Guidance
UK regulated professions and their regulators
Updated 19 December 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
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This page provides details of professions regulated by law in the UK, and in parts of the UK, and their associated regulators, as defined in the Professional Qualifications Act.
What is a regulated profession?
‘Regulated profession’ is a term which is defined in the Professional Qualifications Act. It means a profession which is regulated by law in the UK or a part of the UK. ‘Profession’ includes an occupation or trade, or any subdivision and specialism within a profession. The Bill sets out that a profession is regulated by law where there is a legal requirement to have certain qualifications or experience (or meet an alternative condition or requirement) in order to undertake certain professional activities or use a protected title.
‘Regulator’ is also a defined term in the Professional Qualifications Act. It means a person with functions under legislation relating to the regulation of a regulated profession.
Regulators carry out a range of functions in relation to the professions they regulate, including making sure individuals have the necessary qualifications and/or experience to practise the profession and taking any necessary enforcement action. In some cases, these functions are carried out by a single regulator for an individual profession and in other cases the functions are distributed across several regulators.
Regulators include bodies to which regulatory functions have been delegated, where the delegation is authorised by legislation and irrespective of whether the regulator is specified in the legislation.
These definitions are set out in Clause 16 of the Professional Qualifications Act.
Which professions are regulated in the UK, and who regulates them?
The Department for Business and Trade has compiled this list after extensive engagement with departments, devolved administrations and regulators. The professions listed reflect those discussions, including on how specialisms within professions should be presented. The professions and regulators listed are those covered by the Professional Qualifications Act only.
The table will be updated to incorporate changes to regulated professions or regulators, for example if there are changes to relevant legislation that change the regulators that regulate a certain profession.
Some professions are regulated on a UK-wide basis, while some professions are regulated separately in different parts of the UK. Where a profession is regulated separately in different parts of the UK, each profession is shown as a distinct entry in the table with the regulator for that profession identified.
More than one regulator is listed for some professions. For these professions, regulatory functions are distributed across several regulators, including where one regulator has delegated a function to another regulator. There are also some professions where particular regulatory functions are delivered by different bodies in different parts of the UK, and these bodies are set out against those professions.
If you would like further information in relation to the contents of this page, please get in touch at: [email protected].
List of UK regulated professions and their regulators
Education
| Profession, Professional Activity or Protected Title | Regulator(s) |
|---|---|
| College Lecturer | General Teaching Council for Scotland |
| Further Education Teacher | Education Workforce Council |
| Level 2 Early Years Practitioner | Department for Education |
| Level 3 Early Years Educator | Department for Education |
| School Teacher | Education Workforce Council |
| School Teacher | General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland |
| School Teacher | General Teaching Council for Scotland |
| School Teacher | Teaching Regulation Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education |
| Youth Support Worker | Education Workforce Council |
| Youth Worker | Education Workforce Council |
Healthcare
| Profession, Professional Activity or Protected Title | Regulator(s) |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia Associate | General Medical Council |
| Arts Therapist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Biomedical Scientist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Chiropodist/Podiatrist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Chiropractor | General Chiropractic Council |
| Clinical Dental Technician | General Dental Council |
| Clinical Scientist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Dental Hygienist | General Dental Council |
| Dental Nurse | General Dental Council |
| Dental Technician | General Dental Council |
| Dental Therapist | General Dental Council |
| Dentist | General Dental Council |
| Dietitian | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Dispensing Optician | General Optical Council |
| Hearing Aid Dispenser | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Medical Practitioner | General Medical Council |
| Midwife | The Nursing and Midwifery Council |
| Nursing Associate | The Nursing and Midwifery Council |
| Occupational Therapist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Operating Department Practitioner | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Optometrist | General Optical Council |
| Orthodontic Therapist | General Dental Council |
| Orthoptist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Osteopath | General Osteopathic Council |
| Paramedic | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Pharmaceutical Chemist | Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland |
| Pharmacist | General Pharmaceutical Council |
| Pharmacy Technician | General Pharmaceutical Council |
| Physician Associate | General Medical Council |
| Physiotherapist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Practitioner Psychologist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Prosthetist/Orthotist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Radiographer | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Registered Nurse | The Nursing and Midwifery Council |
| Speech and Language Therapist | Health and Care Professions Council |
| Student Dispensing Optician | General Optical Council |
| Student Optometrist | General Optical Council |
Legal
| Profession, Professional Activity or Protected Title | Regulator(s) |
|---|---|
| Advocate | The Faculty of Advocates |
| Barrister | The General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland |
| Barrister | The General Council of the Bar (which has delegated its regulatory powers to the Bar Standards Board) |
| Chartered Legal Executive | Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (which has delegated its regulatory powers to CILEx Regulation) |
| CILEX Practitioner | Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (which has delegated its regulatory powers to CILEx Regulation) |
| Conveyancing Practitioner | The Law Society of Scotland |
| Costs Lawyer | Association of Costs Lawyers (which has delegated its regulatory powers to the Costs Lawyer Standards Board) |
| Executry Practitioner | The Law Society of Scotland |
| Licensed Conveyancer | Council for Licensed Conveyancers |
| Licensed Probate Practitioner | Council for Licensed Conveyancers |
| Notary Public | The Law Society of Scotland |
| Notary Public | Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland |
| Notary Public | The Master of the Faculties |
| Patent Attorney (Patent Agent) | Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (which has delegated its regulatory powers to the Intellectual Property Regulation Board) |
| Registered Trade Mark Attorney (Registered Trade Mark Agent) | Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (which has delegated its regulatory powers to the Intellectual Property Regulation Board) |
| Solicitor | The Law Society (which has delegated its regulatory powers to the Solicitors Regulation Authority) |
| Solicitor | The Law Society of Northern Ireland |
| Solicitor | The Law Society of Scotland |
Professional and Business Services
| Profession, Professional Activity or Protected Title | Regulator(s) |
|---|---|
| Administration of Oaths | Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales |
| Architect | Architects Registration Board |
| Insolvency Practitioner | Insolvency Service Northern Ireland, Department for the Economy has an oversight role in relation to the Recognised Supervisory Bodies and Recognised Qualifying Bodies, which are: Chartered Accountants Ireland, Insolvency Practitioners Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and Law Society of Northern Ireland |
| Insolvency Practitioner | Insolvency Service on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has an oversight role in relation to the Recognised Supervisory Bodies and Recognised Qualifying Bodies, which are: Chartered Accountants Ireland, Insolvency Practitioners Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland |
| Local Public Audit | Financial Reporting Council has an oversight role in relation to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales |
| Probate Practitioner (non-contentious probate) | Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland |
| Statutory Audit | The Financial Reporting Council has an oversight role in relation to the Recognised Supervisory Bodies and Recognised Qualifying Bodies, which are: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Association of International Accountants, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland |
Social care
| Profession, Professional Activity or Protected Title | Regulator(s) |
|---|---|
| Adoption Service Manager | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Adoption Service Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Adult Care Home Manager | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Adult Care Home Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Adult Care Home Worker | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Adult Care Home Worker | Social Care Wales |
| Adult Placement Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Advocacy Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Care Inspectorate Authorised Officer | Scottish Social Services Council |
| Day Care Manager | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Day Care Worker | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Domiciliary Care Manager | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Domiciliary Care Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Domiciliary Care Worker | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Domiciliary Care Worker | Social Care Wales |
| Fostering Service Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Manager in Adult Day Care Services | Scottish Social Services Council |
| Residential Child Care Manager | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Residential Child Care Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Residential Child Care Worker | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Residential Child Care Worker | Social Care Wales |
| Residential Family Centre Manager | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Residential Family Centre Manager | Social Care Wales |
| Residential Family Centre Worker | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Residential Family Centre Worker | Social Care Wales |
| Social Work Student | Social Care Wales |
| Social Worker | Northern Ireland Social Care Council |
| Social Worker | Scottish Social Services Council |
| Social Worker | Social Care Wales |
| Social Worker | Social Work England |
| Worker in a Care at Home Service | Scottish Social Services Council |
| Worker in a Residential School Care Accommodation | Scottish Social Services Council |
| Worker in Care Home Services for Adults | Scottish Social Services Council |
| Worker in Day Care of Children Services | Scottish Social Services Council |
| Worker in Residential Child Care Services | Scottish Social Services Council |
Transport
| Profession, Professional Activity or Protected Title | Regulator(s) |
|---|---|
| Able Seafarer Deck Certificate - II/5 and Able Seafarer Engine – STCW lll/5 | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Aerobatic Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Aeromedical Examiner | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Air Ground Communications Service Operator | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Air Traffic Controller | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Air Traffic Controller Assessor | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Air Traffic Controller Instructor | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Aircraft Cabin Crew | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Approved Driving Instructor | Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) |
| Approved Driving Instructor | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Approved Motorcycle Instructor (Northern Ireland) | Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) |
| Boatmasters’ Licence | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Certified Motorcycle Instructor | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Certifying Staff (Continuing Airworthiness of Aircraft) | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Commercial Balloon Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Commercial Banner Towing Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Commercial Aeroplane Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Commercial Airship Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Commercial Helicopter Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Commercial Sailplane Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Dangerous Goods Driver | Department for Transport |
| Deck Officer, Management Level - STCW II/2 and Deck Officer, Operational Level - STCW II/1 | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Deck Skipper of a Fishing Vessel and Engineer Officer of a Fishing Vessel | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Electro-technical Officer (ETO) – STCW lll/6 | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Engineer Officer, Management Level, lll/2 and Engineer Officer, Operational Level STCW lll/1 | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Flight Examiner | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Flight Information Service Officer | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Flight Instructor | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Flight Test Pilot | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Maritime Labour Convention Ships Cook | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Maritime Pilot | Competent Harbour Authorities, Trinity House |
| Professional Driver of Large Vehicles (HGV/PSV) | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Professional Driver of Large Vehicles (HGV/PSV) | Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland - Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) |
| Rating Deck (STCW II/4) Engine Room Rating (STCW III/4) Electro-tech Rating (STCW III/7) |
Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
| Rescue and Firefighting Personnel | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Road/Street Works Operative | Street Works Qualification Register |
| Road/Street Works Supervisor | Street Works Qualification Register |
| Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser | Department for Transport |
| Safety Adviser for the Transport of Dangerous Goods | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland |
| Train Driver | Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) |
| Train Driver | Office for Rail and Road |
| Transport Manager | Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain |
| Vessel Traffic Services Operator | Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport |
Other professions
| Profession, Professional Activity or Protected Title | Regulator(s) |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Department of Health (Northern Ireland) |
| Agricultural Analyst | Food Standards Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers |
| Agricultural Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
| Agricultural Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Welsh Ministers |
| Appointed Doctor | Health and Safety Executive |
| Appointed Doctor | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland |
| Approved Medical Examiner of Divers | Health and Safety Executive |
| Approved Medical Examiner of Divers | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland |
| Cash and Valuables in Transit Operative | Security Industry Authority |
| Close Protection Operative | Security Industry Authority |
| Door Supervisor | Security Industry Authority |
| Farrier | Farriers Registration Council |
| F-Gas Handler for Air-Conditioning Systems in Motor Vehicles | Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (appropriate authority), Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Natural Resources Wales (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland District Councils (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (enforcing authority), Welsh Local Authorities (enforcing authority), Welsh Port Health Authorities (enforcing authority), City and Guilds (certification body), Institute of the Motor Industry (certification body), Skills and Education Group Awards (certification body) |
| F-Gas Handler for Electrical Switchgear | Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (appropriate authority), Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Natural Resources Wales (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland District Councils (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Welsh Local Authorities (enforcing authority), Welsh Port Health Authorities (enforcing authority), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (enforcing authority), EA Technology Limited (certification body), Lucy Electric Ltd (certification body), Northern Ireland Electricity plc (certification body), National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (certification body), Western Power Distribution plc (certification body) |
| F-Gas Handler for F-Gas-Based Solvents | Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (appropriate authority), Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Natural Resources Wales (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland District Councils (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (enforcing authority), Welsh Local Authorities (enforcing authority), Welsh Port Health Authorities (enforcing authority), Fraser Technologies (certification body) |
| F-Gas Handler for Stationary Fire Protection Systems and Equipment | Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (appropriate authority), Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Welsh Local Authorities (enforcing authority), Welsh Port Health Authorities (enforcing authority), Natural Resources Wales (enforcing authority), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (enforcing authority), Fire Industry Association (certification body) |
| F-Gas Handler for Stationary Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment and Refrigerated Trucks and Trailers | Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (appropriate authority), Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Natural Resources Wales (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland District Councils (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (enforcing authority), Welsh Local Authorities (enforcing authority), Welsh Port Health Authorities (enforcing authority), Building Engineering Services Association (certification body), City and Guilds (certification body), LCL Awards (certification body) |
| Food Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care |
| Food Analyst | Food Standards Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers |
| Food Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Department of Health (Northern Ireland) |
| Food Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Welsh Ministers |
| Food Examiner | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Department of Health (Northern Ireland) |
| Food Examiner | Food Standards Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers |
| Food Examiner | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care |
| Food Examiner | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Welsh Ministers |
| Inspectors of Weights and Measures | Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland) |
| Inspectors of Weights and Measures | Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Local Weights and Measures Authorities |
| Offshore Medic | Health and Safety Executive |
| Offshore Medic | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland |
| Ozone-Depleting Substances Handler | Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (appropriate authority), Environment Agency (enforcing authority), Natural Resources Wales (enforcing authority), Northern Ireland District Councils (enforcing authority), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (enforcing authority), Welsh Ministers (appropriate authority), Welsh Local Authorities (enforcing authority), Welsh Port Health Authorities (enforcing authority) |
| Professional Diver | Health and Safety Executive |
| Professional Diver | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland |
| Professional Driver and Attendant Engaged in the Transport of Livestock, Equines and Poultry | Animal and Plant Health Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
| Professional Driver and Attendant Engaged in the Transport of Livestock, Equines and Poultry | Animal and Plant Health Agency on behalf of Scottish Ministers |
| Professional Driver and Attendant Engaged in the Transport of Livestock, Equines and Poultry | Animal and Plant Health Agency on behalf of Welsh Ministers |
| Public Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Department of Health (Northern Ireland) |
| Public Analyst | Food Standards Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers |
| Public Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care |
| Public Analyst | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Welsh Ministers |
| Public Surveillance Operative | Security Industry Authority |
| Radiation Protection Adviser | Health and Safety Executive |
| Radiation Protection Adviser | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland |
| Registered Gas Engineer | Health and Safety Executive |
| Registered Gas Engineer | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland |
| Registered Veterinary Nurse | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons |
| Security Guard | Security Industry Authority |
| Slaughterer | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland) |
| Slaughterer | Food Standards Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers |
| Slaughterer | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
| Slaughterer | Food Standards Agency on behalf of Welsh Ministers |
| Vehicle Immobiliser | Security Industry Authority |
| Veterinary Surgeon | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons |
| Waste Manager | Environment Agency and Natural Resources on behalf of Welsh Ministers |