Acronym help – understanding the letters in the chiropractic world

As a regulated healthcare profession, focused on high quality and standards, there are lots of organisations involved in chiropractic. Like all sectors, the use of acronyms is commonplace, but if you’re just starting out, here’s a quick guide to help you navigate each one.

GCC – General Chiropractic Council

  • The statutory body established by Parliament to regulate the chiropractic profession in the UK.
  • You must register with the GCC to call yourself a chiropractor.

BCA – British Chiropractic Association

  • BCA LogoThe largest chiropractic professional association in the UK, representing over 50% of British chiropractors.
  • Representing members’  views to bodies such as the GCC and the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).
  • Providing products and services to enable chiropractors to work with greater ease.
  • The BCA represents the UK at a Worldwide level as a member of the WFC (see below for explanation). This is where we work in collaboration with National Associations on the World stage to help further the profession.

Other associations in the UK are the MCA, UCA and SCA – McTimoney Chiropractic Association, Scottish Chiropractic Association, United Chiropractic Association. 

RCC – Royal College of Chiropractorsrcc-logo

  • Promotes and supports high standards of education, practice and research within chiropractic.
  • Provides postgraduate education via seminars.
  • Provides the Post Registration Training (PRT) programme which is the BCAs recommended Graduate Education Programme.

WFC – World Federation of Chiropracticwfc-2016-logo

  • Promotes the chiropractic profession to the international healthcare community.
  • Has 88 national chiropractic associations as members.