HCPC Guidelines on Conduct and Competence: What They Mean for Your Registration
Most HCPC registrants know there are standards of conduct, performance and ethics. Fewer realise how many other HCPC guidelines shape whether they can stay on the register. Standards of proficiency set what you must be able to do in your profession. CPD standards decide whether you pass an audit. Health and character declarations decide what you must tell the regulator, and when. Together, these HCPC guidelines cover competence as much as conduct. This guide explains each set of requirements, what the HCPC expects from you at registration and renewal, and how to stay on the right side of them.
What Are HCPC Guidelines?
HCPC guidelines are the standards and guidance the Health and Care Professions Council publishes to set out what registrants must know, do and declare. They sit alongside the standards of conduct, performance and ethics and cover competence, learning and registration.
The HCPC standards page lists four sets of standards: conduct, performance and ethics; proficiency; continuing professional development; and education and training. It also publishes guidance on meeting the standards in practice. The conduct standards are covered in our separate guide, so this post focuses on the rest.
How the HCPC Guidelines Fit Together
Each set of HCPC guidelines does a different job. The table below shows what each covers and when it matters most.
| HCPC Guideline | What It Covers | When It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Standards of proficiency | What you must know and be able to do in your profession | Joining the register and throughout practice |
| Standards of CPD | Five standards for continuing professional development | Every renewal, especially if audited |
| Health and character declarations | Changes that may affect fitness to practise | Applying, renewing and at any time |
| Guidance on meeting our standards | Practical guidance on topics such as social media and confidentiality | Day-to-day practice |
Standards of Proficiency
The standards of proficiency are the HCPC's threshold standards for safe and effective practice in each profession. According to the HCPC standards of proficiency page, they set what registrants must know and be able to do when they start practising, and registrants must continue to meet them for their scope of practice.
There are separate standards for each of the 15 professions the HCPC regulates. The latest revisions took effect on 1 September 2023, and the HCPC reviews them every five years. A concern about competence is usually assessed against these standards.
CPD Standards and Audits
The HCPC sets five standards for continuing professional development. Registrants must keep an up-to-date record of their CPD, show a mix of relevant learning, aim for CPD that improves their practice and benefits service users, and present a written profile if asked.
The HCPC audits a random sample of each profession at every renewal. If you are selected, your profile covers the previous two years. The HCPC also states that if a profile appears not to be your own work, the assessment will stop and the matter will be investigated under the fitness to practise process. Courses from Probity & Ethics provide downloadable certificates you can add to your CPD record.
Health and Character Declarations
You must tell the HCPC about changes to your health or character that might affect your fitness to practise. The HCPC asks for these declarations when you apply and, through a professional declaration, when you renew.
The duty does not wait for renewal. If something changes at any time, you have a personal responsibility to self-refer. HCPC data shows self-referrals were the largest known source of concerns in 2023-24, with 496 cases. Our guide to HCPC investigations and what happens next explains how a self-referral is handled.
Guidance on Meeting the Standards
The HCPC publishes practical guidance to help registrants apply its standards in everyday work. Topics include:
- Communication and using social media
- Confidentiality
- Raising concerns, openness and honesty
- Record keeping
- Reflective practice
- Scope of practice
Social media is a common source of conduct concerns. The HCPC reminds registrants that its standards require them to communicate appropriately and effectively, online as well as in person.
Conclusion
HCPC guidelines reach well beyond the conduct standards. Your registration also depends on meeting the standards of proficiency for your profession, keeping a CPD record that would pass audit, declaring relevant health and character changes and following the HCPC's practical guidance. Review each set regularly, keep your CPD evidence organised and self-refer promptly if something changes. If a concern has been raised, explore our HCPC remediation courses to build targeted, certified learning.
Key Takeaways
- Which course should I take for an HCPC clinical competence concern? Our Clinical Competence course is written for this, for HCPC registrants, and follows the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics; pair it with a written reflection that names the standard engaged.
- Will a course help my HCPC investigation? A course is evidence of insight and remediation, which the HCPC case examiners or Investigating Committee look for — strongest with a written reflection and changes in your practice. No course can guarantee an outcome.
- When should I send the certificate and reflection to the HCPC? With your written response, before the HCPC case examiners or Investigating Committee decide — or before an HCPC final hearing or a review if the case has gone further.
- Can I finish the course before my deadline, and is it CPD accredited? Yes — it is online and self-paced with a certificate on completion, and CPD certified and accredited by The CPD Certification Service, counting towards your HCPC CPD record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main HCPC guidelines?
The main HCPC guidelines are the standards of conduct, performance and ethics, the standards of proficiency, the standards of continuing professional development and the standards for education and training. The HCPC also publishes guidance on meeting the standards, covering topics such as social media, confidentiality and record keeping.
What are HCPC standards of proficiency?
Standards of proficiency are the HCPC's profession-specific standards for safe and effective practice. They set what registrants must know and be able to do. There are separate standards for each of the 15 professions the HCPC regulates, and the latest revisions took effect on 1 September 2023.
How does the HCPC CPD audit work?
The HCPC audits a random sample of each profession at every renewal. If selected, you must present a written CPD profile covering the previous two years, which must be your own work and supported by evidence. Following HCPC guidelines on CPD records makes an audit much easier.
When must I make a health and character declaration?
You declare health and character information when you apply and through a professional declaration when you renew. If your health or character changes at any time in a way that might affect your fitness to practise, you must tell the HCPC straight away through a self-referral.
Does the HCPC have social media guidance?
Yes. The HCPC publishes guidance on communication and using social media as part of its guidance on meeting the standards. It reminds registrants that the standards require them to communicate appropriately and effectively, and it provides case studies showing how social media use can affect practice.
This guide is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact a specialist regulatory solicitor or your medical defence organisation.
The CPD courses linked from this guide, Professionalism and Professional Standards for HCPC Regulated Health & Care Professionals and Professionalism and Boundaries in Use of Social Media, are by Probity & Ethics, written by Dr Shehzad Iqbal, CPD certified and accredited by The CPD Certification Service (provider no. 13197) and offered since 2020.
