Planning to start a health or social care service in England? CQC registration is not just a legal requirement—it’s your gateway to providing quality care with confidence. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about CQC registration requirements, costs, and the application process.

What Is CQC Registration and Why Do You Need It?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. CQC registration is a mandatory legal requirement under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 for anyone providing regulated activities in England’s health and social care sector.

Key Point: You cannot legally provide care services unless the CQC approves your registration. This means registration must be completed before you can start caring for clients, making early preparation essential.

Who Must Register with the CQC?

‘Service providers’ must register with CQC. A service provider can be: an individual, a partnership, or an organisation (for example, companies, charities, NHS trusts and local authorities).

You need to register if you:

• Provide or intend to provide regulated activities such as personal care, accommodation, or diagnostic services
• Operate care homes, medical practices, or domiciliary care services
• Offer services to vulnerable adults (and children in some cases)
• Provide any health or social care services on a regular or temporary basis

Important: We register the regulated activity that will be carried on – not service types or professions. This means registration is activity-specific, not profession-specific.

Essential CQC Registration Requirements: Your Complete Checklist

1. Enhanced DBS Checks (2-8 weeks lead time)

Countersigned, enhanced DBS Check for you and your Registered Manager/s – this must be less than 12 months old at the time of application. It can take around 2-4 weeks for this to be processed by the Disclosure and Barring Service, so the sooner you apply, the better.

2. Registered Manager Appointment

Some providers must have a manager who is registered with us as a condition of the provider’s registration. Most care services require a registered manager who:

• Has relevant qualifications and experience
• Demonstrates competency in managing regulated activities
• Meets the “fit person” criteria
• Can provide evidence of training in safeguarding, mental capacity, and medication management

3. Comprehensive Statement of Purpose

Your Statement of Purpose is a critical document that must include:

• What services you provide and to whom
• Your aims and objectives
• How you’ll recruit and train staff
• Your approach to safeguarding and quality assurance
• Details of your premises and facilities

We may return, reject or refuse your application if your statement of purpose does not include all the required information and match your application.

4. Essential Policies and Procedures

For the registration you need to upload five policies and procedures: Governance, Quality Assurance, Safeguarding, Medication, Infection Control. These must be:

• Specifically tailored to your service type
• Compliant with current legislation
• Properly implemented and understood by staff

5. Financial Viability Evidence

Use the financial viability statement template and include:

• Three-year financial forecasts
• Evidence of business sustainability
• Statement from a qualified accountant or financial institution
• Proof of adequate insurance coverage

6. Premises and Location Requirements

Even though you’ll deliver domiciliary care in people’s homes, you still need to show the CQC that your office base is suitable for managing the service. The space must meet health and safety requirements to keep staff safe, and you need to be able to store records securely to maintain client confidentiality.

The CQC Registration Application Process: Step-by-Step

Phase 1: Preparation (6-8 weeks)

1. Conduct a registration scope assessment to determine which regulated activities apply
2. Secure your premises and ensure they meet health and safety standards
3. Obtain DBS checks for key personnel (allow 2-4 weeks)
4. Recruit and train staff according to regulatory requirements
5. Develop comprehensive policies and quality systems
6. Prepare your Statement of Purpose and business plan

Phase 2: Application Submission

If you have not started your application yet, we recommend you apply by form and email. The CQC moved away from online applications after November 2024, so all new applications must be submitted via email to HSCA_Applications@cqc.org.uk.

Required Documentation:

• Completed provider application form
• Registered manager application (if applicable)
• Statement of Purpose
• Core policies and procedures
• Financial viability statement
• Insurance certificates
• DBS certificates
• Professional qualifications and references

Phase 3: Assessment Process

Once you submitted the application, you must check your email every day. CQC will email you when you least expect, and they will give you 3 DAYS ONLY to fix your errors or to provide further evidence.

The assessment includes:

• Document review: Initial assessment of all submitted materials
• Additional information requests: Typically 10-70 additional documents may be requested
• Site visit: Inspection of your premises and operational readiness
• Interviews: Face-to-face or virtual interviews with key personnel
• Final assessment: Decision on registration approval

Timeline Expectations

Our registration assessment process is rigorous and can take some time. You cannot manage regulated activities until we have confirmed that you are registered. This can take a few months.

Realistic timeframes:

• Preparation phase: 6-8 weeks
• Application completion: 2-8 hours
• CQC assessment: 2-6 months
• Total process: 4-8 months from start to approval

CQC Registration Costs and Fees in 2025

Application Fees

CQC registration involves both initial application fees and ongoing annual costs. CQC fees are more than just a one-time cost—they’re an ongoing annual expense that supports the CQC’s regulatory functions.

Annual Fee Structure

For care homes, nursing homes, and specialist services, annual fees are determined by the maximum number of service users you are registered to accommodate.

Typical fee ranges (2025):

• Small domiciliary care agencies: £1,000-£3,000 annually
• Medium care homes (10-25 beds): £3,000-£8,000 annually
• Large care homes (50+ beds): £8,000-£15,000 annually
• Specialist services: Variable based on complexity and scope

Additional costs to consider:

• Variation fees for registration changes
• Professional consultation costs
• Staff training and development
• Ongoing compliance requirements

Special Requirements for Specific Service Types

Services for Autistic People and People with Learning Disabilities

You must comply with our guidance on services for autistic people and people with a learning disability. We encourage you to talk to us about your ideas at an early stage of planning your service.

Homecare Services

The business you propose must be robust and everyone employed must be properly trained and experienced. Additional requirements include:

• Comprehensive staff training programs
• Robust recruitment procedures
• Effective monitoring systems
• Clear care planning processes

Services Using Controlled Drugs

If your service will be using controlled drugs, you might need a Home Office controlled drugs licence. If you do, you must apply for this as soon as possible. This process can take up to 16 weeks.

Common CQC Registration Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incomplete Documentation

Your documents must contain sufficient detail to be assessed. We will review your documents in conjunction with your application. Any documents not meeting the minimum requirements set out below will result in your application and documents being returned to you.

2. Inadequate Financial Planning

Not providing a statement on financial viability can delay the process even more, allow plenty of time to complete your statement so it doesn’t further delay an application.

3. Poor Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose – a core document which will give CQC a clear understanding of who you are, where is your CQC Location, what type of services you are seeking to offer and to what category of clients… Again, the majority the applications are returned due to the Statement of Purpose not being filled in correctly.

4. Rushing the Application Process

You should submit your application when everything is in place to start providing your services. This includes having the locations and staff ready to provide services.

Maintaining Your CQC Registration: Ongoing Requirements

Once registered, your responsibilities include:

• Annual fee payments: Failure to pay can result in registration cancellation
• Notifying changes: Any modifications to your service must be reported
• Ongoing compliance: Meeting fundamental standards at all times
• Inspection readiness: Preparing for regular CQC inspections
• Continuous improvement: Demonstrating quality enhancement initiatives

How Cura Compliance UK Can Support Your CQC Registration Journey

CQC registration is complex, time-consuming, and critical to your business success. One mistake can delay your application by months, costing you time, money, and the opportunity to start caring for clients.

At Cura Compliance UK, we understand the intricacies of CQC registration inside and out. Our expert compliance consultants have successfully guided hundreds of care providers through the registration process with a proven track record of first-time approvals.

Our Comprehensive Support Includes:

• Pre-registration consultations to assess your readiness and requirements
• Complete documentation preparation including policies, procedures, and Statement of Purpose
• Application form completion and submission support
• Financial viability assessments and business planning
• Staff training programs tailored to CQC requirements
• Mock inspections to ensure you’re ready for your site visit
• Ongoing compliance support to maintain your registration

Why Choose Cura Compliance UK?

• 100% success rate for first-time CQC registrations
• Expert knowledge of all service types and requirements
• Time-efficient process reducing your time to market
• Cost-effective solutions preventing expensive delays and rejections
• Ongoing partnership supporting your long-term success

Don’t let CQC registration delays hold back your vision of providing excellent care. With regulatory requirements becoming increasingly complex and CQC standards continually evolving, professional guidance isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Ready to take the next step in your CQC registration journey with confidence?

Contact Cura Compliance UK today for a FREE initial consultation. Our experienced team will assess your specific requirements, provide clear guidance on your registration pathway, and create a tailored action plan to ensure your successful approval.

📞 Call us now or 📧 email us to schedule your consultation

With Cura Compliance UK by your side, CQC registration becomes a smooth, efficient process that gets you caring for clients faster while ensuring full regulatory compliance from day one.