CQC Registration for Aesthetic Clinics

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. If you're running or planning to open an aesthetic clinic, understanding your CQC obligations is critical.

Do You Need to Register?

As of October 2025, the following activities require CQC registration:

• Prescribing and administering prescription-only medicines (including botulinum toxin and dermal fillers containing lidocaine)
• Surgical procedures (thread lifts, liposuction, etc.)
• Laser and IPL treatments above certain thresholds
• Any procedure requiring medical oversight

If your clinic only provides non-medical treatments (facials, non-medical grade chemical peels, LED therapy), you likely do not need CQC registration. However, the lines are blurring — check the latest CQC guidance.

Registration Process

Step 1: Determine Your Regulated Activities

Review the CQC's list of regulated activities and identify which ones your clinic performs. The most common for aesthetic clinics are:

• Treatment of disease, disorder, or injury
• Surgical procedures
• Diagnostic and screening procedures

Step 2: Prepare Your Documentation

You will need:

• Statement of purpose
• Policies and procedures (safeguarding, complaints, infection control, consent)
• Staff files with DBS checks and qualifications
• Insurance documentation
• Business plan
• Evidence of premises suitability

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Applications are submitted online via the CQC portal. Include:

• Completed application form
• All supporting documentation
• Payment of application fee (£1,578)

Step 4: Fit Person Interviews

The CQC will interview the registered manager and any directors. Expect questions about:

• How you ensure quality and safety
• How you handle complaints
• Your understanding of regulatory requirements
• Staff training and competency assessments

Step 5: Site Inspection

A CQC inspector will visit your premises to verify that your clinic meets the fundamental standards. They'll check:

• Cleanliness and infection control
• Equipment maintenance and calibration
• Medicine storage and management
• Patient records and consent processes
• Staff competency documentation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating preparation time — Allow 4-8 weeks before submitting
2. Incomplete policies — Generic templates won't pass. Your policies must be specific to your practice
3. Missing staff documentation — Every staff member needs complete records
4. Poor medicine management — Proper storage, temperature monitoring, and controlled drug registers are essential
5. Inadequate consent processes — Demonstrate a robust, documented consent process

Costs

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Application fee | £1,578 | | Annual fee (small clinic) | £1,175-2,416 | | Compliance consultant (optional) | £2,000-5,000 | | Policy documents (if outsourced) | £500-1,500 |

Timeline

| Phase | Duration | |-------|----------| | Preparation | 4-8 weeks | | Application review | 12-16 weeks | | Inspection | 1-2 weeks after approval | | Total | 4-6 months |

---

Written by Dr. Shane McKeown, former NHS doctor. Last reviewed March 2026. This is general guidance — always check the latest CQC requirements at cqc.org.uk.