HCPC registration and renewal requirements – what about indemnity?

Many ARCS members will be registered with the HCPC either as a Biomedical Scientists or a Clinical Scientist; One of the HCPC requirements for registration is having a level of indemnity cover (insurance) that is appropriate for your practice.

This requirement was introduced by the UK Government as part of implementing European Union legislation, so that if a service user is harmed in some way because of the negligence of a registrant, the service user will be able to recover any compensation they may be entitled to. The professional indemnity arrangement applies to all registrants and to all aspects of professional practice, and any professional indemnity must provide appropriate cover.

Each profession renews at a set time. These times are the same every two years

Next renewal window dates:

Clinical scientists                 1 Jul 2027     30 Sep 2027

Biomedical scientists           1 Sep 2025    30 Nov 2025

At renewal of HCPC registration, registrants must complete a declaration that a professional indemnity arrangement is in place. This is a condition of HCPC registration – if you are unable to complete the declaration you will be unable to renew your registration with the HCPC and will be removed from the Register.

This requirement does not mean that all registrants need to take out separate professional indemnity insurance.

The requirement to have a professional indemnity arrangement in place can be met through one or more of the following:

• A professional indemnity arrangement through your employer. Many registrants will be employed, for example, in the NHS, or in the independent sector, where their employer will indemnify them or they will have made their own professional indemnity arrangements.
• A professional indemnity arrangement as part of being a member of a professional body, trade union or defence organisation.
• A professional indemnity arrangement obtained directly through an insurer.

Many registrants will already meet this requirement and will not need to take any additional action. If you only work for an employer, then your employer is very likely to have professional indemnity arrangements in place which will provide appropriate cover for all the relevant risks related to those activities that you perform as part of your job.

If you are self-employed you need to make sure that you have put in place your own arrangements for professional indemnity. Many registrants who undertake self-employed work will already have a professional indemnity arrangement in place and need not take any additional action.

The requirement applies to all professional practice, including any voluntary work you carry out. If you practise your profession as a volunteer, you will need to make sure that you have a professional indemnity arrangement in place which provides appropriate cover for this part of your practice.

Some professional bodies, trade unions and defence organisations offer professional indemnity cover as part of their membership or for an additional fee. Alternatively, you can arrange your own cover directly through an insurer. ARCS do not offer professional indemnity to its members, as our main role is to support the training and education of reproductive scientists. We have looked to find partner associations that might support an indemnity offer, but since most members will not need to seek separate indemnity, this has not been viable.

Other requirements you need to confirm when making a professional declaration, are that you have:

• Continued to meet the HCPC’s standards of proficiency for the safe and effective practice of your profession
• Have not had any change relating to your good character
• Not had any change relating to your health which may affect the ability to practice safely and effectively; or
• Have continued to meet the HCPC’s standards for continuing professional development

More details can be found on the HCPC website

Although unions may not provide the indemnity cover that you require, they can provide support and legal advice. If you aren’t a union member, you might want to consider joining one: you never know when you might need their support. Selecting a union is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong union to join; you should consider what they can offer you and decide which best meets your needs. The two most popular unions operating in the healthcare industry are UNISON and UNITE. Being a member of a union gives you a range of benefits, from legal and welfare services to financial help for education and training. Members can also get discounts on a range of financial services plus special payments on death, accident or fatal accident.

Unions can provide advice on health and safety issues at work, including issues with bullying and stress at work. There will be local union representatives who, where necessary, can refer cases to the regional union office. In order to qualify for legal assistance from the union you will need to have been a member for a specified time prior to the incident that led you to seek help, and be up to date with union subscriptions. Subscriptions will vary and may be based on your salary.