SOC (Standards of Care)

The Standards of Care, or SOC, are international clinical guidelines published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). They give health professionals evidence-informed guidance for supporting transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse people across the lifespan, covering mental health, hormone therapy, surgery, voice and communication, reproductive health, and primary care. First released in 1979, the guidelines have been revised repeatedly, with the eighth version (SOC-8) published in September 2022. SOC-8 was the first developed using a formal evidence-based method, and successive editions have shifted toward more patient-centered, affirming care. Clinicians, insurers, and health systems worldwide reference the SOC when planning gender-affirming treatment.