CQC Registration Checklist for New Care Providers

A strong CQC application starts before you open the application form. You need a clear legal structure, the correct regulated activities and locations, suitable leaders, and evidence showing how the proposed service will operate safely and effectively.

This checklist is designed for prospective care providers in England. Work through it in order, keep one controlled set of documents, and check every answer against the latest CQC forms and guidance before submitting.

1. Confirm the provider and scope of registration

CQC registers the legal person responsible for carrying on the regulated activity. That may be an individual, partnership or organisation. The provider named in the application must match the entity that will direct and control the service.

• Confirm the provider's exact legal name, legal status and contact details.
• Check Companies House details where the provider is a company.
• Identify every regulated activity the service intends to carry on.
• Identify each location from which regulated activities will be managed or delivered.
• Confirm whether a registered manager is required for each activity and location.

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2. Prepare the people and leadership evidence

Your application should show that the provider, nominated individual and proposed registered manager understand their roles and are fit to carry them out. Names, responsibilities and employment arrangements should be consistent across every document.

• Confirm the nominated individual where the provider is an organisation.
• Complete any required registered manager application alongside the provider application.
• Prepare a current CV, employment history, qualifications and evidence of relevant experience.
• Complete the required DBS process and gather identity or right-to-work evidence where requested.
• Agree clear governance, supervision and escalation arrangements.
• Practise explaining the service model, risks, staffing and quality assurance in plain language.

3. Build a consistent service evidence pack

CQC assesses whether your proposed systems are likely to support safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led services. Generic documents are not enough: the evidence should reflect your client group, location, staffing model and regulated activities.

• A complete, accurate statement of purpose.
• A business plan and financial information that support a viable service.
• Service-specific policies and procedures with owners and review dates.
• Recruitment, induction, training, supervision and competency arrangements.
• Safeguarding, complaints, medicines, infection prevention and incident processes where relevant.
• Governance, audit, quality monitoring and business continuity arrangements.
• Premises, equipment, contracts or other evidence relevant to your type of service.

4. Complete a final quality check before submission

1. 1Download the latest application forms directly from CQC.
2. 2Check that all required additional location, partner, nominated individual and manager sections are included.
3. 3Compare names, addresses, activities, locations and service-user groups across every form and document.
4. 4Remove confidential personal information about future staff or people who may use the service unless CQC specifically requires it.
5. 5Check every attachment opens correctly, has a clear filename and is the final approved version.
6. 6Have the authorised person review declarations and signatures before the application is emailed.
7. 7Keep an exact copy of the submitted application and attachments.