CQC Registration Forms: Which Form to Use, Where to Send It and What to Include (Providers and Managers, 2026)

CQC Registration Forms: Which Form to Use, Where to Send It and What to Include (Providers and Managers, 2026)

A plain guide to choosing the right CQC application form, where to get it, how to send it, what must go with it and why CQC rejects applications. For care home and home care providers and managers in England.

The form you need depends on who you are and what you are doing. A new provider uses CQC’s provider application forms, and each registered manager uses the new registered manager application form, sent together by email. A manager continuing under a new provider uses a different, shorter form. CQC publishes its forms as Word files, updates them occasionally and may reject an application sent on an out-of-date form, so download a fresh copy each time. CQC’s “find a registration application form” tool shows the forms that match your situation. Applications must be complete, and manager forms must go in with the provider application.

This guide is for people setting up or taking over a care home or home care agency in England, and for managers applying to be registered. It explains which CQC form applies in each situation, how to send it and what must go with it, based on CQC’s own registration pages, linked in the sources section. CQC changes its forms and process from time to time, so treat this as a map and always check CQC’s current page before you send anything. For the whole process, costs and timeline, see how to register with CQC.

Which CQC registration form do I need?

CQC’s application process page says the way you register depends on your registered manager: either a continuing registered manager (you are taking over a location and the manager will continue the same type of service and activities) or a new registered manager (all the managers in your application are applying for new registrations, or you are an individual in sole charge). If you are unsure which applies, CQC suggests contacting its National Customer Service Centre (03000 61 61 61 or enquiries@cqc.org.uk). The table is our summary: check the form page for the exact situations.

How to find and download the form

CQC’s find a registration application form tool asks a series of questions about your registration status and your role, then shows the relevant application types. Each form page explains who it is for, gives a real-life example and links to other documents you may need. CQC says:

• Its forms are protected Word files that let you tab or click between boxes to fill them in.
• For many forms there are additional sections for more than one location, regulated activity, manager, partner or condition, available from the same page.
• It updates the forms occasionally, so you should download a new copy each time you make an application, and it may reject an application sent on an out-of-date form.

The registered manager application form

CQC’s new registered manager application form (page last updated 25 August 2026) is for you if you are:

• registering as a new provider, and employing the person as a registered manager;
• an existing provider continuing to run an existing service, and employing the person as the registered manager for it; or
• an existing provider starting to run a new service, and employing the person to manage it.

There is also a supplementary section for managers where more than one location is included in the application, with one copy for each additional location. If a new provider is taking over a location and continuing to employ the manager in their existing role, the manager uses the separate “continue under a new provider” form instead (CQC: Register as a new manager).

What the manager must show

CQC says applicants must show proven management experience, be fit to be registered, hold the right qualifications for the service type and understand care laws, and for some services show they can handle complaints, mental capacity assessments, safeguarding and medication errors. You will need:

• A full work history from age 16, explaining any gaps over four weeks.
• A current enhanced DBS certificate countersigned by CQC, issued in the past 12 months.
• Contact details for your GP and last employer.
• Copies of qualifications and training. CQC gives a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management or equivalent as something that would strengthen a home care manager application.

CQC warns that you could be fined up to £2,500 for false or misleading information. See how to hire a registered manager.

The provider application and supporting documents

CQC’s register as a provider page (updated 25 August 2026) says to download the provider forms and send everything by email, with the manager forms included. It will reject incomplete applications. Supporting documents depend on your service. Everyone sends a statement of purpose, core policies, insurance evidence and, where needed, a building control certificate. See CQC policies and procedures and the statement of purpose.

Home care agencies

For personal care, CQC also asks for a business plan and financial forecast, evidence of legal occupancy, service user guides, a staff training plan and the additional personal care form. CQC says the business must be robust and everyone employed properly trained and experienced. Since 1 July 2025 CQC checks new homecare applications in two stages, rejecting incomplete or inaccurate ones without a full assessment. A rejected application can be corrected and resubmitted, but it counts as a new application. See our home care checklist.

Care homes

CQC asks care homes for extra documents such as a business continuity plan, environment risk assessment, fire risk assessment, floor plan, safety certificates and a staff training plan. See how to register for the full list.

How to send your application

• Send everything together. Provider forms, manager forms and supporting documents must be sent at the same time.
• Email it to the address on the form page. CQC’s manager form page says to send everything to hsca_applications@cqc.org.uk (and, for the change to treatment of disease, disorder or injury at events, to HSCA_Events@cqc.org.uk, or the application will be delayed). Check the address on the current form page.
• Keep emails under 25MB. That is the largest CQC can receive. Compress files into a ZIP, and if still over, split across two or more ZIP files and emails.
• Use a clear subject line with the provider name, the type of application and how many emails you are sending, for example “Oxtown Care Limited New Provider application 1/2” (CQC’s example).

CQC’s provider page says to apply by form and email. Some CQC pages refer to an online registration option for personal care services, so check CQC’s current “register as a provider” page for the route that applies before you apply.

What happens after you send the forms

CQC checks the forms are complete, the information is correct and the required documents are included. If your application passes, assessment may include a Fit Person Interview, a Site Visit Assessment and a Nominated Individual Discussion. If you cannot agree assessment dates within 28 days of being contacted, or CQC cannot reach you, the application may be returned or refused. CQC says the process can take a few months, and that you cannot manage regulated activities until it confirms your registration. Managers are also interviewed. See how to register with CQC for the timeline and costs.

Why applications are rejected (before you send)

• Incomplete forms, unanswered questions, or forms not signed and dated.
• An out-of-date version of the form.
• Manager forms missing from the provider application.
• Missing, out-of-date or irrelevant supporting documents.
• Unexplained gaps in a manager’s work history over four weeks.
• Premises or staff not ready when you apply.

Our suggestion: ask someone independent to read the whole application against CQC’s checklist before you send it.

Forms for changes after registration

CQC’s form finder also covers changes to an existing registration. Common ones include a change of registered manager, which has its own notification (see change of registered manager), changes to your statement of purpose and cancelling a registration (change or cancel registration). Notifications use CQC’s separate notification forms (CQC notifications).

Sources and how this was checked

• CQC: Apply as a new registered manager application form (page last updated 25 August 2026).
• CQC: Register as a new manager (page last updated 6 January 2026).
• CQC: Find a registration application form (page last updated 28 March 2024).
• CQC: The application process (page last updated 25 March 2026) and Register as a provider (25 August 2026).

Read 25 October 2026. The situation table is our summary of CQC’s pages. CQC changes forms and email addresses, so check the current form page before you send.