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Government legislation

The RCVS regulates the veterinary profession in the UK in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Under the provisions of the Act the College;

  • keeps the Register of Veterinary Surgeons;
  • supervises the undergraduate education of veterinary students in the UK and advises on the recognition of UK veterinary degrees;
  • recognises certain veterinary qualifications awarded outside the EU; and
  • supervises the professional conduct of veterinary surgeons.

You can view a copy of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (as amended) here on the government's official website.

Government regulations and orders may also be viewed on the government's official website. The following are particularly relevant to the work of the College:

1) The Veterinary Surgeons (University Degrees) (Liverpool) Order of Council 1950, SI 1950/1110

2) The Veterinary Surgeons (University Degrees) (Bristol) Order of Council 1950, SI 1950/1301

3) The Veterinary Surgeons (University Degrees) (Glasgow) Order of Council 1951, SI 1951/571

4) The Veterinary Surgeons (University Degrees) (London) Order of Council 1952, SI 1952/959

5) The Veterinary Surgeons (University Degrees) (Edinburgh) Order of Council 1952, SI 1952/1602

6) The Veterinary Surgeons (University Degrees) (Cambridge) Order of Council 1953, SI 1953/404

7) The Veterinary Surgeons (Recognition of University Degree) (Nottingham) Order of Council 2011, SI 2011/1796

8) The Veterinary Surgeons (Agreement with the Republic of Ireland) Order 1988, SI 1988/784

9) Veterinary Surgeons' Qualifications (European Recognition) Order 2003, SI 2003/2919

10) The European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007, SI 2007/2781

11) The Veterinary Surgeons (Disciplinary Proceedings) Legal Assessor Rules 1967, SI 1967/684

12) The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations Order of Council 2014

13) The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations Order of Council 2020