· Team Care Compliance · CQC Compliance · 6 min read
CQC Registration Costs: A Realistic Breakdown for 2026
Planning to register with CQC? Here's a detailed breakdown of the actual costs you'll face in 2026, from application fees to insurance and training.
If you are planning to start a care business in 2026, one of the first questions you probably have is: how much does CQC registration actually cost? The answer is not as straightforward as a single fee. Beyond the CQC application itself, there are several necessary costs that many new providers overlook.
In this article, I am going to give you actual figures so you can budget properly. No vague advice about “planning your finances” - just the real numbers you need to know.
CQC Application Fee
The CQC charges a standard application fee for new provider registrations. As of 2026, the fee is £1,522 for a new provider application. This covers the CQC’s assessment of your application, including their review of your policies, procedures, and fitness to be a registered provider.
This fee is non-refundable, even if your application is unsuccessful. Getting your application right the first time matters, which is why many providers seek professional support.
DBS Checks
Every person working in your care business who has contact with service users must have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For care roles, you will need enhanced DBS checks with a check of the adults’ barred list.
Current costs:
- Enhanced DBS check: £38 per person (standard government fee)
- ID verification through an umbrella body: approximately £10-15 per check
- Total per person: approximately £48-53
As a registered manager, you will need a DBS check yourself. For a typical small domiciliary care start-up with 5-10 initial staff members, budget around £250-530 for DBS checks in your first phase of recruitment.
If you plan to use the DBS Update Service (which allows portable checks), that is an additional £13 per year per person, but it can save money in the long run.
Training Costs
CQC expects all care staff to complete mandatory training before they begin delivering care. The specific requirements depend on your service type, but there are several core courses everyone needs.
Mandatory training typically includes:
- Safeguarding Adults and Children: £20-50 per person
- Moving and Handling: £40-80 per person
- First Aid (1-day emergency): £60-100 per person
- Medication Administration: £40-80 per person
- Health and Safety: £15-30 per person
- Infection Prevention and Control: £15-30 per person
- Food Hygiene (if applicable): £20-40 per person
Total per staff member: approximately £210-410
For a small team of 5-10 care workers, expect to spend between £1,050 and £4,100 on initial training. Some training can be completed online at lower cost, while practical courses like moving and handling typically require in-person sessions.
The Care Certificate, which all new care workers should complete within 12 weeks of starting, can be delivered in-house but requires significant time investment from your registered manager. Our training and development service can help you design and deliver compliant training programmes that meet CQC expectations.
Insurance
Operating a care business without proper insurance is not an option. You will need several types of cover before you begin delivering services.
Required insurance:
- Public Liability Insurance (minimum £5 million cover): £300-600 per year
- Employers’ Liability Insurance (legal minimum £5 million): £200-400 per year
- Professional Indemnity Insurance: £250-500 per year
Total insurance costs: approximately £750-1,500 per year
These figures are for a small start-up domiciliary care provider. Costs increase with the size of your operation and the complexity of care you provide. Residential care homes with premises will pay significantly more.
Policies and Procedures
CQC registration requires a full set of policies and procedures covering all aspects of care delivery. You have three options here:
Option 1: Write them yourself Cost: Your time (considerable) Risk: High chance of gaps or non-compliance
Option 2: Purchase a policy pack Cost: £200-500 for a complete pack Our policy pack store offers CQC-compliant templates that you can customise for your service.
Option 3: Commission bespoke policies Cost: £1,000-3,000 for a full set of customised policies This is the most expensive option but provides policies tailored specifically to your service model.
Most new providers opt for a quality policy pack and then customise it, which offers the best balance of cost and compliance.
Premises Costs (If Applicable)
If you are starting a residential care home or need an office base, premises costs add significantly to your budget.
Domiciliary care (home-based office):
- No significant additional premises costs required
- May need to ensure home office meets data protection requirements
Domiciliary care (commercial office):
- Office rental: £300-800 per month depending on location
- Utilities and business rates: £100-300 per month
- Basic office setup: £500-2,000 one-off
Residential care home:
- Property purchase or lease: Highly variable, typically £200,000-500,000+ to purchase, or £3,000-10,000+ per month to lease
- Renovation to meet CQC standards: £20,000-100,000+
- Fire safety systems, accessible bathrooms, and other requirements add substantially to costs
For residential care, premises costs will dwarf all other expenses. Many new providers start with domiciliary care for this reason.
Registration Timeline and Associated Costs
CQC aims to process applications within 12 weeks, but the reality can be longer. While you wait for approval, you cannot trade, which has cash flow implications.
Timeline-related costs to consider:
- 3-6 months of living expenses while not earning from the business
- Rent on premises (if applicable) during the registration period
- Staff costs if you hire before registration (not recommended)
- Professional support fees: £1,500-5,000 for full registration assistance
Working with a consultancy that specialises in CQC registration can reduce your timeline by helping you avoid common application errors that cause delays or rejections.
Total Budget Summary
For a small domiciliary care start-up in 2026, here is a realistic budget breakdown:
| Cost Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| CQC Application Fee | £1,522 | £1,522 |
| DBS Checks (5-10 staff) | £250 | £530 |
| Training (5-10 staff) | £1,050 | £4,100 |
| Insurance (Year 1) | £750 | £1,500 |
| Policy Pack | £200 | £500 |
| Office Setup | £500 | £2,000 |
| Professional Support | £1,500 | £5,000 |
| Contingency (10%) | £580 | £1,500 |
Total: £6,350 - £16,650
This does not include your personal living expenses during the registration period or ongoing operational costs once you start trading.
Getting It Right First Time
The CQC application fee is non-refundable, and a rejected application means starting again with another £1,522 fee. Many providers also underestimate the time commitment involved in preparing a compliant application.
At Team Care Compliance, we have supported hundreds of providers through CQC registration. Our Start a Care Business service provides end-to-end support, from initial planning through to successful registration. Once you are registered, preparing thoroughly for your CQC inspection is equally important—our mock inspections service helps you identify gaps before the real assessment.
If you are serious about starting a care business, investing in professional support often pays for itself by avoiding costly mistakes and reducing your time to registration. For more insight into the startup journey, read our guide on how to start a care company.
Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with our team to discuss your plans and get a clear picture of what your registration journey will involve.