How do you register an independent clinic with RQIA, and what are the fees?

Request web portal login details from RQIA, then submit a service application, a responsible person application and a manager application through the portal, with supporting documents, proof of fee payment by BACS and an enhanced AccessNI disclosure. Fees depend on the service type, and RQIA's applicant guidance tells you to confirm the fee for your service in its guidance documents before you pay.¹

Who registers with RQIA

RQIA registers and regulates independent clinics, independent medical agencies and independent hospitals. In Northern Ireland the independent hospital category includes private dental practices, hospices, cosmetic laser services, refractive eye services and IVF.² Private doctor services register as independent clinics, and RQIA publishes provider guidance for each kind of service.³ If you are unsure whether registration applies, RQIA asks you to contact its registration team before you complete the web portal membership form.¹

The application, step by step

1. Get web portal login details. Complete the 'How to register with RQIA' contact form on the web portal with your details, the provider entity and the service type. RQIA validates it, emails a temporary password and phones to confirm your username.
2. Complete the service application. Under 'Registration of a new service', give the establishment details, the proposed registration details, information about accommodation, facilities and services, information about staff and a statement of financial viability.
3. Upload the supporting documents and fee. Upload each document listed, up to 10MB per file, and confirmation of any fee paid by BACS. Then print, sign and upload the declaration.
4. Complete the responsible person application. Qualifications, professional registrations, full employment history with gaps explained, two referees, financial standing, a statement of medical fitness and a declaration of any offences.
5. Apply for enhanced AccessNI disclosure. Through the NI Direct portal, using the PIN in RQIA's guidance. The applicant guidance lists a fee of £32 for this check.
6. Set up your manager. Create the proposed manager as a delegated portal user with full access to the manager application form, so they can apply.
7. Answer RQIA's questions. If more information is needed, RQIA returns the application through the portal for you to update and resubmit.

RQIA meets the responsible person on MS Teams to verify identity documents, and contacts both referees for written references.¹ A bank letter on your financial standing is required under the Regulation and Improvement Authority (Registration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005, and the applicant guidance includes a template for it.¹

RQIA registration fees

Registration fees are not the same for every service type, and some services pay none. RQIA's current applicant guidance does not print the amounts. It tells applicants to check the fee for their service type in RQIA's guidance documents, pay by BACS with the service name in the payment reference, and upload confirmation of the payment.¹ Confirm the amount with the registration team before you pay.

1. Portal login received on ______
2. Service application submitted on ______
3. Statement of purpose and patient guide uploaded ______
4. Fee confirmed with RQIA ______ Paid by BACS on ______
5. Responsible person application submitted on ______
6. AccessNI case reference ______
7. Manager set up as delegated user on ______ Manager application submitted on ______
8. Bank letter on financial standing uploaded ______

Copy template

After registration

RQIA inspects every private doctor service at least once a year, usually with notice.⁴ The guide to preparing for an RQIA inspection of a private doctor service covers what inspectors look at, and the RQIA hub sets out the four domains and their indicators.

Questions

How much does RQIA registration cost?

It depends on the service type. RQIA's applicant guidance asks you to confirm the fee for your service in its guidance documents and pay by BACS. The enhanced AccessNI disclosure for the responsible person is listed at £32.

Do I have to renew RQIA registration every year?

Registration continues while you meet the regulations. Changes such as a new manager, a variation or a cancellation are made through the web portal.

Does a cosmetic laser clinic register as a clinic?

No. In Northern Ireland cosmetic laser services sit in the independent hospital category, with their own RQIA provider guidance.

Can I apply on paper?

RQIA asks providers to apply through its web portal, uploading every document electronically.

Sources

1. 1RQIA, 2026How to complete an application for a new service registration (applicant guidance), updated Sept 2026Read source
2. 2RQIA, 2026Registration GuidanceRead source
3. 3RQIA, 2026Guidance for Registered ProvidersRead source
4. 4RQIA, 2026RQIA Provider Guidance 2026-2027, Independent Clinic, Private Doctor ServiceRead source

Written by the wai team from Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority guidance, checked on 15 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. RQIA does not endorse wai or any software.