How to Register with the CQC: A Step-by-Step Guide for Care Providers

What is CQC registration and who needs it?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. If you want to provide regulated activities — including personal care, accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care, or treatment of disease — you must register with the CQC before you start operating.

Operating without a valid CQC registration is a criminal offence. The penalties include unlimited fines and up to 12 months in prison. There are no exceptions — you must be registered before your first service user receives care.

The two registrations you need

Most new care providers need two separate registrations: a provider registration and a registered manager registration. The provider is the legal entity (a company, a partnership, or an individual sole trader) that is responsible for the service. The registered manager is the named individual who manages the day-to-day running of the service.

In a small owner-managed service, the same person often applies for both registrations. In larger organisations, the registered manager will typically be a different person to the provider's directors or partners.

Before you apply: what you need to have in place

CQC will not register a service that isn't ready. Before you submit your application, you need:

• A Statement of Purpose — a formal document describing your service, its aims, and who it will support
• A registered address for your service that has planning permission for its intended use
• A Registered Manager who meets CQC's fit person requirements
• Your regulated activities confirmed — for example, personal care, nursing, or treatment
• Core policies and procedures covering safeguarding, medicines management, infection control, and other key areas
• Evidence that your premises are suitable, safe, and meet the relevant regulations

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the CQC Provider Portal. You will need to create an account and complete separate applications for provider and registered manager registrations. Both applications ask detailed questions about your service, your governance arrangements, your experience, and your financial viability.

The registration fee for 2024/25 is £1,522 and is non-refundable, even if your application is refused. It is crucial to ensure your application is complete and your service is genuinely ready before you submit.

How long does registration take?

CQC aims to process applications within 10 weeks of receiving a complete application. In practice, applications that are incomplete, poorly evidenced, or require a fit person interview can take significantly longer — often 16–20 weeks. Applications involving a new provider with no CQC history typically require a fit person interview before a decision is made.

Common reasons for refusal

The most common reasons CQC refuses applications include: an incomplete or inadequate Statement of Purpose; insufficient evidence of financial viability; concerns about the registered manager's qualifications or experience; inadequate premises; or significant gaps in policies and procedures. A strong application addresses all of these proactively.

How RegisterCQC can help

RegisterCQC is a purpose-built platform that walks you through every element of your CQC registration — from premises readiness and document checklists to fit person interview preparation and AI-assisted policy drafting. Our platform is built by a registered mental health nurse with direct experience of CQC inspections, designed to help you get it right first time.