initial registration.

Registration fees are not  refundable and cannot be transferred to other disciplines. 

Answer:

The CNHC is not a membership organisation, it is a regulator. Its purpose is to enhance public safety, by giving the general public access to a list of practitioners whose qualifications meet national standards of competence and practice. It also provides an independent complaints procedure for members of the public.
 
The CNHC strongly encourages practitioners to be members of professional associations as well as registering with the CNHC.

Answer:

There are many complementary healthcare organisations and many do also hold registers. The role of professional associations is to support their members (your practitioner) in developing, maintaining and raising standards of practice. They also provide information to the public about the therapy concerned and many have direct links with complementary healthcare training providers. The CNHC works closely with many of these professional associations but is independent from them.
 
The CNHC is the only voluntary regulatory body for complementary healthcare which has official government backing and which provides a single point of information for the public. It is the only body which demonstrates that practitioners meet a nationally agreed standard and can use the CNHC Quality Mark.

Answer:

Any practitioner registered with the CNHC has demonstrated that they meet the standards required to use the CNHC quality mark. Click here for the information on the criteria for registration. For further information on the use of the CNHC quality mark click here.

Answer:

Yes, unless the case involved illegal activity, in which case it may also be pursued through the courts.

However, the decision will be noted on the CNHC website and the practitioner will not be able to use the CNHC quality mark. It is likely that any relevant professional associations would also remove the practitioner from their register.

Any practitioner who is removed from the register, may re-apply after five years.

Answer:

The CNHC encourages complaints to be resolved locally wherever possible. However, if a complaint does proceed with the CNHC, it may go to either a Conduct and Competence Panel or a Health Panel. In either case both sides have the opportunity to give evidence but it is not obligatory and you may have a third party present to represent you.

The Conduct and Competence Panels are held in public. So it is possible you would have to give evidence in public and with the practitioner present.

Answer:

The first thing you should do is fill in a complaints form and send it direct to CNHC.

We have a separate section on our website on all aspects of the complaints process. See How to complain for further information.

Answer: Once the Register opens to your discipline, you have 6 months to take advantage of the "Early Bird" offer.

Answer:

Answer: This will depend on (1) whether you can take advantage of an arrangement with your Professional Association, (2) whether you are able to claim an Early Bird discount, and (3) the number of disciplines or therapies you want to register. See Fee Schedule for further information

Answer:

Once you are admitted to the CNHC Register, you will be sent a certificate for public display, incorporating the CNHC quality mark. The quality mark provides an independent indication of quality to those wishing to use complementary and natural health services. You will also be able to use the quality mark on websites, promotional literature and elsewhere as confirmation to the public that you meet the standards set by the CNHC. By using the CNHC quality mark you are demonstrating to members of the general public and other healthcare providers that you conform to national standards of practice in your work. For a copy of the quality mark and further information on its use see How can I use the CNHC quality mark?

Answer:

A number of professional associations were actively involved in the work of the Federal Working Group, which recommended the establishment of CNHC as a single voluntary regulator for the complementary healthcare field. CNHC is working closely with a number of professional associations to deliver discounted fees to PA members. PA representatives are also involved in developing CNHC's work through their involvement in our Profession Specific Boards.

Answer:

The CNHC is a regulatory body, whose main function is public protection by setting standards for safe practice. The main function of a Professional Association is support for its members.

See Why register with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council for information on the key differences between regulatory bodies and professional bodies.

Answer:

Yes, CNHC strongly advises all practitioners to be members of a professional association (PA) as membership of a PA offers a range of services for the benefit of their members, including support for professional development and training, information services, insurance and so on.

Answer:

The CNHC Register opened on 19 January 2009 and is now open to a wide range of disciplines. A number of other disciplines will become eligible during 2010 - see Who can Register for further information. 

Answer:

When you register you will be sent a certificate, incorporating the CNHC quality mark, for public display, showing the details of your entry on the CNHC Register. You will also be able to use the quality mark in your publicity materials. Members of the public will also be able to use the check the Register facility CNHC's website to check that you are registered.

Answer:

Registration with CNHC will be seen as the gold standard for complementary healthcare practitioners. Members of the public will quickly be able to confirm that a complementary healthcare professional has met CNHC's standards for safe practice. Other healthcare professionals will also use the register as a mark of quality when considering referrals to a complementary healthcare professional.
 
Click here for further information on the benefits of registering with CNHC.