Checking clinician credentials

Knowing how to check a clinician's credentials gives you an independent way to feel confident before an assessment, rather than relying only on what a clinic's website says.

Why professional registration matters

In the UK, professionals who diagnose and treat health conditions are usually required to be registered with a statutory regulator. Registration means the professional has met set standards of training and conduct, and can be held accountable if something goes wrong. It doesn't guarantee a particular outcome, but it is a meaningful baseline check.

The main registers to know

• GMC (General Medical Council) — registers doctors, including psychiatrists who diagnose ADHD and autism. You can search the GMC register online by name to confirm current registration and check whether any restrictions apply.
• HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) — registers practitioner psychologists (including clinical and educational psychologists) and several other allied health professions. HCPC registration is a legal requirement for anyone using the title "psychologist" in a protected way.
• NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) — registers nurses, including specialist nurses who may be involved in ADHD assessment and prescribing.
• BPS (British Psychological Society) — a professional body rather than a statutory regulator. BPS membership, particularly Chartered status, can be a useful additional indicator of standing, but it works alongside HCPC registration for practising psychologists rather than instead of it.

Each of these organisations offers a public, searchable register on their website, so you can check a named clinician yourself rather than relying solely on a clinic's marketing claims.

What to check when you search a register

• That the name and registration number match what the clinic has told you
• That the registration is current and not lapsed
• Whether any conditions, warnings or restrictions are listed against their registration
• Their registered profession, to confirm it matches the type of assessment they're offering

If you can't find a clinician on the register they claim to belong to, it's worth asking the clinic directly for clarification before proceeding.

Experience and specialism matter too

Registration confirms a professional baseline, but it doesn't tell you about someone's specific experience. It's reasonable to ask a clinic about a clinician's experience with your particular circumstances, for example assessing adults, assessing autism in women and girls, or working with people who have co-occurring conditions. Clinics vary in how much of this detail they publish, so don't hesitate to ask directly.

Checking the clinic as well as the clinician

Credential checks shouldn't stop at the individual. In England, the clinic itself should be registered with the CQC, and you can read their inspection reports for a sense of how the service is run overall. This is separate from, but complements, checking the individual clinician's registration.

What to do if something doesn't check out

If a clinician's details don't match a register, or a clinic is reluctant to confirm registration information, treat this as a significant warning sign. It's reasonable to pause, ask further questions, or choose a different provider. You can also raise concerns directly with the relevant regulator.

Checking credentials takes a little extra time, but it's a straightforward, practical step that puts you in a stronger position when choosing where to be assessed. If you have any doubts about a clinician's suitability for your situation, speak to your GP for guidance.