Osteopath : Training

As most osteopaths are self-employed, they are responsible for arranging and paying for their own training and development.

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)  has introduced a mandatory scheme of continuing professional development (CPD) for osteopaths. This includes attendance at lectures and seminars, as well as undertaking courses, practical sessions, individual study or other activities. Osteopaths must complete at least 30 hours of CPD a year.

Training schools provide a number of CPD courses for qualified and practising osteopaths. These include postgraduate qualifications and short courses on specialist subjects. The Osteopathic Sports Care Association , for example, offers an MSc in Sports Osteopathy at Leeds Metropolitan University and the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy , run in collaboration with the British School of Osteopathy, offers an MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy.

The British Osteopathic Association and the GOsC also offer CPD opportunities, such as practical workshops and seminars on specialist areas and new techniques.

It may also be useful for self-employed osteopaths to take short courses in subjects such as marketing, accounts, administration or other business-related subjects that help with running a business.