Registration of osteopaths

Conditional registration.
4
1
Subject to the provisions of this Act, any person who satisfies the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) shall be entitled to be registered as a conditionally registered osteopath.
2
The conditions are that the application is made in the prescribed form and manner during the transitional period and that the applicant—
a
has paid the prescribed fee;
b
satisfies the Registrar that he is of good character;
c
satisfies the Registrar that he is in good health, both physically and mentally;
d
satisfies the Registrar that for a period of at least four years (which need not be continuous) he has spent a substantial part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of osteopathy;
e
if required to do so by the Registrar in accordance with rules made by the General Council, passes—
i
the prescribed test of competence; or
ii
such part of that test as the Registrar may specify; and
f
gives the required undertaking.
3
In the application of subsection (2)(d), in relation to any person, no account shall be taken of any work done by him before the beginning of the period of six years ending with the opening of the register.
4
The General Council may by rules provide for the conversion, in prescribed circumstances and subject to the osteopath concerned complying with such conditions (if any) as may be prescribed, of conditional registration into full registration.
5
Unless it is converted into full registration in accordance with the rules, any conditional registration shall cease to have effect—
a
at the end of the period of five years beginning with the opening of the register; or
b
where a shorter period has been specified by the Registrar in accordance with subsection (10) in relation to the osteopath in question, at the end of that shorter period.
6
In dealing with an application for registration made during the transitional period by a person who—
a
cannot meet the requirement of subsection (2)(d), but
b
has a qualification in osteopathy which, while not being a recognised qualification, has not been refused recognition by the General Council,
the Registrar shall refer the matter to the Education Committee.
7
Where a reference is made to the Education Committee under subsection (6), it shall be the duty of the Committee to advise the General Council.
8
If, after considering the advice of the Education Committee, the General Council is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so, it shall direct the Registrar to disregard subsection (2)(d) in relation to the application in question.
9
For the purposes of subsection (2)(d), the question whether the applicant has spent any part of his working time in the lawful, safe and competent practice of osteopathy shall be determined in accordance with such rules (if any) as may be made by the General Council.
10
In this section—
- “required undertaking” means an undertaking that the person giving it will, before the end of the period of five years beginning with the opening of the register or such shorter period as the Registrar may specify in relation to the applicant—
  1. complete such additional training and acquire such experience as may be specified by the Registrar in accordance with rules made by the General Council; and
  2. comply with such other conditions (if any) as may be imposed on him by the Registrar in accordance with such rules; and
- “transitional period” means the period of two years beginning with the opening of the register.
11
Rules made by virtue of paragraph (b) in the definition of “required undertaking” in subsection (10) may, in particular, provide for the Registrar to be able to impose, as a condition, the passing of a test of competence specified by the Registrar.
S. 4 wholly in force at 9.5.1998; s. 4 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 42(2)(4)(5); s. 4 in force for certain purposes at 1.4.1998 by S.I. 1998/872, art. 2(1)(b); s. 4 in force at 9.5.1998 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1998/1138, art. 2(b)