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New combined Standards
We have published our new combined Standards. For the first time, we have introduced a single set of Standards covering both professional regulators and Accredited Registers.
Our updated framework strengthens expectations on safeguarding, governance and professional suitability.
Read our new combined StandardsImplementation
For regulators
The new Standards will come into effect on 1 July 2026. For regulators, this means we will begin collecting evidence about their performance against the new standards for their 2026/27 performance review cycle. Therefore, we do not expect to publish the first performance review using these Standards until September 2027. As the regulators’ cycles begin at different times, the transition to the new standards will be staggered.
For Accredited Registers
For Accredited Registers, implementation will begin from 1 July 2026. Applications for accreditation received from new and existing registers before 1 July will be transitioned to the revised Standards before we report on outcomes. From 1 July all applications and notifications of change must be made against the revised Standards. Each applicant and accredited register will receive information about how the transition process will work for them specifically.
Find out more about our StandardsBackground and context
In February 2025, we announced a public consultation to gather feedback and insights from our stakeholders. We wanted to make sure that the next version of the Standards look for the right things, but can also flex to meet current and future challenges.
We considered everything we heard and published those findings in our consultation outcome report.
We also carried out a review of published evidence, which included submissions to an external call for evidence, on ways professional regulation and registration could improve, to help shape the PSA’s thinking about the future of public protection and the revised Standards.
You can read the findings of our evidence review here.
Find out more about our consultationFAQs: implementing the new combined Standards
When will the new Standards come into effect?
The new Standards will come into effect on 1 July 2026 but implementation will be stagged. For Accredited Registers, implementation will begin from 1 July 2026. Applications for accreditation received from new and existing registers before 1 July will be transitioned to the revised Standards before we report on outcomes. From 1 July all applications and notifications of change must be made against the revised Standards.
When will you start collecting evidence against the new Standards?
We will begin collecting evidence about the regulator’s performance against the new standards for their 2026/27 performance review cycle. As the regulators’ cycles begin at different times, the transition to the new standards will be staggered.
When will the first performance review be published using the new Standards?
We do not expect to publish the first performance review for regulators using these Standards until September 2027.
When will you start assessing the regulators?
Whilst the Standards will come into effect on 1 July 2026, we will not assess the regulators’ performance until the end of their review periods. The first assessments under the new standards will be in June 2027 relating to the 2026/27 performance reviews of the GPhC and GCC, covering the periods 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
And which regulator will be assessed when?
- The GPhC and GCC will be the first to be assessed under the new Standards in June 2027 with their reports published by September 2027.
- The GDC and GMC will follow with assessments in September 2027, and reports published by December 2027
- The GOC, NMC, PSNI and SWE will be assessed in December 2027 with reports published by March 2028
- The HCPC and GOsC will be assessed in March 2027 with reports published by July 2028
When will the current standards stop being used altogether?
The final assessments under the current standards will be the 2026/27 performance reviews of the GOsC and HCPC, covering the periods 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. We expect to publish those reports in June 2027.
Q: Some regulators have more time than others to meet the new standards – how will you ensure your assessments are fair?
For each regulator, we will take into account their position in the cycle of reviews when we assess performance against standards that are new or include substantially new elements. We will also take into account any plans they have in place relevant to those standards.
Where can I find the new combined Standards?
You can read through them on our publications page: Standards for Regulators and Accredited Registers
Where can I find the old Standards for regulators and Accredited Regsiters?
Both the Standards of Good Regulation and Standards for Accredited Registers are still available.