A range of complementary therapies such as homeopathy and aromatherapy are to be regulated by a new body.
The Natural HealthCare Council is due to begin work in April. Currently, anyone can offer a complementary medicine service.
The watchdog will set standards and have the power to strike off those deemed incompetent, although membership of the body will be voluntary. The Patients Association said the move to regulate was "welcome and overdue".
Is regulation really needed?
In an interview on BBC Radio 4 this afternoon, a spokesman for this new body said that the qualification criteria for admittance onto this 'voluntary' register will be 'severe' - his word, not mine. He also admitted that 'there isn't a problem with incompetent therapists', but that they are looking to put the robustness of qualifications for everyone involved in healthcare on the same footing.