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Short answer
At international level, the principal reference document is the 2010 standards of the World Health Organization. For those without a medical education, training of usually 4 years and approximately 4200 hours is envisaged (Type I); for healthcare professionals such as doctors and physiotherapists, usually approximately 1000 hours of training (Type II). The right to practise the profession is determined by each country’s own legislation.
Osteopathic training differs from country to country. At international level, the principal reference document is the osteopathic training standards published by the World Health Organization in 2010.
Two training models
The WHO describes two pathways of osteopathic training:
| Model | Who it is for | Duration and volume |
|---|---|---|
| Type I | People without a medical education who have completed secondary school | Usually 4 years of full-time study, approximately 4200 hours, including at least 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice |
| Type II | Professionals who have already trained in a healthcare field, for example doctors and physiotherapists | The aim and content are the same, but the duration is adapted to the previous training, usually approximately 1000 hours |
Type II graduates must demonstrate the same competencies as Type I graduates.
What must an osteopath be able to do?
The WHO document lists 12 core competencies. These include the history and philosophy of osteopathy, the basic medical sciences, differential diagnosis and treatment planning, palpation, physical examination, the interpretation of imaging and laboratory results, biomechanics, a thorough knowledge of indications and contraindications, and the critical appraisal of the scientific literature.
In Europe
The European Committee for Standardization’s standard EN 16686:2015 defines the requirements for osteopathic services, training and professional ethics. This standard is voluntary and does not confer a licence. In Germany, for example, the part-time programme of Osteopathie Schule Deutschland lasts 4 years and comprises approximately 1350 contact hours.
Recognition of the diploma
Osteopathy is a legally regulated profession in only a few countries. Wherever you intend to work, find out that country’s requirements in advance. A brief overview by country is given on the “What is osteopathy?” page.
Sources
- World Health Organization (2010). Benchmarks for training in osteopathy. ISBN 978-92-4-159966-5. who.int (opens in a new window)
- EN 16686:2015. Osteopathic healthcare provision (European standard). sis.se (opens in a new window)
- Osteopathie Schule Deutschland — part-time osteopathy training osteopathie-schule.de (opens in a new window)
- German association of osteopathy schools (BAO) — OSD profile bao-osteopathie.de (opens in a new window)
This article is for educational purposes and does not replace a physician's advice.