Voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists (VRCT) 

The Voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists (VRCT) was founded in August 2000 with the sole task of taking forward the case for regulation of the Clinical Technologist profession. In 2001 the Department of Health published "Making the Change" which raises the profile of the professions working in Healthcare Science and describes some of their activities.

The document indicates how this important group of staff will be supported and developed in the future, so that patients benefit, and innovation is introduced into all aspects of health care. Regulation is one aspect of the proposed changes.

The VRCT now has approaching 3,000 Registrants (September 2010). Clinical Technologists, who are also known by a variety of other job titles, work mainly in medical physics and clinical engineering applied to health care. Their activities may be undertaken within the NHS or other healthcare establishments, universities or the medical device industry. In the last six years the constituent professional bodies who formed the VRCT have worked towards the development of a number of key processes to assist with the further definition of the profession, these include:-

  • A defined body of knowledge
  • Establishing that the practice of the profession is based on evidence of efficacy
  • The establishment of a Voluntary Register
  • The establishment of a body to oversee the Voluntary Register
  • Defined routes of entry into the profession
  • Independently assessed entry qualifications
  • Standards relating to conduct, performance and ethics
  • A disciplinary procedures to enforce standards
  • A defined scope of practice for the profession
  • A commitment from all in the profession to be committed to, and undertake, continuous professional development

With the support of the Department of Health, an application to the Health Professions Council was made in May 2004. The application process involved the collection and collation of a vast amount of information regarding the profession. This information was presented to assist HPC Council members to make a decision on the VRCT application. In October 2004 the HPC agreed to regulate the profession. Following that decision the VRCT has been working with the Department of Health in order to resolve a number of issues before regulation can take place. The decision to regulate the Clinical Technologist profession will lead to a number of ramifications for all working in the profession.

HPC Registration will be more expensive than membership of the Voluntary Register; each individual will be required to pay £72 per year (based on current HPC registration fees which are tax deductible). However there are significant benefits to accrue from being registered, amongst these are: -

  • Each Registrant has the opportunity to contribute to the development of the profession
  • Clear guidance on standards of conduct, performance and ethics
  • Clear guidance on the expected standards of proficiency for the profession
  • Professional recognition by all other regulated health professionals
  • The protection of professional title - only those legally registered as Clinical Technologists will be able to practice as such
  • Protection against rogue practitioners - the HPC can prosecute those who illegally use professional titles
  • Regulation is independent of Government
  • Freedom of movement to work elsewhere with the European Economic Area

If you wish to find out further information about the benefits of registration or about the Health Professions Council follow this web link: Health Professions Council or you can write to them at:

Health Professions Council, 184 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4BU

Why join the Voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists now?

The experience of other professions recently registered, and now under the regulatory regime of the HPC, indicates that some form of grandparenting arrangements will be introduced to facilitate the initial establishment of the legal register. Professions that had voluntary registers of good standing have been able to have their registrants transferred to the new register as one group. It is hoped that similar principles will apply to those who join the VRCT before a date yet to be specified when a new HPC register is formed that will include Clinical Technologists.