Choose chartered
See a chartered physiotherapist and be confident of their professional knowledge and skills.
The majority of physiotherapists practising in the UK hold chartered status and maintain their membership with the CSP. Physiotherapists' chartered status and maintaining qualified CSP membership, in addition to holding current HPC registration, carries distinct benefits for patients and the public.
In short, it provides for increased levels of confidence in individual physiotherapists' professional knowledge and skills.
- Fulfilment of high standards of professional practice; as a condition of membership, individuals agree to adhere to the CSP's Rules of Professional Conduct and are expected to meet the CSP Standards of Physiotherapy Practice
- Access to a wide range of resources, support and networking opportunities; these are many and varied, but include UK-wide (and international) peer support relating to their particular clinical specialism - through CSP-recognised clinical interest and occupational groups - and support on keeping up-to-date with the latest evidence around effective practice and for continuing professional development [CPD]
- Engagement with the CSP as the UK professional body that defines scope of physiotherapy practice in the UK
- Possession of professional liability insurance.
CSP support of chartered excellence
Much of the CSP's work, as a professional body, is concerned with defining and supporting its members' professional excellence. It does this by:- Setting high standards for physiotherapy education, practice and conduct; through current work, the CSP is developing new resources in each of these areas. See more on our Charting the Future project.
- Providing supportive leadership to its members in demonstrating high standards of professionalism
- Providing individualised advice to members on matters relating to their professional practice
- Promoting and supporting the development, dissemination and application of the evidence base for physiotherapy
- Promoting the development of physiotherapy in ways that respond to changing patient and service needs.
'Physiotherapist': A protected title
All physiotherapists in the UK have to be registered with the Health Professions Council (or HPC). This is a condition of using the title 'physiotherapist' or 'physical therapist', claiming to be an active member of the profession, and practising physiotherapy anywhere in the UK (whether in the NHS or in the independent or other sectors).
The HPC is an independent, UK-wide health regulator. It currently regulates thirteen different professions, including physiotherapy.
