The Conference of State Regions signed the framework agreement on the decree of equivalences in osteopathy. This marks a historic moment that, after nearly eight years, closes the process of Law 3/2018 and definitively establishes the profession of osteopaths in Italy.
The text of the agreement defines the criteria for recognizing prior credentials and establishes special lists for already trained professionals.
The ROI, through its president, Mauro Longobardi, expressed satisfaction at reaching the milestone.
The Changes
The changes, requested by the ROI, have been fully incorporated into the approved Agreement and concern:
- the maintenance of the special lists for as long as needed to ensure that all osteopaths, including new graduates and students still in training in private institutions, have the opportunity to complete the process to access the Professional Register;
- the reduction, for all professionals, from 1,500 to 1,000 hours of practical internship, in line with the hour load required for those with a health degree;
- the extension of the period within which the 36 months of professional activity can be accumulated: the new time window will include the 24 months following the publication of the Agreement in the Official Journal;
- the extension of the maximum tenure in the special lists from 36 months to 6 years, to ensure greater flexibility during the transitional phase;
- the possibility to recognize prior qualifications, such as other degrees, master’s degrees, or previously completed training paths, to reduce the 30 university credits for osteopaths who do not also hold a health degree; this pathway will allow professionals to obtain the Osteopathy degree.
The possibility of conducting integrative courses in asynchronous online mode would facilitate participation by working osteopaths. On this topic, the ROI will in the coming weeks take on presenting requests to the competent university bodies.
A Long Road
After the law 3/2018, the first milestone of the journey was achieved in 2021, with the recognition of osteopathy as a health profession and the publication of the related professional profile. In February 2024, another decisive step followed, with the publication in the Official Journal of the Interministerial Decree that defined, for the first time, the educational framework of the osteopathy degree program.
The final act of this long regulatory process is accomplished with the signing of the agreement on the equivalences of titles, which will now be adopted by a Decree of the Prime Minister, awaiting its final publication in the Official Journal.
«The entry of osteopathy into the perimeter of the National Health Service represents the consolidation of a process of integration that can develop gradually even in public contexts – says the ROI president, – recognizing the contribution of osteopaths to the prevention and promotion of health for citizens of every age, in a spirit of collaboration with other health professions».
Longobardi recalled ROI’s commitment to achieving full regulation of osteopathy, starting from the first hearing on June 12, 2014 before the Senate Hygiene and Health Committee.
«We can finally speak of a historic achievement. From today our mission and our commitment will be to accompany professionals, in close collaboration with the National Federation of the Orders TSRM and PSTRP, in a fair and orderly manner along the path that, through the special registries, will lead them to the Osteopaths’ Professional Register: their natural and sole guarantee of identity, representation and protection of the category.»
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