Which Practitioner do I need?

Sports Science as a discipline in concerned with the application of scientific theory, principles, and methodologies to sports and exercise. Most commonly the focus is on: Physiology, Biomechanics, and/or Psychology, although some sports scientists also specialise in application of Sociology, Neuroscience, and other fields of study.

Often an interdisciplinary approach is taken combining knowledge in all of the above areas to target all round performance optimisation. Dance Science deals with the same scientific principles but with specific focus on dance training and performance. Dance and/or Sport Scientists typically work within clinical practice, coaching, research and/or academia, with many working as consultants to elite level individuals and organisations. This consultancy work may include screening and testing performers, devising and implementing training interventions, and/ or looking at performance outcome measures.

It is necessary to make a distinction between individuals who have studied and obtained Undergraduate and/or Postgraduate degrees in Sports and/or Dance Science and professionally qualified and experienced Sports and/ or Dance Scientists who work with clients. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) has a programme of accreditation for its members, where rigorous checks concerning qualifications, experience and competency are carried out.

No such accreditation system currently exists for Dance Science, however the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) launched a fellowship scheme in 2014, which acknowledges the contribution and work of individuals in the field of dance science. We currently only list BASES accredited Sport and Exercise Scientists and/or IADMS Fellows on our Practitioners Directory.

Acupuncture is a system of healing using fine needles inserted in specific points in the body in order to achieve pain relief and healing. The principal aim is to recover the equilibrium to the meridians (channels of energy) in the body. Acupuncture can be effective for any kind of pain relief and it can also treat a wide range of health problems, including neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, stress, infertility, addictions and allergies. 

The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) requires a minimum three years study in traditional acupuncture and bio medical sciences to register, and all members will have public liability insurance. Many Chartered Physiotherapists also choose to integrate Western evidence based acupuncture into their mainstream Physiotherapist practice for the management of pain and systemic conditions.

For more information visit the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP). Finally, it is important to consider concerns about safety, pain and side effects. In some cases existing symptoms might temporarily worsen. This would usually be addressed at the first appointment, resulting in most patients being reassured and proceeding to give consent for this mode of treatment.

Alexander Technique assists in changing postural habits, improves poise, vitality and coordination and frees movement and breathing through increasing self-awareness.

Twenty to 30 one-on-one sessions give a good foundation for ongoing self-discovery for most people. 

The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) gives locations of teachers and is working alongside the Professional Association of Alexander Teachers (PAAT) to establish a voluntary self-regulatory body. Alexander Technique teachers may also be accredited by the Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council
(CNHC) which applies stringent checks in terms of training, qualification and insurance.

Body-Mind Centering (BMC) is a somatic practice, or one of a group of educational or therapeutic approaches focussed on your internal experiences of movement and the body.

Body-Mind Centering was founded by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, and practices can include exploration of body systems, developmental movement or ‘automatic movement responses’, awareness of your perceptions of the world and yourself, breathing and vocalisation, and repatterning through touch (Cohen, 2017).

When studying Body-Mind Centering, the theoretical components are often taught through dance improvisation and visualization with applications frequently made to movement and dance.

Somatic practitioners and educators should be registered with a professional body and hold an appropriate qualification for their practice. All the somatic practitioners listed on the Healthcare Practitioners Directory meet these criteria, but should you find a practitioner through another route, please check this for yourself.  The Body-Mind Centering Association, Inc. (BMCA) is a professional body, and it maintains a register of Professional Members are required to have recognised qualifications, complete regular accredited CPD, and abide by their code of ethics: https://bmcassociation.org/locate/professionals

According to the ACCPH (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists),  coaching can be thought of as, a respectful partnership that enables clients to produce meaningful results in their personal and professional lives. 

Coaching aims to define clear and motivating goals; identify obstructions to attaining those goals; and explore those obstructions to develop realistic and time-bound strategies to help work through them. There are many types of coaching, and Coaches may use many different approaches.

The ACCPH have some more helpful information about different coaching styles. It is important that you choose a Coach who has completed a Coaching course that is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF), the Association for Coaching (AC), and/or the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)– these are the three main professional bodies for Coaching in the UK. These bodies provide quality recognition to training providers whose courses meet rigorous standards of best practice.

You can read more about Coaching credentials here. All Coaches listed on One Dance UK’s Healthcare Practitioners Directory have; met One Dance UK’s quality assurance standards, completed an ICF, AC or EMCC accredited Coaching course, are fully qualified and insured, and are members of a UK Coaching professional body that has CPD and supervision requirements.

Dancers Career Development (DCD) also offers advice for dancers seeking coaching.

Chiropractic improves the function of joints, relieves pain and muscle spasm and, in particular, focuses on diagnosing and treating back, neck and shoulder problems, joint, posture and muscle problems, leg pain, sciatica and sports and dance injuries. Chiropractors assess the overall health of their patients and use non-surgical, drug-free treatment methods which include specific and gentle manipulation of the spinal column.

The General Chiropractic Council regulates the profession, sets standards on education, training, practice & conduct and helps you locate chiropractors in your area. Qualified chiropractors will have a degree; Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), BSc (Hons) Chiropractic or MChiro.

Dietitians are qualified and regulated health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public-health level. Dietitians use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health, and disease, translating into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

In the field of dietetics and nutrition, there are many titles used, but only dietitians are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Those who are not registered are breaking the law if they use the title ‘dietician’.  It is also important to recognise that qualified Dieticians will have a degree, usually a BSc Hons in Dietetics, or a related science degree with a postgraduate diploma or higher degree in Dietetics.

Wherever possible, dancers are strongly urged to consult a Registered Sports Dietitian. The Sports Nutrition Specialist Group is an expert branch of the British Dietetic Association for HCPC Registered Dietitians, specialising in the field of sports nutrition. The Sports and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr) also lists registered Dietitians specialising in sports and exercise nutrition. The register is currently administered by The British Dietetic Association, on behalf of the SENr Board. 

See also, Nutritionist/Nutritional Therapist. 

Feldenkrais is based on a positive integration between mind and body through movement tasks and ideas. Benefits include relief from tension and muscular pain, easier and fuller breathing, greater relaxation and well-being, improved performance in sport, dance, music and drama, greater ease in everyday activities and increased vitality.

The practitioner uses observation, conversation and a gentle, non-invasive touch, to investigate the participant’s movement habits. Lessons are particularly useful for specific or long-standing problems and are conducted in groups or private sessions.

The Feldenkrais Guild UK offers find a teacher and find a class services and it’s members are graduates of internationally-recognised training programmes, are fully insured, and are accountable to the Guild’s Code of Ethics.

The Franklin Method® combines imagery, movement and experiential anatomy to support posture, movement and breathing. The Franklin Method® uses Dynamic Neuro-cognitive Imagery™, an imagery-based method which focuses on retraining adverse movement and improving postural control.

DNI uses progressive movement exercises – such as those that we are familiar within dance – combined with various methods of imagery to draw participants’ attention to their anatomical make-up, body biomechanics, and the spatial and functional relationships between body segments during movement. Participants are trained to observe and use improved anatomical knowledge to enhance movement quality.

The Franklin Method®  was founded by Eric Franklin in 1994 and is taught in many well-established dance schools and organisations. The Franklin Method® has a growing evidence base. For more information about research relative to The Franklin Method in dance and clinical practice, visit The Franklin Method research page. Other useful resources include Dance and the Franklin Method: An Interview with Shannon Murphey, and Keeping Dancers Dancing: Outside Conditioning – The Franklin Method Part II (4dancers.org).

When seeking a Franklin Method®  practitioner, dancers are advised to look for an ISMETA-approved practitioner qualified to a Level 3 standard and who meet their requirements as part of their practice. All Franklin Method® instructors listed on our Healthcare Practitioners Directory are ISMETA registered.

The equipment used in Gyrotonic or the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, incorporates key movement principles from gymnastics, swimming, ballet, and yoga through which major muscle groups are worked interdependently and in an integrated manner while mobilising and articulating the joints.

Gyrotonic strengthens and stretches the muscular system, stimulates the nervous system, increases range of motion and develops coordination. The exercises are performed through spherical awareness and circularity of movement using natural and turbulence free movement patterns, resulting in a balanced support system for the skeleton.

The Gyrotonic website has information about studios in London offering classes. In order to work as a Gyrotonic/ Gyrokinesis teacher at a listed studio, the specified teacher training courses must be completed which typically take 1-2 years to complete. Qualified teachers are then required attend at least one specific continuing education course every two years. There are various levels of course available, we would recommend checking a teacher has completed the final certification course, rather than just the foundation or apprenticeship courses.

Naturopathy is an approach to health care which aims to promote, restore and maintain health.

It is said to be particularly effective for skin problems, degenerative and chronic ailments like arthritis and asthma, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, PMS and IBS.

Treatment may include nutritional advice, advice on herbs or supplements, detoxification, hydrotherapy (hot and cold water applied to promote healing), and physical therapy (soft tissue massage/osteopathy) to restore balance to the structure of the body.Every naturopath tends to work differently but will use most of these methods.

The British Naturopathic Association is the professional body for practicing naturopaths who are registered with the General Council and Register of Naturopaths in the UK.

Nutritionists provide information about food and healthy eating; however, there is no statutory regulation of the term ‘Nutritionist’. This simply means anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their qualifications, experience, and skills. Other titles may include ‘Nutritional Therapists’ and ‘Nutritionalists’.

Nutritionists and Nutritional Therapists listed on One Dance UK’s Healthcare Practitioners Directory must be Registered. Registered Nutritionists must be listed on the Association for Nutrition Register. Registered Nutritional Therapists are required to maintain full membership in the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Professional bodies such as these have a strict code of conduct that practitioners must follow and carry out checks on appropriate qualification standards, insurance, and CPD, therefore, acting as a quality control body.

If you seek a Nutritionist/ Nutritional therapist outside of this directory, check qualifications and style of practice. You should only seek advice from a Registered Nutritionist or a Registered Nutritional Therapist who is a member of the professional bodies above. It is also important to note that some may advise extensive use of dietary supplements and sell these to their clients. In general, we would recommend that dancers consult a Registered Sports Dietitian.

Orthopaedic surgeons are medically qualified practitioners who have a sub-specialty expertise in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system.

Surgery is rarely required for dancers since the majority of problems presenting are due to over use or abnormal use of the musculoskeletal system.

The main role of an orthopaedic surgeon is as part of a multidisciplinary team to help aid the accurate diagnosis and investigation of a patient’s symptoms.

The professional bodies in the UK which represents orthopaedic surgeons are the Royal College of Surgeons, and the British Orthopaedic Association. These websites list training for Orthopaedic surgeons and general information for the public.

Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to ensure the body is at its most balanced and efficient.

Osteopaths treat a variety of conditions including changes to posture in pregnancy, repetitive strain injury; postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis and sports injuries.

Treatment may include soft tissue massage and stretching as well as joint mobilisation and manipulation. Some osteopaths also use cranial osteopathy – a very gentle way to rebalance the body.

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) is the regulating body for osteopathy. Only registered practitioners can legally call themselves Osteopaths and professional indemnity insurance is a requirement. Qualified Osteopaths will also have a degree; BSc(Hons), BOst, BOstMed or MOst.

Physician is a generic term for a professional who practices medicine, concerned with promoting, maintaining, or resorting human health. Physician is a protected term and requires registration to the General Medical Council (GMC) and a licence to practice.

The GMC states: “Doctors who want to practise medicine in the UK legally need a licence. The licence gives a doctor the legal authority to undertake certain activities in the UK. Any doctor who wants to carry out an activity for which a licence is needed must be registered with a licence to practise. This applies whether the doctor is working full time or part time, in the NHS or in the independent sector, employed or self-employed, or working as a locum.”

Physicians may also be members of the Royal College of Physicians, which regulates and guides Physicians through the assessment and CPD requirements throughout their career.

Physiotherapy is the physical treatment of the body using a wide range of skills including manipulation, mobilisation, massage and exercise therapy to reduce pain and stiffness. It is the assessment, treatment and management of the human body to help the joints, muscles and nerves function to their full potential. Sometimes electrotherapy techniques, such as ultrasound, are used to speed up the body’s ability to repair damaged tissues.

It is important to ensure that any physiotherapist visited is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and has one of the following sets of initials after their name to verify they are registered and qualified: MCSP – Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, FCSP – Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or MACP Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. For more information go to www.csp.org.uk and www.physiofirst.org.uk.

Pilates can be beneficial for retraining core control of the spine and pelvis, postural alignment, body awareness and improvement of technique for athletes and dancers.

It can be used for injury prevention as well as for rehabilitation from injury. Pilates helps to create muscle balance between the inner and outer core abdominal-pelvic muscles as well as improve posture, flexibility, dynamic stability, coordination and release unnecessary muscular stress and strain.

It is important to note the distinction between instructors trained in Matwork Pilates only, versus those also trained in Reformer and studio equipment Pilates. There are a wide range of training courses and qualifications available for Pilates, so make sure you are aware of the training of your Pilates instructor has received.

There are currently no legal requirements or standards set in place protecting the term ‘Pilates Instructor’. 

The Pilates Method Alliance is the professional international association for Pilates Instructors and gives guidance to finding a qualified instructor. The Pilates Teacher Association, as well as The Society for the Pilates Method, regulate their members in terms of qualifications, CPD, and insurance, and requires them to abide by a code of ethical conduct. Also be aware that many Physiotherapists are also skilled Pilates instructors and may be preferable if you are currently injured and wish to integrate Pilates into a rehabilitation plan.

These terms are used interchangeably but there is no real difference between the two. As from 2003 anyone wishing to practice under these titles must register with the Health Professions Council (HPC); this will protect the public and regulates all practitioners.

A podiatrist/chiropodist works with all aspects of the foot and lower leg. This includes assessing, diagnosing and treating ailments and deformities, from verrucas and minor conditions of the nail to deformities induced by disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and health disorders such as diabetes.

Treatments available from a podiatrist/chiropodist include: ointments and non-prescriptive medication for minor ailments, prescription of orthoses, cryotherapy, electrosurgery, ultrasonics, specialised dressings and neurological assessment, minor nail and soft tissue surgery and gait analysis.

Podiatrists/chiropodists also give preventative care and health education of the foot and lower leg.

When looking for a podiatrist/chiropodist letters/qualifications to look for include: HPC (Health and Care Professions Council), MChS / FChS (Member/Fellow of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists), DPodM (Diploma in Podiatric Medicine), FCPodS (Podiatric Surgeon), BSc/BSc(Hons) (Bachelor of Science Degree in Podiatric Medicine). For further information on this discipline visit The College of Podiatry.

Psychiatrists are medically qualified practitioners who will have trained and qualified to be a doctor, then have had 2 years of further training in various medical specialties and at least 6 years of further specialist training in diagnosing mental illness. Psychiatrists may use a range of types of therapy to support people with complex, severe or sudden mental ill-health and may also prescribe medications to help ease symptoms of mental illness. Usually, they work in community mental health teams, out-patient departments, and hospital wards.  

Psychiatrists may work with dance professionals to diagnose and treat mental health problems or to promote physical activity and dance interventions within mental health services. The International Society for Sports Psychiatry (ISSP) states, ‘Sports psychiatry is the sub-specialty within psychiatry largely focusing on diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illness in athletes. While utilization of psychological approaches to enhance performance may also be part of the work of the sports psychiatrist, it tends to be less so as compared to addressing actual mental illness in this population.’  

However, there is no specialist training route in the UK for psychiatrists working in sport and exercise. Psychiatrist is a protected term and requires registration to the General Medical Council (GMC) and a licence to practice. Psychiatrists should also be members of their professional medical body, the Royal College of Psychiatrists. 

Practitioners Psychologists work in a variety of specialist areas in providing assessments, formulation, interventions, prevention and evaluation in the understanding of the mind’s functioning and its influences on human behaviour, including communication, memory, attention, thought and emotion. 

Psychologists can provide support for a variety of issues or concerns related to wellbeing and optimal functioning, at individual and group/systemic levels. They can provide support and skills in coping with low-confidence, loss, low-self-esteem, motivation, resilience, perfectionism, bereavement, dealing with trauma to name a few, and clinical psychologists can provide expertise and support with a range of mental ill-health diagnosed disorders such as the understanding and dealing with personality disorders and schizophrenia.  

Psychologists may work with a range of different therapies or ‘modalities’ in a large variety of environments. MIND provides helpful guidance on the range of talking therapies available on the NHS, privately, and through charities. However, your relationship with your clinician/therapist is generally more important than the approach adopted. There is no one size fits all. If in doubt, please do seek advice.  

Positive psychology focuses specifically on the enhancement of psychological wellbeing, rather than focussing on the reduction or ‘fixing’ of experienced mental ill-health, or poor physical and mental health.  

It is important to ensure that any psychologist visited is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council at: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register. Anyone using one of the protected titles listed on their website must be registered with the HCPC as they are the regulator for Practitioner Psychologists in the UK. This currently includes Clinical psychologist, Forensic psychologist, Counselling psychologist, Health psychologist, Educational psychologist, Occupational psychologist, Sport and Exercise psychologist. We also look for professional body membership with the British Psychological Society (BPS) https://www.bps.org.uk/  as Chartered Membership, as an additional evidence of knowledge, skills and expertise.  

Psychotherapy and Counselling is an approach that stresses the importance of the unconscious and experience in shaping current behaviour. The client is encouraged to talk with their therapist about childhood relationships with parents and other significant people, and the therapist focuses on the dynamics of the client/therapist relationship.

‘Transference’; when the client projects their feelings experienced in previous significant relationships on to the therapist, is a method used in this type of therapy. The psychodynamic approach is derived from psychoanalysis, but usually provides a quicker solution to emotional problems.

We look for professional body membership in British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), British Psychological Society (BPS), United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) & Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK. For more information on this visit: http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/profquals.html.

MIND also provides helpful guidance on talking therapies and cognitive behavioural therapies. 

Rolfing-Structural Integration is a method of hands-on body work and movement training that takes an integrated approach to the body and health. Rolfing can help people to have better posture, fewer aches and pains, greater flexibility, and more energy.

Rolfing-Structural Integration thoroughly supports, promotes and undertakes scientific research. There have been many studies into the effects of Rolfing that can be explored here www.rolf.org/about/research.

The database for qualified practitioners can be found via Rolfing UK. The European Rolfing Association (ERA) also lists practitioners and regulates its members in terms of basic training undertaken, CPD, and insurance. The ERA also has a dedicated ethics committee, which deals with the associations ‘Standards of Practice’ and ‘Code of Ethics’ as well as complaints.

Somatic practices are therapeutic or educational movement approaches that aim to build an awareness of the internal experience or sensations in the body, whether physical or emotional.

They are sometimes also referred to as ‘body therapies, bodywork, body-mind integration, body-mind disciplines, movement awareness, and movement (re) education'.

They use both relaxation and movement, as well as, for example, breath, imagery and visualisations, postural and movement evaluations, experiential anatomy, focus, and touch.

Somatic practices encompass distinct disciplines, each with their own educational principles and therapeutic techniques. Examples of well-known, systematised somatic practices include: Ideokinesis, Rolfing, Somatic Movement Education (SME), Feldenkrais Method, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Hanna Somatics, Laban Movement Analysis, Alexander Technique, and Body-Mind Centering – some of these can also be found as independent practitioner types on our directory. 

Scientific evidence of the impact of somatic practices is currently still limited, and Healthline provides a useful overview. To learn more about the applications of somatic practice to dance practice and dancers, Martha Eddy, Sylvie Fortin, and Glenna Batson have all authored useful texts.

Somatic practitioners and educators should be registered with a professional body and hold an appropriate qualification for their practice. All the somatic practitioners listed on the Healthcare Practitioners Directory meet these criteria, but should you find a practitioner through another route, please check this for yourself.

The International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA) is a professional body for Somatic Movement Education and Therapy and they maintain a professional registry of qualified practitioners –https://ismeta.org/.

Soft Tissue Therapy is the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments. According to the Association for Soft Tissue Therapists or SMA, soft tissue therapy may: improve circulation and lymphatic flow, assist in the removal of metabolic waste, sedate or stimulate nerve endings, increase or decrease muscle tone and length, remodel scar tissue, and/or assist in mental preparation for sporting participation.

The techniques used by sports massage practitioners have been developed to ensure that effective and efficient results are gained from each massage session.

There is little protection around the use of the terms; ‘Sports Massage Therapist’, ‘Soft Tissue Therapist’, or ‘Remedial Massage Therapist’ as titles, therefore it is important to choose an appropriately qualified and accredited practitioner. The SMA has some more helpful information about this on their website.

Further, the SMA, as well as The Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage, the Council for Soft Tissue Therapies (GCMT) and the Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), all regulate their members in terms of approved education courses, insurance, first aid training, CPD, adherence to codes of conduct, and have complaints procedures in place. Sports Massage Therapists listed on One Dance UK’s Healthcare Practitioners Directory must be a member of one of the professional bodies listed above.

Various levels of qualification exist within Sports Massage Therapy (QCF) courses. Level 3 courses generally only qualify individuals to give soft tissue treatment to healthy clients with no contraindications. At Level 4, practitioners are unable to give homecare or deal with complex illness/ injury such as post-surgery clients. To ensure standardisation of quality, as well as a high level of knowledge and appropriate treatment options for dancers, seek a fully insured and regulated practitioner with a Level 5 qualification.

Sports Therapy utilises the principles of sport and exercise sciences to focus on the prevention of injury, and the rehabilitation of the athlete/dancer back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports/dance specific fitness, regardless of age and ability.

Sports Therapists diagnose and treat injuries and can plan and implement appropriate rehabilitation and return to training/work programmes. Additionally, biomechanical analysis is undertaken to identify the underlying cause of the injury, following which a range of techniques (including mobilisations, massage, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy) may be used to ensure that the injury is fully rehabilitated.

There is little protection around the use of ‘Sports Therapist’ as a title, therefore it is important to choose an appropriately qualified and accredited practitioner. When looking for a Sports Therapist, dancers are advised to ensure that the practitioner is a ‘graduate’ Sports Therapist with a BSc (Hons) qualification – (Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Therapy or Sports and Dance Therapy).

It is also important to check that the practitioner is fully insured, and an accredited Member of The Society of Sports Therapists (MSST). Sports Therapists may also be accredited by the Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), which also applies stringent checks in terms of training, qualification and insurance. All Sports Therapists listed on One Dance UK’s Healthcare Practitioners Directory must meet the requirements listed above.

Yoga originated in India 5000 years ago. It provides a holistic approach to body, mind and spirit. Today yoga is popular for health and fitness, for seeking relief from a specific condition or to assist in managing stress. There are a great variety of styles from the very dramatic, fast paced Astanga to the much softer release based Scaravelli approach.

The British Wheel of Yoga is the largest association in the UK and is recognised by the Sports Council as the national governing body for yoga in the UK. Yoga Teachers may also be accredited by the Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) which applies stringent checks in terms of training, qualification and insurance.