Practitioner Register
The General Naturopathic Council, as the Standards Body, has established Core Elements for Naturopaths. Individuals who are entitled to become members of the GNC will have trained and will practice to a minimum of the levels set out in the Core Elements. Please click here to view the Core Elements document.
 The GNC has opened its Register to practitioners. Individuals who belong to any one of the GNC's Professional Associations (as listed on the Who is on the General Naturopathic Council page of this website) are eligible to apply for GNC registration; they should request the application form from their Professional Association.
The GNC Register has two-tiers: the upper tier (Registered Naturopaths)
is for eligible practitioners who hold a Naturopathic Diploma and who demonstrate they work within the Naturopathic National Occupational Standards (NOS) and in accordance with the GNC's Codes of Professional Practice. Please click here to view these Codes.
The second tier (Associate Naturopath) is for eligible practitioners who do not hold a Naturopathic Diploma
but who meet sufficient of the GNC's Core Elements, and who demonstrate they work within the NOS.
Registrants on this second tier will be able to complete 'missing' Core Elements in order to upgrade to the status of
Registered Naturopath.
How to Register
Applications for entry to the Register will begin in 2010. Eligible practitioners will be provided with appropriate details by their professional association and full information on how to apply will be available on this website in due course.
Membership Criteria
GNC MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
The GNC consists of organisations working on an equal footing and with agreed aims and Lay committee members to bring a consumer perspective. There shall be no individual practitioner membership of the GNC.
Organisations eligible for inclusion into the GNC as full members should:
1.
a. Be a professional organisation with a functional UK based administrative office
b. Represent qualified Naturopaths, or therapists practising according to naturopathic philosophy
c. Require minimum criteria of qualification and training as laid down in the GNC Core Syllabus including
supervised practicum
d. Maintain a register of members
e. Verify that their members hold suitable professional indemnity and public liability insurance to practise
2. OR be Schools accredited by such GNC member organisations
3. Be able to demonstrate how the above criteria in 1. are implemented
4. Be accountable to and for its members
5. Have a membership database of at least 25 individual qualified and practising therapists
6. Be prepared to abide by the GNC Memorandum and Articles of incorporation, Rules and Code of Ethics,
Disciplinary and Complaints procedure and Continued Professional Development procedures
7. Acknowledge as the benchmark National Occupational Standards (NOS) when finalised for the practise of
Naturopathy
8. The GNC shall determine the membership eligibility of applicant organisations and the councils' decision on the
granting or termination of membership shall be final
9. No organisation shall be considered a member of the GNC if it has failed to pay within such period as may have
been defined by the GNC, or as laid down within the Memorandum and Articles, such annual subscription as may
be set from time to time as being required for its membership
10. No organisation which is not financially solvent can be considered for or continue as a member of the GNC
LAY MEMBERS
Initially, the GNC will appoint up to three lay members; the eventual aim is to appoint up to one third of the GNC as lay members.
The role of Lay Members
 1. Bring a lay/consumer perspective to the work of the GNC
2. Attend Council/Forum meetings, generally up to six days per year
3. Commit some time between meetings for reading, participating in
email discussions, etc, up to six days per year. Contribute personal
knowledge, expertise, skills and abilities to the GNC meetings, to
aid effective decision making. They may also be able to contribute
specialist skills, such as accountancy or legal skills
4. Ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the GNC role
in protecting the public interest and in promoting high professional
standards, To act in the best interests of the GNC and support the
groups' objectives
5. Promote effectiveness, inclusiveness, accountability and transparency
6. Have an understanding of the work of the GNC with a good working
knowledge of processes and other information that may be helpful to the role
7. To share full involvement in the functions of the GNC including
- promoting profesional practice and public and patient safety
- acting as an ambassador for th Council/Forum
- other duties as may be specified
Lay Person - model specification
Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following qualities, skills and experience
Essential
- Demonstrate sound judgement - the ability to think logically, make thoughtful and unbiased decisions, display openness of mind and objectivity
- Be able to view situations from a patient's and a member of the public's perspective
- Be aware of and take into account the profession's views
- Be able to understand complex issues, assimilating information quickly and effectively
- Display good communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to communicate effectively, work with others having regard for their views, putting across views persuasively and sensitively
- Ability to think strategically
- Understand and contribute to management change
- Demonstrate commitment and reliability, with the ability to offer the requisite time
- Command the confidence of the public and the profession
- Maintain confidentiality
- Demonstrate an interest/experience in health, consumer or related issues
- Have no direct financial interest in any complementry medicine product, therapy or clinic related to the profession or in the GNC
Desirable
- Experience of representing the interests of the general public
- Broad interest in complementary medicine
- Management experience
- Experience of patient advocacy
Excluded Applicants - factors that may affect an applicant's suitability could include:
- Criminal convictions or outstanding criminal charges
- Disqualification from a profession
- Dismissal from an office of employment in the past 10 years
- Disqualification from acting as a company director or conduct in a company
- Conflicting financial interests
Note: The person appointed as a lay member should not have been a practitioner nor student of the profession to be regulated now or at any time in the past, and ideally not of another complementary therapy.
LAY MEMBER APPOINTMENT
Taking the above factors into account, appointment will be by panel interview; at least two references will be required.
Lay member posts will have a duration of 3 years, after which time the lay member may be re-appointed.
The post of lay member is unpaid. Out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed upon presentation of valid receipts, and other such expenses as may be decided by the GNC from time to time.
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