Statutory Membership Exam

If your qualification is not recognised by the RCVS you must sit and pass the RCVS Statutory Examination for Membership in order to register.

Statutory Membership Examination Guidance: please note that the guidance document was updated on 25 November 2019. The latest version can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

To find out if we recognise your qualification, look at our map and click on the country where your qualification was awarded. 

The first step in the examination process is to inform the RCVS of your intention to sit. 

For more information, please read the RCVS requirements for 'intention to sit' and 'seeing practice' forms.

RCVS English language competence requirements

You must meet our English language competence requirements before applying to sit our examination. Please refer to the 'Related documents' box at the bottom of this page, where further information is available to download.

If English is not your first, native language you will have to sit one of the following assessments:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

You must achieve a minimum overall band score of at least 7.0 in the Academic International English Testing System English Test, with a score of at least 7.0 in each of the four parts (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of the test.

• Occupational English Test (OET)

You must achieve at least a grade B in the listening, reading, writing and speaking sections of the veterinary version of this test.

Your test scores are valid for a period of 2 years from the date of your test. We do not accept scores from other English tests. You must send your IELTS test report form, or OET statement of results to the RCVS for verification.

For more information about these assessments and where you can sit the test, please visit the British Council website, the IELTS website, or the OET website.

If English is your first, native language you may apply for exemption from sitting an IELTS test. For details about how to apply, please send an email request to rcvsexam@rcvs.org.uk.

English Language Test – temporary policy change:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both IELTS and OET have suspended normal testing. Applicants for the 2021 diet of the Statutory Membership Examination may therefore enter the exam without taking the IELTS or OET. However, if you go on to pass the 2021 exam then you must provide valid IELTS/OET test results no later than one year after receiving your exam results. If you have not done so by the deadline, you will not be permitted to register and must re-enter the examination in a future diet.

You are strongly encouraged not to enter the 2021 diet of the Statutory Membership Examination unless you are confident that your English-language skills are strong enough to pass the IELTS or OET.

‘IELTS Indicator’ test results are not recognised by the RCVS for the purposes of sitting the Statutory Membership Examination. ‘OET@Home’ results from the veterinary version of the test will be accepted once that version of the test is released.

Preparing for the examination

It is your responsibility to prepare yourself for the examination. Please read our advice in the current examination guidance notes in the 'Related documents' box at the bottom of this page.

2020 Examination

The closing date for entry to the 2020 examination is 14 February 2020.

The dates and venues for the examinations are as follows:

The Registration Ceremony for successful candidates from the 2020 examination will be held at the RCVS in the autumn, with the exact date to be confirmed.

The guidance notes for the Statutory Examination, and information on the cycle of key dates for the Statutory Membership exam can be obtained by emailing rcvsexams@rcvs.org.uk.

Pass lists

Pass lists from 2006 onwards are available to view.

Contact us

If you have a query about the Statutory Examination for Membership, please contact us, stating where you qualified (university name and country) and the year in which you qualified.

E:  rcvsexam@rcvs.org.uk

T:  +44 (0)20 7050 1247

Address:  Statutory Examination for Membership, RCVS, 62-64 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AF