Free tool · Regulatory perimeter
Do I need FCA authorisation?
Describe your business in plain English. Get a tailored, source-backed view of the regulated activities involved, the rules to consider and what to do next.
- Free initial assessment
- FCA Handbook references
- No email required
Tell us what your business does
What do you sell, who are your customers, and how do you earn revenue? There is no need to know the regulatory terminology.
Try our separate authorisation readiness checker to explore how prepared your firm is to apply.
MEMA Scope gives an initial view from published FCA material. It is not legal advice or an FCA determination. Automatic matching and typed questions use AI only to choose a profile and to answer from vetted guidance; the assessment itself is never written by AI.
Businesses we check
MEMA Scope covers 32 common business models. Each page explains whether that kind of business may need FCA authorisation, the rules to look at and the routes to consider.
Consumer credit
- Do car dealers offering finance need FCA authorisation?
- Do motor finance brokers need FCA authorisation?
- Do retailers offering buy now pay later need FCA authorisation?
- Do consumer lenders need FCA authorisation?
- Do debt collectors and debt administrators need FCA authorisation?
- Do debt management and debt advice firms need FCA authorisation?
- Do credit lead generators and comparison sites need FCA authorisation?
- Do rent-to-own and vehicle leasing providers need FCA authorisation?
- Do credit brokers introducing customers to lenders need FCA authorisation?
Payments and e-money
- Do payments apps and payment processors need FCA authorisation?
- Do small payment institutions need FCA authorisation?
- Do e-money issuers and digital wallets need FCA authorisation?
- Do agents of payment institutions need FCA authorisation?
- Do open banking providers need FCA authorisation?
- Do money transfer and remittance businesses need FCA authorisation?
- Do marketplaces handling payments need FCA authorisation?
Insurance
Mortgages
Investments and wealth
- Do financial advisers need FCA authorisation?
- Do discretionary investment managers need FCA authorisation?
- Do investment platforms and wealth-tech firms need FCA authorisation?
- Do crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending platforms need FCA authorisation?
- Do corporate finance boutiques need FCA authorisation?
Other regulated activities
- Do claims management companies need FCA authorisation?
- Do funeral plan providers and sellers need FCA authorisation?
- Do introducers and referral partners need FCA authorisation?
- Do international firms entering the UK need FCA authorisation?
- Do accountants and solicitors giving financial advice need FCA authorisation?
Why This Tool Exists
Operating outside the FCA's regulatory perimeter, or inside it without authorisation, is a criminal offence under s19 FSMA (the general prohibition). Many businesses unknowingly carry on regulated activities, particularly in areas like credit broking, insurance distribution, and payment services. This tool gives an initial view of whether your activities are likely to require FCA authorisation before it becomes an enforcement issue.
How to Use This Tool
Describe your business
Type a plain-English description or pick an example. MEMA Scope matches it to one of 30+ vetted business profiles, or you can choose your business type from the list.
Review your initial assessment
See the activities that may require authorisation, why they were flagged, the route to consider (full or limited permission, appointed representative or registration) and the RAO, PERG and Handbook references behind them.
Refine and ask Compass
Answer Yes/No questions to refine the view, ask MEMA Compass follow-up questions answered only from vetted guidance, then email yourself a PDF or book a free scoping call.
Common Mistakes This Tool Prevents
Assuming an activity is unregulated because no money changes hands directly
How this tool helps: Lists arranging and advising as regulated activities in their own right, even where no money changes hands directly
Relying on exclusions that don't actually apply to the firm's specific circumstances
How this tool helps: Points you to the PERG and RAO references so you can check whether an exclusion could apply, and to the written review for a reasoned view
Not recognising that introducing customers to financial products is credit broking
How this tool helps: Lists introducing and presenting credit agreements as credit broking, with the RAO Art.36A reference
Failing to update the perimeter assessment when the business model changes
How this tool helps: Lets you re-run the activity mapping whenever your activities change
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need FCA authorisation?
You need FCA authorisation if you carry on a regulated activity by way of business in the UK and no exemption or exclusion applies. Regulated activities are set out in the Regulated Activities Order (RAO) and include dealing, arranging, advising, managing, lending, and operating payment or e-money services. MEMA Scope maps your business model to the perimeter to give an initial view of whether authorisation may be required.
What is the FCA regulatory perimeter?
The regulatory perimeter is the boundary between activities that require FCA authorisation and those that do not. It is defined by FSMA, the RAO, and the FCA's Perimeter Guidance manual (PERG). Whether you fall inside the perimeter depends on the specific activity, the instruments involved, and whether you act by way of business.
What happens if I operate without authorisation?
Carrying on a regulated activity without authorisation breaches the general prohibition in section 19 FSMA. It is a criminal offence punishable by up to two years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine, and agreements made in the course of unauthorised business may be unenforceable.
Is the MEMA Scope assessment written by AI?
No. The assessment is built from vetted business profiles that MEMA has checked against FCA and legislation sources. AI is used only to match your description to a profile and to answer follow-up questions from vetted guidance, with a source cited and a second check on every answer. If AI is unavailable you can choose a profile yourself.
Is the result an FCA determination?
No. MEMA Scope gives an initial view based on published FCA material and what you tell it. Only the FCA can decide whether a particular firm needs authorisation, and exclusions often depend on the detail of your arrangements. For a reasoned written view, use MEMA's written perimeter review or book a free scoping call.
Need Perimeter Advice?
Our regulatory experts can conduct a detailed perimeter analysis for your business, advise on whether you need authorisation, identify the right permissions, and guide you through the application process.
Need a written answer on your actual model?
The free self-check gives an initial indication. MEMA's consultant-led review examines your activities and evidence, then records the permissions reasoning and next steps. Fixed fee: £3,000. Price includes an amount for VAT; a VAT invoice will follow once our VAT number is issued. Subject to agreed scope.
Phone: 0330 133 0811
Email: contact@memaconsultants.com