Frequently Asked Questions

We offer six membership categories to reflect different stages and roles within occupational health. If you’re a CSP-registered physiotherapist, Standard Membership is usually the right starting point. Those who complete the Occupational Health Essentials Course can progress to Technical Membership, and experienced practitioners can apply for Registered Membership. We also offer Associate, International, and Student memberships. If you’re unsure, just email admin@acpohe.org.uk and we’ll guide you.

All ACPOHE members have access to ACPOHE’s Work & Health Learning and Development Hub, along with CPD resources, webinars, journals, and professional updates. Standard, Technical and Registered Members also gain full community access, regional groups, and voting rights. Technical and Registered Membership provide additional professional recognition that supports SEQOHS accreditation and strengthens your credibility in tenders and specialist roles. Furthermore, our Registered Members become eligible for ACPOHE’s paid opportunities such as tutoring, research, course development and other specialist roles. Many members value this as a chance to shape the profession, raise their profile and contribute to high‑quality education and standards across work and health.

To become a Technical Member, you must first be a Standard Member and complete ACPOHE’s Occupational Health Essentials Course (Modules 1–9).  To become a Registered Member, you must be a Standard or Technical Member and demonstrate recognised expertise in occupational health through one of our three approved routes. Full details are available via the membership pages and application guidance.

Yes. Our Associate Membership is open to UK and international health professionals working in occupational health or ergonomics who are not physiotherapists. This supports multidisciplinary practice and enables wider professionals to access ACPOHE learning, community, and updates.

CSP student members can join as Student Members for £15/year and will automatically convert to Standard Membership at their first renewal after graduation.
Physiotherapists registered outside the UK or CSP members working abroad can join as International Members. In both cases, simply email admin@acpohe.org.uk to get started.

If you’re beginning your OH journey, we recommend starting with Occupational Health Essentials. It gives you a strong foundation in core principles, workplace assessment skills and safe, effective OH practice.

No – many of our courses are suitable for beginners. You can build your knowledge from the ground up with our foundation courses, then progress to more advanced learning as your confidence and skills grow.

You can take courses individually or follow our structured pathways. Foundation courses help you get started, Technical Membership courses build practical workplace skills, and advanced courses support progression towards Registered Membership. Find out more here.

Yes – several courses are open to Associate Members, making them suitable for any professional working in, or interested in, Occupational Health. Some advanced courses are physiotherapy‑specific and these will be clearly indicated.

You can choose from a range of standalone courses, including topics like Advanced Ergonomics, DSE, workplace assessments and condition‑specific training. These are ideal if you want to deepen your expertise without following a full pathway.

All ACPOHE courses are available to book and access through our Work and Health Learning and Development Hub.  Your place is confirmed once we have received your payment.  Please read our Course Cancellation Policy before booking.  If you’ve recently joined ACPOHE, please note that Hub access is updated every two weeks. If you experience any issues, please contact us..

If you require reasonable adjustments or have questions about accessibility, please contact us before booking. We will do our best to support your learning needs.

Yes – a corporate booking for ACPOHE courses involves the interested party (corporate host) paying upfront for the cost of the course and being responsible for the provision of the venue, the administration and the smooth running of the course. A corporate booking is likely to save costs on delegate travel and may lead to cheaper course fees for the host organization, if the course is well attended.   If are you interested in being a corporate host, please email us to discuss further.

Occupational health (OH) physiotherapy focuses on keeping people healthy, safe and productive at work. OH physiotherapists assess work-related risks, support early intervention, reduce sickness absence, and help employees return to work safely after injury or illness. This improves workforce wellbeing, reduces costs linked to long-term absence, and supports a more resilient, engaged workforce.

ACPOHE members meet recognised standards for safe, effective OH practice. Technical Members have completed the ACPOHE Occupational Health Essentials Course, and Registered Members have demonstrated advanced expertise through a formal assessment process. These tiers align with SEQOHS expectations and give you confidence that the practitioner has the right skills, training and professional grounding.

OH physiotherapists can deliver a wide range of services including workplace assessments, ergonomic advice, early intervention clinics, functional assessments, return-to-work planning, training for managers, and support for employees with musculoskeletal or long-term health conditions. They work collaboratively with HR, managers and wider OH teams to provide practical, evidence-based solutions.

OH physiotherapists are experts in functional rehabilitation, which is essential for a safe and effective return to work, especially for employees in physically demanding roles. OH physiotherapists also specialise in assessing functional ability, identifying barriers to work, and creating clear, actionable return-to-work plans. They provide guidance on adjustments, graded duties and safe progression, helping employees stay connected to work and reducing the risk of long-term absence. Their expertise supports both the individual and the organisation to achieve a sustainable return.

You can use the ACPOHE Physio Directory on our website to search for qualified Standard, Technical or Registered Members. ACPOHE Registered Members offer advanced skills and are recognised as having the highest professional standing.  If you’re unsure which level of expertise you need or would like help identifying the right provider, simply email admin@acpohe.org.uk and we’ll support you.

SEQOHS (Safe, Effective, Quality Occupational Health Service) is the national accreditation scheme that defines the standards expected of high‑quality occupational health provision. It helps organisations ensure that the services they commission are safe, evidence‑based and professionally robust.

For OH physiotherapy providers, SEQOHS has clear expectations around competence. To gain SEQOHS accreditation, an OH physiotherapy provider must have at least one ACPOHE Registered Member within their service, and all other physiotherapists must be working towards Technical Membership. This ensures that the whole team is operating to recognised standards of OH knowledge and practice.

ACPOHE’s membership pathways are fully aligned with SEQOHS, giving buyers confidence that ACPOHE‑accredited physiotherapists are delivering safe, effective and high‑quality services that meet national expectations.

High‑quality OH physiotherapy ensures that assessments are accurate, recommendations are safe, and return‑to‑work plans genuinely support both the employee and the organisation. Poor‑quality services can lead to poor health and work outcomes, including, delayed recovery, unnecessary absence or even increased risk. ACPOHE’s standards are designed to give employers confidence that the physiotherapists they commission are competent, evidence‑based and aligned with best practice.  If you would like impartial advice on choosing a quality provider, please email us at admin@acpohe.org.uk

Technical and Registered Members have completed additional training and assessment that demonstrates their capability to deliver safe, effective and high‑quality OH physiotherapy. Technical Members have completed ACPOHE’s Occupational Health Essentials Course, while Registered Members have proven advanced expertise through a rigorous professional recognition process. These levels of membership align with SEQOHS expectations and give organisations assurance that they are commissioning practitioners with verified competence and specialist knowledge.