If you want to provide regulated health or adult social care services in England, you will almost certainly need to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This process is known as CQC Registration, and it is one of the most important milestones for any new provider, as it determines whether you are legally allowed to deliver care.

In simple terms, CQC registration is the formal approval process that confirms your organisation is suitable, safe, and properly prepared to provide regulated activities.

Why CQC Registration Matters

CQC registration is not a “box-ticking” exercise. It is the start of your organisation’s relationship with the regulator and sets the tone for how you will operate day-to-day.

For providers, successful registration demonstrates that you have:

• the right leadership in place
• clear governance and oversight
• safe recruitment and workforce processes
• robust policies and procedures
• strong quality assurance
• systems for safeguarding, incidents, and complaints
• the ability to deliver care safely and effectively

Most importantly, registration is about proving that you can meet the Fundamental Standards of care and operate in a way that protects people from avoidable harm.

Who Needs to Register?

You typically need CQC registration if you are providing regulated activities. These can include (among others):

• Personal care (such as domiciliary care)
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
• Diagnostic and screening procedures
• Surgical procedures
• Maternity and midwifery services

The activities you intend to deliver will determine what you need to apply for, what evidence is required, and how CQC will assess your application.

What Does the CQC Registration Process Involve?

CQC Registration is made up of several key parts. While each application is unique, most include:

1) Defining the service
You will confirm what type of service you are opening, what regulated activities apply, and who the care is for.

2) Key roles and suitability checks
You will need appropriate individuals in place, such as the Registered Manager (depending on service type), and CQC will assess whether they are suitable.

3) Completing the application and supporting evidence
CQC requires detailed documentation showing your operational readiness. This often includes:

• Statement of Purpose
• policies and procedures
• governance framework
• recruitment processes and training matrix
• safeguarding arrangements
• risk assessments and audits

4) CQC interview (where applicable)
Many applications involve an interview to assess competence, readiness, and understanding of regulatory requirements.

How Long Does It Take?

Timeframes vary significantly based on the type of service and how quickly evidence can be produced. Delays often occur where:

• information is missing or inconsistent
• key roles are not fully confirmed
• policies do not match the service being applied for
• governance and oversight are not clearly evidenced

A well-prepared application, submitted with complete evidence, is far more likely to progress smoothly.

CQC registration is the gateway to starting your care business legally and safely. Done properly, it sets up your organisation for strong compliance, confident leadership, and long-term success. If you approach registration as the foundation of your governance and quality framework (not just a form submission), you will be in a stronger position for both approval and future inspection readiness.