FAQs

The examination consists of two components: a written examination and a practical examination (Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

The written component consists of best-of-5 multiple-choice questions which will assess your clinical knowledge and will include an open-book paper assessing your familiarity with the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct.

The OSCE will assess a range of practical skills. For more information on the format, please refer to section 6 of the guidance document.

CDs are subject to additional legal requirements as they have been identified as at risk of abuse or misuse. For acute conditions, the maximum quantity of CDs prescribed should not exceed 30 days’ worth; exceptionally, to cover a justifiable clinical need and after consideration of any risk, a prescription can be issued for a longer period, but the reasons for the decision should be recorded in the animal’s clinical notes.

If more than 30 days’ worth of treatment is prescribed, the prescribing veterinary surgeon must be sure that the owner is competent to use the medicine safely.

Please see the Controlled Drugs Guidance – A to Z for more information on prescribing for chronic conditions.

Please refer to the document: 'BSAVA/RCVS position statement' in the 'Related documents' box, at the bottom of this page.

The RCVS exists to set, uphold and advance veterinary standards. In relation to undergraduate veterinary education, the RCVS sets the ‘Day One Competences’ that need to be achieved by all students prior to graduation and we set the standards that degree programmes need to meet in order for them to be accredited by us.

View the list of modules.

This is periodically updated, as new modules become available. 

The qualification is the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP).

The examination guidance includes an extensive reading list covering the main subject areas, links to websites that give information about current legislation of relevance to veterinary surgeons, as well as some recommended veterinary journals and publications.

Candidates are eligible for a special RCVS Knowledge library membership category. 

Confirmed exam candidates will be given access to a formative quiz containing 110 questions in the same format and of the same standard you will be faced with in the written examination, this will be provided in the run up to the final exam dates.

• Details of any travel and/or accommodation arrangements
• Details of the hearing venue
• Telephone number for the RCVS solicitor and venue (in case you are delayed)
• Reading glasses (if needed)
• A book or some other activity for whilst you are waiting to give evidence

You will be provided with refreshments on the day. A copy of your witness statement will also be available in the hearing room.

You do not need to do anything particular to prepare for the hearing as giving evidence is not intended to be a memory test and you are not expected to learn your statement by heart. However, before the hearing you will receive a copy of your signed witness statement and any exhibits attached to it. We recommend re-reading your statement before the hearing, to refresh your memory and check for any changes. If there are any changes (e.g. your role or place of work has changed), please let us know.

You might also receive a version of your statement which has been redacted (black boxes over some of the text). This is because, when the statement is initially taken, it might be quite broad in scope. However, the issues might have narrowed once the matter reaches the hearing stage and it may be unfair to have this information in the statement if it is no longer relevant. This is relatively common so is nothing to worry about it and by receiving both copies, you will be able to compare and contrast the redacted version against the original version.

Finally, you will need to make travel (and possibly accommodation) arrangements in advance. If you need any help with this, please let us know. Details on what can be claimed and up to what amount will be provided separately.

Currently a one-year President chairs Council and takes on a huge range of other tasks. It is pitched at one year as it would be hard for someone in practice to take more than a year out of their busy working lives and this ensures diversity.

However, greater continuity would be very helpful for the governance role of Chair of Council, who works closely with the CEO and wider executive team.

Separating the chair of Council from the Presidency would create the potential for longer terms for chairs. It may also increase the number of candidates for both positions – some candidates may not feel that they have the time or skillsets to be both the public face of an organisation and an effective chair.