The information on this page applies to those who have been removed from the Register following a fitness to practise case.
If you came off the Register by different means, you’ll need to apply for readmission
What is restoration of title?
‘Restoration of title’, or ‘restoration’, refers to the process of rejoining the Register after you have been removed following a fitness to practise case.
This process applies if you have received a Strike Off Order (‘been struck off’) or entered into a Voluntary Removal Agreement as part of a fitness to practise proceeding against you.
The restoration process also applies if you have been struck off the Register but wish to join it as member of a different profession.
To apply for restoration, there are certain requirements you must meet, which are explained below. Please read these carefully if you intend to make an application.
We also recommend you read our Restoration Practice Note, which is used by Panels at restoration hearings to aid in decision-making.
You can only make one restoration application every 12 months. After two unsuccessful applications, the Panel may issue a direction preventing you from applying again. Please read the information on this page carefully if you intend to apply.
How to apply
Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria below, which includes completing an 'updating period'. You'll need to fill out the relevant return to practice form to give us information about the updating you've done.
Contact the HCPC FTP team and state that you would like to apply for restoration of title. Email ftp@hcpc-uk.org including your full name, date of birth, former registration number and which part of the Register (profession) you are applying for. You can also call us on +44 (0)800 328 4218.
Eligibility and requirements
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You can use the restoration process if you have received a Strike Off Order (‘been struck off’) or entered into a Voluntary Removal Agreement as part of a fitness to practise case against you.
You can also use the process if you have been struck off but wish to join the Register as member of a different profession.
If you make two unsuccessful applications for restoration, the hearing Panel may decide you are not eligible to make further applications.
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You are eligible to apply for restoration of title when five years have passed since your removal from the Register. (We cannot consider applications that are made less than five years after your removal.)
You can only make one restoration application every 12 months.
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Our return to practice requirements set out that applicants need to spend a period of time updating their skills and knowledge (an ‘updating period’), because they have been off the Register for 5 or more years. The updating period helps show that they have the skills and knowledge to rejoin the Register.
The updating period should be 60 days in total. We consider 1 day to be equivalent to 7 hours.
Your updating period must be completed within one year of your restoration hearing date. We recommend that you complete it before your hearing: if your application is granted, you would be able to rejoin the Register more quickly.
If the Panel are not satisfied you have completed sufficient updating before the hearing, the Panel may refuse your application or only grant you 'conditional restoration' (meaning you need to complete certain requirements before you can be restored).
The time you spend updating your knowledge and skills can be a combination of:
• Supervised practice – this means practising under the supervision of a professional who is from the same part of the Register as you are applying for
• Formal study – this is a period of structured study which is provided by a person or organisation
• Private study – this is a period of study which you structure yourself, and it cannot make up more than 30 of your 60 days
You'll need to record the period of updating on your return to practice forms. The relevant form must be countersigned by a professional who is from the same part of the Register as you are applying for.
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If you make an application, you'll need to provide evidence to support it. This should be done in advance of your restoration hearing.
Your evidence should, where possible, be relevant to your previous fitness to practise case(s) and demonstrate:
- That you have improved your conduct, character or competence accordingly
- How the fitness to practise issues have been remediated
- How you will manage the potential risk presented by those issues if you are restored to the Register
Application forms
The restoration process
- You send the HCPC FTP team your details, your return to practice forms and your request to apply.
- Your case will be assigned to a Case Manager. The role of the Case Manager is to prepare your case for the hearing.
Please note that your Case Manager will not be able to provide advice on your application’s quality, readiness or likelihood of success. As the applicant, it is your responsibility to prove that you should be restored to the Register. - Your Case Manager will email you to explain what happens next, and invite you to provide evidence to support your application in advance of the hearing.
It is your responsibility to provide your Case Manager with this. Some types of evidence you may wish to consider submitting include:
- your return to practice forms;
- continuing professional development (CPD) activities;
- reflective pieces;
- character references;
- employment history; and
- any other relevant information or evidence to support your application.
Your Case Manager cannot provide individual advice on the type of evidence you should submit to support your application. Seeking independent advice from a legal representative, professional body or union is recommended. - Your Case Manager will ask the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) to make arrangements for your restoration hearing. The HCPTS will contact you to arrange a suitable date and format (in-person or virtual). You, and any representative you have, will be invited to attend.
- Your restoration hearing will take place. This can last up to two days. Attending is not mandatory, but we advise that you do, so that you can give evidence to the Panel if requested.