Legal

The title Chartered Physiotherapist is a protected title and can only be used by Human Physiotherapists who have completed a BSc Honours degree in Physiotherapy (or legal equivalent) and are registered with the Health Professions Council (HCPC).

The Health Professions Council is a regulatory body that regulates Physiotherapists in the UK and monitors training, professional behaviour and standards and demands active regular continuing professional development. They can strike individuals off the register for not complying with standards and prosecute individuals who call themselves Chartered Physiotherapists when they are not.
More details can be found at HCPC.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for Physiotherapy. A Chartered Physiotherapist would therefore have MCSP (Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) after their name.
More details can be found at CSP.

The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) is a Clinical Interest Group of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

The title 'Veterinary Surgeon' the title 'Animal or Veterinary Physiotherapist' is not protected. Unfortunately this means anyone can call themselves an animal physiotherapist regardless of their qualifications. The CSP, ACPAT and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons are working hard to change this. The title 'Chartered Physiotherapist' is protected by law and can only be used by physiotherapists who have achieved a high level of academic and practical training in all aspects of physiotherapy and are consequently qualified and registered to practice.

It is also important to note that the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) stipulates that animals can only be treated by a Veterinary Surgeon or someone authorized by a Veterinary Surgeon. Therefore it is a legal requirement for a Chartered Physiotherapist to gain consent from the animal's Veterinary Surgeon prior to treatment.

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