DDon’t Do It: 4 Risks of Practising Outside Your Scope of Practice

Your IICT insurance is a vital safety net, but it’s only effective when you operate within your approved modalities and approved scope of practice. 

In the complementary therapy profession, your role as a practitioner is built on trust and integrity. Your clients trust you to provide safe, effective and ethical care – right? But as every professional knows, even with the best intentions, things can go wrong. That’s why Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance are essential.

What many complementary therapy practitioners don’t realise is that your insurance coverage only protects you for the specific modalities you have been approved for within your IICT membership. Working outside your approved scope, even slightly, can leave you personally liable for any claims that arise.

Understanding this distinction between your training, membership and insurance coverage isn’t just a technicality – it’s a must-know when it comes to your professional responsibility. This technicality is also why IICT exists. We are here to keep you protected no matter where you are on your journey.

What your IICT membership actually covers

IICT provides access to insurance coverage through our trusted insurance partners, who have designed policies specifically for complementary therapy practitioners. This coverage helps protect you against claims that may arise from professional practice such as allegations of negligence, injury or breach of duty. Let’s look at an example.

You’ve studied Reiki II, sound healing, breathwork and aromatherapy. When you apply for IICT membership, your application is approved for Reiki II, sound healing, and breathwork. However, aromatherapy is not included in your approval.

If you offer aromatherapy to a client – even if you have done a course – and that client files a claim, your IICT Insurance policy will not cover you for that incident. You would be personally responsible for any legal defence costs, settlements or damages.

This distinction matters because IICT membership approval and insurance coverage go hand-in-hand. You are only insured for the modalities listed on your IICT membership certificate, that meet the IICT minimum training requirements.

Scope of practice – what it really means

The concept of scope of practice is central to professional protection. Your scope of practice includes the course content of your approved modalities on your IICT Membership.

In simple terms:

• Your training determines what you are qualified to do.
• Your IICT Membership determines what you are covered to do.

Just because you’ve attended a workshop or have informal experience in a new technique doesn’t mean you can safely offer it to clients. Unless that modality has been submitted to and approved by IICT as part of your membership, it falls outside your insured scope of practice. Still with me? This is an important step.

Four risks of practising outside your coverage

Practising outside your covered scope can expose you to significant professional and financial risks. Such as:

1. You may not be insured if a claim arises

Insurance policies are legally binding contracts. If a client alleges injury or negligence related to a service not listed under your approved modalities, your insurer can lawfully deny the claim.

2. You could face personal financial liability

Without coverage, you would need to pay out-of-pocket for any legal fees, settlements or compensation. Depending on the nature of the claim, these costs could be substantial and potentially threaten your livelihood.

3. It could damage your professional credibility

Working outside your approved scope not only breaches insurance terms but can also breach professional ethics. It may harm your reputation with clients and within the broader complementary therapy community.

4. You may jeopardise your IICT membership

IICT membership is built on professional integrity and compliance. Practitioners who operate outside their approved scope risk membership termination.

Three common misconceptions about coverage

Misunderstandings about membership and insurance are common, particularly among multi-modality practitioners. Let’s address a few:

Myth 1: “I’m a full member, so I’m covered for everything I do.”

Not true. Your IICT membership gives you recognition for the modalities you’re approved for, but it does not automatically cover every therapy you’ve studied. You are only insured for the modalities listed on your membership certificate.

Myth 2: “I’m qualified in the modality, so I’m automatically insured.”

Qualification alone is not enough. You must submit your qualification to IICT for review and receive approval before that modality becomes part of your insured practice.

Myth 3: “My insurance covers all complementary therapies.”

IICT’s group insurance policy is tailored for members but remains modality-specific. Each modality must be recognised and approved by IICT in order for coverage to apply.

How to ensure you’re covered

Maintaining appropriate coverage doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, at IICT, it is our job to make this process simple! Here are some practical steps to keep your professional protection current and compliant.

1. Review your membership certificate regularly

Your approved modalities are listed on your insurance certificate of currency and in your IICT Member Portal. Check that all therapies you offer are included.

2. Submit additional modalities for approval

If you complete new training or wish to expand your offerings, you can easily apply to add new modalities to your membership. IICT’s team will assess your qualifications and confirm if the modality is recognised and insurable.

3. Maintain clear client communication

Be transparent about your qualifications and the services you provide. Never advertise or deliver a therapy that is not part of your approved list of modalities.

4. Keep your training documentation on file

Always retain copies of your qualifications, certificates and course outlines. These may be required for verification if a claim arises or when applying for new modality coverage.

5. Stay informed through IICT updates

IICT regularly reviews and updates its list of approved modalities. Staying up to date ensures you remain aligned with current industry standards and insurance eligibility.

Why staying within scope protects you and your clients

Following your approved scope of practice isn’t just about insurance compliance – it’s about professionalism, ethics and client safety.

When you operate within your approved modalities, you:

• Uphold your duty of care to clients.
• Maintain the integrity of the complementary therapy profession.
• Strengthen public trust in natural and holistic healthcare.
• Demonstrate accountability and commitment to safe practice.

Your insurance is there to protect you, but it can only do so when you protect yourself by working within your approved scope.

We’re all in this together

At IICT, we take professional protection seriously. Our partnership with leading insurance providers ensures members can access affordable, comprehensive cover tailored to their approved modalities. But ultimately, the responsibility rests with each practitioner to ensure their practice remains within their approved scope.

By staying informed, transparent and compliant, you protect your livelihood and the reputation of the entire natural therapy community.

Remember this:

• You are only covered for modalities approved by IICT
• Practising outside your scope means you are not insured
• Qualification alone does not equal coverage – you must apply for approval and meet minimum training requirements
• Regularly review and update your membership to include new modalities

When in doubt, contact the IICT Member Service Team for clarification before offering a new therapy or modality. It’s always better to confirm your coverage than risk being unprotected.