Overseas-qualified veterinary nurses

Application to assess an overseas veterinary nursing qualification

This assessment is to determine an applicant's eligibility to be included on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.

1. In order to work as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in the UK, an applicant who has trained outside the UK will be required to apply for consideration of their qualification in comparison with the UK qualification before registration as a UK veterinary nurse can take place.

Please note a qualified veterinary surgeon who does not also hold an appropriate veterinary nursing qualification may not apply for registration since training and competencies are significantly different.

Applicants can download an application pack (PDF 162Kb) or request one from the Veterinary Nursing Department.

Applicants will be required to submit the following information (in some cases using standard application forms contained in the pack):

• A copy of their certificate for their professional qualification (we will need to witness the original certificate prior to their name being entered onto the Register of Veterinary Nurses)

• A copy of their birth and, if applicable, marriage certificates.

• A statement of their relevant employment experience, with dates, to include a description of the nature of work undertaken by the applicant in veterinary nursing practice.

• A statement of verification by their employer(s).

• A copy of the national syllabus for veterinary nursing in their country (if applicable)

• A transcript of education and training undertaken in order to gain their present qualifications.

• Official confirmation from their regulatory body of their current status as a Veterinary Nurse

• An application fee (the fee for 2010 is £100.00)

• Any of the above documents which are not written in English must be accompanied by an officially certified translation.

2. The evidence provided by the applicant will be compared with the competencies laid down in the Veterinary Nursing Occupational Standards. The assessment of qualifications will take place in consultation with the Qualifications Review Officer.

3. Where evidence demonstrates that an applicant substantially possesses the knowledge and skills to practise as a veterinary nurse in the UK, he/she will be invited to apply to enter the Register of Veterinary Nurses. This will involve completion of a Registering application and payment of the initial listing fee of £98.00. A card will be issued confirming the Registration. An annual retention fee is payable by all Registered veterinary nurses.

4. Where the proffered evidence falls short of the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a veterinary nurse in the UK, the applicant will be required to undertake compensatory measures before being admitted to the list. The applicant may be required to enrol as a veterinary nurse student. Following successful completion of any required additional training and assessment, the applicant will be able to apply to enter the Register of Veterinary Nurses. Where the evidence indicates that the qualification obtained by the applicant does not equate in any way to the UK qualification, the applicant will be required to obtain employment as a veterinary nurse student in an approved Training and Assessment Practice, and to complete the full course of training and assessments in order to be eligible for Registration as a veterinary nurse.

5. The time taken to process an application from receipt of all the required documentation from the applicant is approximately 6 - 8 weeks.

6. Applicants should note that Registration as a Veterinary Nurse does not confer the automatic right to work in the UK, and applicants should ensure that they arrange whatever work permits are required.

7. Please contact the Veterinary Nursing Department if there are any queries.