Once you have submitted your application, we will check it for missing documents or incomplete information (we call this process ‘validation’). If your application is incomplete or is invalid for some other reason, then it will be rejected (i.e. returned to you) with a letter explaining why.
We will send you a confirmation email once we have completed validation of your application.
Valid applications are then assigned to the registration team for assessment.
How long it takes us to assess and determine your application will depend on a range of factors, but most importantly on how well prepared and ready you are, your availability or that of your nominated individual and manager (if you have them) to attend interviews and to facilitate the site visit and how quickly you respond to requests from the registration inspector for further information to support your application.
We may return your application if we cannot contact you to assess your application.
If you are well prepared, your service is ready and there are no delays, we should send you our decision ten weeks after we validate your application. This decision may be a notice of decision to register (NoD) or a notice of proposal to refuse (NoP).
Notices
If we are satisfied and decide to grant your application subject to the conditions you agreed to in your application, we will send you a Notice of Decision (NoD) to confirm this.
If we are not satisfied and propose to refuse your application, or to grant it with conditions other than those to which you agreed, we will send you a Notice of Proposal (NOP) setting out our reasons and inviting you to make ‘representations’ to us before we make a decision.
Making a representation
You have 28 calendar days in which to make representations to us if you do not agree, for any reason, that we should take the step set out in the NOP. This is not an appeal, because at this stage we have not made a decision – rather, by making representations if you do not agree, you help us to ensure that our decision, when we make it, is the right one.
Once we have considered any representations, or the time allowed for them to be made has elapsed, we notify you of our decision.
If you do not agree with our decision about how to register you, then you have the right to appeal to the first-tier tribunal.
You can find out more in our guidance or download the form you will need to make a representation.
Notice of Proposal: Representations form
Problems with your application
We will return your application if you do not submit all of the required forms and information we need. You will then need to resubmit it as we cannot hold incomplete applications.
Please note that it may take us longer to process your application if you submit it on paper rather than electronically.
Amending your application after you have submitted it
Find out how to amend your application after you have submitted it.
This guide is about applying to register with us if one or more of your registered managers is continuing their registration.
If you are making a new application to register as a provider with CQC and all of your registered managers are applying to register for the first time, then please use the online registration system.
New provider application with new registered managers
Making changes
Once you're registered with us, you'll need to keep your details up-to-date. Find out more about making changes to your registration.