FAQs

One of the DC Clerks will come collect you when you have been called to give your evidence. You will enter the room and be directed to the witness chair. The first thing that will happen is that everyone will be introduced to you. You will then be asked whether you wish to swear an oath on a religious text or take a non-religious affirmation (it does not matter which one you choose). You will then be asked to repeat the words of the oath or affirmation after the Legal Assessor.

Once you have taken your oath/affirmation, the RCVS barrister will address you. You will usually be asked to confirm your name and that the document in front of you is your witness statement. You will then be asked if you have had the opportunity to read your statement recently and whether there are any changes to be made (e.g. name or job role changes). This is why we ask that you let us know about any possible changes in advance. Finally, you will be asked to confirm whether the statement is true to the best of your knowledge and belief. That then concludes your evidence for the RCVS. This is because your written witness statement (and any oral evidence) is your primary evidence, and everyone involved in the hearing will already be familiar with it.

In order to apply you will need to upload a copy of the identifying pages of your valid passport or EU ID card.

If you do not have a valid passport or EU ID card to hand, then please proceed with your application and we will contact you and ask you to provide alternative ID.

If you are unsure whether premises must be registered, please contact the Registration Department on [email protected] or 020 7202 0707 for further guidance. We may liaise with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate before providing further guidance.

If the period of absence of the VetGDP Adviser is known in advance, for example maternity leave, arrangements should be made for a replacement VetGDP Adviser during the period of absence. If the change is sudden or unplanned, for example serious illness or the VetGDP Adviser leaves without notice, you will need to find a replacement and support them to complete the online training as quickly as possible.

The practice will not be able to take on a new graduate until the VetGDP Adviser has been replaced and trained.

A designated certificate is a specific modular route leading to a named qualification - for example CertAVP (Equine Stud Medicine) or CertAVP (Small Animal Practice). To obtain a designated certificate, you will need to choose your modules carefully from a limited list. Most designated certificates will also require a separate final assessment (synoptic assessment) once all the modules have been passed.

Applicants must provide evidence of their good standing.  There are two ways you can provide this. 

If you are registered as a veterinary nurse elsewhere then you must ask the organisation you are registered with to provide a ‘Letter or Certificate of good standing’.  They will confirm that you:

• are or have been registered with them as a veterinary nurse;
• have not been the subject of any disciplinary enquiries and that there are no disciplinary findings against you.

If you are unable to provide a ‘Letter or Certificate of good standing’, you will need to demonstrate evidence of your good standing by completing an affidavit or declaration. 

The affidavit or declaration is made by you on oath, or in solemn form, before a competent judicial or administrative authority or notary public. The affidavit will confirm:

• The school and date you obtained your qualification;
• The specific reason you are not currently registered with a regulatory authority outside the UK eg there is no regulator authority equivalent to the RCVS in the country you trained in;
• You have not been found guilty of serious professional misconduct or employment disciplinary proceedings in the UK or elsewhere;
• You have not been convicted of any criminal offences in the UK or elsewhere.

A T28 exemption certificate is what practices need in order to be able to denature controlled drugs for disposal in compliance with the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Practices can register for the exemption online through the Environment Agency here. Some corporate bodies will register all their practices, and other practices will need to do so on an individual basis. The registration process is free of charge and lasts for 3 years.

Having a T28 certificate does not change the requirements for witnessed destruction.

Find a Vet is one of the leading online veterinary practice databases with around 15,000 searches for practices made every month. If your premises is open to the public, a basic Find A Vet listing will be created for you when you register (unless you choose otherwise). Find A Vet is not an exhaustive list of all premises on the Register of Veterinary Practice Premises (RVPP).

To update your details on Find a Vet, please email [email protected].

The annual renewal for vets is due for completion by 1 April each year.

The annual renewal for VNs is due for completion by 1 November each year.

Vets: If you pay your fee after 30 April the fee amount will increase by £35.00.  If the fee is not received in full by 31 May your name will be removed from the Register. Should you, at any point, need to restore your name to the Register then you will need to pay an additional restoration fee.

VNs: If you pay your fee after 1 November, the fee amount will not change. However, if we have not received your payment or confirmation of your registration by 1 January your name will be removed from the Register of Veterinary Nurses.

It is illegal to practise in the UK whilst your name is not on the Register, and any professional indemnity insurance may also be invalidated. You will no longer be able to use the post nominals MRCVS or RVN.

Should you, at any point, need to restore your name to the Register then you will need to pay an additional restoration fee.

The CertAVN will allow RVNs to gain an accredited qualification at graduate level, whereas the DipAVN was at undergraduate level.

The CertAVN also comprises fewer credits allowing for a potentially shorter programme and more specific modular content.