A veterinary nurse taking observations on a sedated cat

Accrediting veterinary nursing qualifications

If you want to work as a veterinary nurse in the UK, you must be on the Register of Veterinary Nurses, which we maintain. To join the Register, veterinary nurses must hold a qualification from a university or awarding organisation accredited by the RCVS.

The standards for accrediting these qualifications, and the institutions that offer them, are set by the Veterinary Nurses Council, the RCVS body responsible for veterinary nurse education and training.

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Why do we set standards?

The RCVS has a statutory responsibility to regulate the professional education of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses. To protect the interests of both the public and animal welfare, we set the standards for veterinary nurse education and training.

By accrediting veterinary nursing qualifications and the institutions that deliver them, we help ensure that those joining the Register of Veterinary Nurses have the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to practise safely and effectively in the UK.

The accreditation process

For an academic institution to gain RCVS accreditation, it must complete an eight-stage process. Once accredited, the institution can provide training that leads to a recognised veterinary nurse qualification, enabling graduates to register as vet nurses.

The eight stages are:

Process stages	Action
Stage 1	Contact the RCVS at least one year before the first student cohort is registered for the qualification. Submit draft plans for design, delivery, assessment and quality assurance, together with a timeline for implementation.
Stage 2	RCVS representatives meet with key staff from the awarding organisation and the higher education institution to discuss the proposal and agree a timeline.
Stage 3	The accreditation application and supporting documentation submitted to the RCVS at least four weeks before the approval meeting or validation event.
Stage 4	An accreditation meeting or validation event takes place.
Stage 5	The RCVS provides a draft report to the awarding organisation within one month of the event.
Stage 6	The RCVS Veterinary Nurse Education Committee considers the report and confirms accreditation status.
Stage 7	The awarding organisation and the higher education institution are informed of the outcome.
Stage 8	Ongoing annual quality monitoring begins.

Our accreditation standards

The RCVS Standards Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training sets out the values, knowledge, skills, and behaviours that all veterinary nurse training providers must follow. It allows higher education institutions and training sites to run flexible and innovative programmes while ensuring the education provided is high-quality, safe for animals, and protects the public.

Accredited institutions must meet these standards and provide veterinary nursing students with a safe, hands-on clinical experience, preparing them to practise confidently from Day One.

Download the RCVS Standards Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training

Apply to become accredited

Higher education institutions seeking accreditation must complete the form: 'Application for accreditation or re-accreditation of an Awarding Organisation or Higher Education Institution awarding veterinary nursing qualifications'.

To request an electronic version of the form, please contact the Veterinary Nursing department by phone on 020 7202 0788 or by email at [email protected]. We will also provide you with a copy of the latest Accreditation Standards.

Details of our current accreditation fee can be found on our Fees page.

Accredited vet nurse training providers

Explore the accreditation reports for higher education institutions delivering veterinary nurse programmes that meet our standards.

See the RCVS-approved institutions

The RCVS accreditation panel

Accreditation visits to UK veterinary nurse training providers happen every five years. We are keen to expand our pool of panel members and invite vet nurses who have not previously participated to apply to join the panel and help ensure veterinary nurse education meets the highest standards.

Find out more