Misuse of title

Each of the professions we regulate has one or more “designated titles”. These titles are protected by law. This means that anyone who uses a designated title must be on our Register.

Article 39(1) of the Health Professions Order 2001 makes it a criminal offence for a person, with intent to deceive (whether clearly or by implication) to:

• say that they are on the HCPC Register;
• use a designated title to which they are not entitled; or
• say falsely that they have qualifications in a profession we regulate.

The words “by implication” mean that an unregistered person may be committing an offence even if they do not use the designated title directly (for example, if they describe the service they provide as “chiropody” or “physiotherapy”).