CQC Regulation 19: The Fit & Proper Persons Requirement

What Regulation 19 Actually Requires

Regulation 19 requires registered care providers to carry out specific checks before anyone starts working in a regulated activity — and to have systems in place proving those checks were done properly, not just ticked off. In practice, that means being able to evidence:

• Proof of identity
• A full employment history, with satisfactory written explanation of any gaps
• At least one satisfactory reference, ideally covering the most recent period of employment in a care-related role
• An enhanced DBS check, including a check against the Adults' Barred List where the role involves regulated activity with vulnerable adults
• Evidence of the qualifications and training claimed for the role
• Physical and mental fitness to carry out the role, where relevant

The CQC's own inspectors ask to see this evidence directly — it's a standard line of questioning in any inspection, and gaps here are one of the more common reasons providers are marked down.

Why the Wording Matters

It's worth being precise here: the CQC registers care providers, not recruitment agencies. When you see a staffing agency describe itself as "CQC Regulation 19 compliant," the accurate meaning is that the agency vets candidates to the same standard a registered provider is legally required to apply — not that the agency itself holds CQC registration. A credible agency should be explicit about that distinction, because a care manager relying on the wrong assumption during an inspection is exactly the kind of gap Regulation 19 exists to close.

Where We Stand

Registered care providers remain responsible for their own Regulation 19 duties. We supply the evidence you need: identity, right to work, references, and DBS where the role is eligible. See our Hire Staff page for the checks we carry out.