British Chiropractic Association (BCA)

The British Chiropractic Associate (BCA) was established in 1925 in the UK. It is currently the biggest chiropractor association in the nation and has lasted the longest amount of time.

Unlike the General Chiropractic Council, registration with the BCA is not compulsory, however, 50% of GCC registered chiropractors in the UK are members of the BCA. To join these members, you must be able to prove that you have successfully graduated from a legitimate chiropractic education course after training full-time for four years. This requirement has been set out to ensure that all the BCA members maintain their high standards in regards to chiropractic education and treatment. One of the benefits of being a member of the BCA is that it ensures they are covered by indemnity insurance.


The British Chiropractic Association is a founding group behind the European Chiropractors Union as well as also contributing to the establishment of the World Federation of Chiropractic. Not only this, but the BCA is also a member of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA).

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance

ARMA is an umbrella body that includes numerous professional organisations, researcher and support groups who all work in the area of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

The key objective of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance is to provide those who suffer from such conditions with a better quality of life and healthcare. They have accepted the British Chiropractic Association as part of their alliance as the BCA claim to also want to help improve the global understanding and awareness of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

How to join the British Chiropractic Alliance

In order to become a member of the BCA, you must have graduated from a college that is approved by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and the European Council of Chiropractic Education (ECCE). As well as this, you must be a holder (or in the process) of GCC registration as this association are the UK’s legal regulators for chiropractic care.

If you have met the above criteria then you are eligible to apply for BCA membership. To do so you must first select the correct application form. These application forms depend on how long you have been a graduated chiropractor. If you graduated within the past two years and have done a post-graduate training course, there is a specific form for you, as there is if you are yet to complete a post-graduate scheme. However, the application form is different if you have been a registered, practicing chiropractor for longer than two years.

Whilst you are applying to become a member of the British Chiropractic Association, you should also apply for indemnity insurance. There is a separate application form for this, which should be completed and returned with your BCA member application form.

If you are currently a student studying to become a chiropractor at wither the Anglo European College of Chiropractic of the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, you are able to apply and join the BCA free.

« General Chiropractic Council (GCC) Regulation of Chiropractic »