'Registered' written on a CV is not the same as being on the register. Every UK clinical regulator publishes a free, public, searchable register — and checking it takes about two minutes. This is the single most important pre-employment check you can make, and as regulation tightens, 'they seemed qualified' stops being a defence. Here's how to verify, regulator by regulator.
What you're actually checking
- That the person is on the register at all (the name + registration/PIN number match).
- That their registration is current and unrestricted (no conditions, suspensions or removals).
- That any required annotation is present (e.g. independent prescribing, specialist register).
- That the registration covers the role you're hiring for.
Where to check — by regulator
| Profession | Regulator | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Nurses, midwives, nursing associates | NMC | nmc.org.uk — search the register |
| Doctors | GMC | gmc-uk.org — the medical register |
| Dentists & dental care professionals | GDC | gdc-uk.org — search the registers |
| Vets & veterinary nurses | RCVS | findavet.rcvs.org.uk |
| Optometrists & dispensing opticians | GOC | optical.org — check the register |
| Physios, paramedics & other AHPs | HCPC | hcpc-uk.org — check the register |
How to do it (the two-minute version)
- 1Ask for the candidate's full name and registration/PIN number at application stage.
- 2Open the relevant regulator's register search (above) and look them up.
- 3Confirm the name and number match, the status is current, and there are no conditions or suspensions.
- 4Check any annotation you require (e.g. V300 independent prescribing for an aesthetic nurse).
- 5Keep a dated record of the check for your files.
Why it matters more in 2026
Under England's new aesthetics licensing scheme, a growing share of treatments may legally only be performed by registered healthcare professionals — and operating outside the rules can be a criminal matter. Verifying registration isn't admin; it's risk management.
The faster way
Doing this for every applicant is the right thing to do — and a real time cost when you're sorting forty CVs. The Practice Standard verifies every candidate's registration against the relevant regulator before they ever reach you, so your shortlist is people who are already cleared to do the job. Hire verified, not hopeful.
Always use the official regulator register as the source of truth; third-party listings can be out of date. Annotations and restrictions are shown on the official register entry.