In short
An ethics CPD course matters for a chiropractor under GCC investigation because the GCC’s Code of Professional Practice says you will be asked to show that your conduct, performance and decision making were informed by its principles and standards, and the Investigating Committee must consider the evidence you send before it decides. Our Probity & Ethics GCC ethics course, the CPD course Ethics and Ethical Standards for Chiropractors, works through the Code’s ten principles: 2 CPD hours, £79 (£50 with Bulk Buy 10), with a certificate on completion. With a written reflection, it supports your response to the concern, and the same hours go into your GCC CPD summary.
Under GCC investigation?
The GCC has shared a concern about a care plan, a claim, consent, or a boundary with a patient or a colleague, and invited your response.
Building your GCC CPD?
You want ethics CPD tied to a principle of the Code, with a reflection for your CPD summary.
Why the Code makes an ethics course matter
The GCC’s Code of Professional Practice, published on 31 December 2024, took effect on 1 January 2026. Two lines in it explain why ethics CPD carries weight under investigation. First, the Code says that in fitness to practise procedures its values, principles, standards, glossary and supplementary guidance are all considered, and that the chiropractor will be asked to demonstrate that their conduct, performance and decision making were informed by them. Second, it says an unintentional breach of a standard, or a slight one, is unlikely to amount to unacceptable professional conduct.
So the question is not only what happened, but whether you can explain your decisions against the Code and show you now apply it. A response that names the standard engaged and sets out what has changed reads differently from a general apology. Standard C16 also asks you to cooperate promptly and fully with any formal investigation into your own conduct or performance.
Which GCC concerns an ethics course fits
In chiropractic the person who proposes a plan of care is also paid for it, and the Code addresses that directly. An ethics course fits a concern about:
- Principle A, patients first: a patient who felt pressured to accept your advice, or was not involved in decisions about their care (A2, A3);
- care plans and payment: Standard C10 asks you to set the clinical plan of care separately from any payment plan, with a clear contract and refund arrangements for unused care;
- conflicts of interest: Standard C9 says your clinical judgement must not be prejudiced by any personal, financial or commercial interest;
- claims and advertising: Standard C5 asks that information be factual, verifiable and not misleading;
- Principle E, boundaries: a boundary crossed with a patient or a colleague, including a dual relationship.
Our guide to GCC courses for a GCC concern and CPD maps every principle of the Code to a course.
Where your course and reflection are read
The GCC reviews a concern, then shares the details with you so that you can respond. The case goes to the Investigating Committee, an independent committee of chiropractors and lay members, which decides whether there is a case to answer. Its decision-making guidance says it must consider any evidence the registrant provides before deciding, and may weigh any admissions when it considers giving advice. Your written response is the first place a certificate and a reflection are read.
If the case is referred, the Professional Conduct Committee or the Health Committee holds a formal hearing. The GCC’s Guidance on Sanctions treats insight as separate from remorse, and looks for evidence that a chiropractor has taken steps to put things right or to prevent similar problems arising in future. Admissions made late may carry less weight, which is the reason to start early. The full steps and sanctions are in our GCC courses guide above.
What the GCC ethics course covers
Eight sections, a reflective quiz after each of the first seven, and a post-course assessment. It covers the core ethical principles in manual therapy, the GCC Code and how the GCC handles complaints, candour and honest advertising, consent for treatment plans and care packages, conflicts of interest, boundaries with patients and colleagues, and the investigation process and remediation.
When a different course fits better
If the GCC’s letter uses the word honesty or dishonesty about a record, a claim or a declaration, Probity for Healthcare Professionals answers Principle C more closely. If the concern is about your conduct rather than how a decision was reached, Professionalism and Professional Standards for Chiropractors is the pair to this course. For a concern about a boundary with a patient or a colleague alone, our professional boundaries course guide sets out the options. Unsure? See which course do I need.
Counting it as GCC CPD
Each CPD year the GCC asks you to undertake and record at least 30 hours of CPD, of which 15 hours or more must be learning with others, with direct and immediate interaction. You keep a personal learning plan, write a reflection specific to each activity, and complete your summary online by 31 August. This self-paced course counts as learning on your own: 2 CPD hours towards the 30, not the 15. See our ethics CPD course guide.
Please note
This guide is general information, not legal advice. No course decides the outcome of a case. Speak to your defence organisation, indemnity provider or union before you send anything to the GCC.
The course for a GCC investigation, and for CPD
For chiropractors
Ethics and Ethical Standards for Chiropractors
The GCC Code applied to chiropractic: care plans, conflicts of interest, claims, consent, boundaries and candour. Probity & Ethics is CPD certified and accredited by The CPD Certification Service (provider no. 13197).
- £79 (£50 with Bulk Buy 10)
- 2 CPD hours
- Certificate on completion
Courses that sit beside it
Bulk Buy covers the £79 courses: 3 for £200, 5 for £300, 10 for £500. Not sure what to take? Book a free 15-minute call or see every guide on complaints and hearings.
The CPD courses linked from this guide, Ethics and Ethical Standards for Chiropractors, Probity for Healthcare Professionals, Professionalism and Professional Standards for Chiropractors and Financial Integrity for Healthcare Professionals, 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.
Questions and answers
Why does a GCC ethics course matter for a chiropractor under investigation?
The GCC Code says a chiropractor in fitness to practise procedures will be asked to show their decision making was informed by the Code. A CPD course on the Code, with a reflection on your case, helps you show that.
Does the GCC tell chiropractors to complete a course?
No. The GCC does not direct registrants to any course. A course is your choice, to show you understand the principle engaged.
When does the Investigating Committee read what I send?
Before it decides. Its guidance says it must consider any evidence you provide before it closes the case, gives advice, adjourns or refers it for a hearing.
Does the course count towards my GCC CPD?
Yes, as learning on your own: 2 CPD hours towards the GCC’s 30, not the 15 hours of learning with others, with a reflection specific to the activity.
Is one ethics course enough for a GCC investigation?
Not on its own. The GCC’s sanctions guidance looks for insight and steps taken to prevent a repeat, so add a reflection and evidence of changed practice.
Sources
This guide is based on the following GCC pages, read on 8 November 2026.
