Accrediting veterinary nursing qualifications

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.

RCVS accreditation provides ongoing assurance that standards are maintained, while also supporting the continuous improvement of veterinary nursing education.

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.

The RCVS Standards Framework for Veterinary Nurse Education and Training covers six key areas:

• Learning Culture
• Governance and Quality
• Student Empowerment
• Educators and Assessors
• Curricula and Assessment
• Effective Clinical Learning 

All accredited qualifications must also cover the RCVS Day One Competences, Skills and Behaviours for Veterinary Nurses. 

RCVS accreditation panel members visit AEIs regularly through accreditation events. These visits assess whether programmes meet our accreditation standards and identify areas for improvement where necessary.  

Each programme undergoes an accreditation event every five years, in line with the approved accreditation period.  Accreditations may be undertaken sooner if required by the annual monitoring process, notification of substantial changes to the programme, or if the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Education Committee recommended a shorter accreditation period following the previous event.

More information relating the standards, the accreditation process and the role of the Veterinary Nurse Education Committee can be found in the VN accreditations and quality monitoring Academy course. We are always seeking new panel members, so please do contact us if you are interested in this role.

Institutions seeking accreditation must contact our Veterinary Nursing department by phone on 020 7202 0788 or by email at [email protected]. A member of the team will explain the process and arrange the necessary meetings. We will also provide you with a copy of the latest Standards.  

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