In 1993, Osteopathy became the first major complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition under the 1993 Osteopaths Act.

This has culminated in the opening of the statutory register of osteopaths by the General Osteopathic Council in May 1998. Only those practitioners that have shown that they have been safe and competent in the practice of Osteopathy will be allowed onto the register.

All osteopaths are required to have medical malpractice insurance and to follow a strict code of conduct.