Veterinary nurse pre-registration exams
This page explains what the RCVS pre-registration exams involve and how to apply.
Register as an overseas-qualified veterinary nurse
If you trained as a veterinary nurse overseas, you must register with the RCVS before practising in the UK. This page explains the registration process, from qualification assessment to joining the Register. It includes pathways for ACOVENE-accredited qualifications and other recognised programmes.
On this page
About registration
Why you need to register
You must be on the RCVS Register to practise veterinary nursing in the UK. This includes short periods of work, for example on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Who can apply
To be eligible for registration, you must provide evidence of the following:
- You hold a veterinary nursing qualification. This qualification must be recognised by the ministry of education in the country where you achieved it.
- Your qualification is similar in content to UK veterinary nursing qualifications.
- You have experience working in a veterinary practice and can work with minimal supervision. Experience could include time you spent working during your education.
- You are able to communicate effectively with clients in written and spoken English.
Before you move to the UK
We strongly advise against arriving in the UK before your registration is approved. You can seek employment while waiting for your application to be processed, but you should tell the employer that you’re not yet registered.
Work experience placements
In some circumstances you may be able to complete a short period of work experience in the UK while completing your studies. Email [email protected] to discuss your training and eligibility.
If you trained as a veterinary surgeon
If you trained as a veterinary surgeon, this does not make you eligible to register as a vet nurse in the UK. You must have a veterinary nursing qualification. Or you can apply to register as a vet.
The registration process
- Step 1 – Have your qualifications assessed
- Step 2 – Pass the pre-registration exam (if needed)
- Step 2 - Register
Step 1 – Have your qualifications assessed (Application Forms A and B)
Application Form A (all applicants)
The first step in registering for all applicants is to fill in Application Form A.
- This form asks for information about your qualification and your practical experience.
- You must submit certain documents with this form, including a letter of good standing. Section 9 of the form includes a checklist of required evidence.
- There is more information on how to fill in the form in the Form A guidance notes.
Application Form B
Application Form B is a more detailed form. You’ll be asked to provide evidence that your qualification covers certain skills and competences.
You do not have to fill in Application Form B if you hold a qualification from:
- A school that is accredited by the Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education (ACOVENE), unless your qualification was completed via distance learning.
- Certain schools in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, the USA or Zimbabwe. Check whether your qualification appears on the recognised list.
How to submit your form(s)
Your form(s) and supporting evidence should be submitted via email to [email protected].
We recommend you send large documents over several emails or use a file transfer programme. Do not send applications by post unless this is agreed with us in advance.
Assessment of qualifications fee
We charge a fee for assessing qualifications. After we’ve received your application, we’ll email you within three working days with payment details. You can pay your fee by credit or debit card, or by bank transfer. View our current fees to see how much you have to pay.
Application outcomes
You will receive an email confirming the outcome of your application up to eight weeks after you’ve applied. Decisions are valid for two years.
There are three possible outcomes of your application:
Accepted
This means your qualification is considered comparable to a UK veterinary nursing qualification and you are eligible to apply to enter the Register (Step 3).
Accepted to enter the pre-registration examinations
This means your application has been accepted. However, because your course provider is not accredited by ACOVENE, you need to pass the pre-registration examinations (Step 2).
Rejected
This means your qualification is not suitable to enter the Register. A small number of applications are rejected each year. This normally happens when:
- You don’t have a veterinary nursing qualification
- The level of your qualification is lower than that completed in the UK
- Your qualification is not approved by the relevant authorities (for example, a ministry of education or veterinary regulator) in the country where you qualified
If you don’t agree with our decision
If you don’t agree with our decision, please get in touch with [email protected] so we can discuss your situation. In some cases, additional evidence can be supplied, and the application reviewed. Before you prepare to submit further information, please contact us.
Application Form A
Application for a veterinary nurse trained outside the UK to have their qualification(s) and experience assessed to determine eligibility of an application for inclusion on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.
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Application Form A - Guidance notes
Guidance notes on completion of application for a veterinary nurse trained outside the UK to have their qualification(s) and experience assessed to determine eligibility of an application for inclusion on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.
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Application Form B
Application for a veterinary nurse trained outside the UK to have their qualification(s) and experience assessed to determine eligibility of an application for inclusion on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.
201.16 KB
Application Form B - Guidance notes
Evaluation of International Qualifications for entry to the UK Register of Veterinary Nurses Application Form B example
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Step 2 – Pass the pre-registration examination
If we approve your application, the next step is to sit the pre-registration exam. You may work under supervision for up to one year while preparing for this exam. You do not need to pass the pre-registration exam if your qualification is ACOVENE-accredited. Guidance on the pre-registration exam is available.
Step 3 - Register
Step 3 - Register
Once your application has been accepted and you’ve passed the pre-registration exam (if applicable), you can apply to join the Register. To complete your registration, you’ll need to:
- Complete a short course about the Code of Professional Conduct
- Provide your original certificate and identity document
- Make your professional declaration
- Pay your registration fee
Special cases and exemptions
ACOVENE-accredited qualifications
ACOVENE accreditation means your qualification meets EU standards that align closely with UK requirements. If you hold a qualification accredited by ACOVENE when you achieved it, you need to:
- Complete Application Form A
- Provide the relevant supporting evidence
Section 9 of the Application Form includes a checklist of evidence you need to provide.
You do not have to:
- Fill in Application Form B
- Take the pre-registration exam
unless you graduated outside of the accreditation period.
If you achieved an ACOVENE-accredited qualification via distance learning, you must also fill in Application Form B.
ACOVENE-accredited qualifications include:
| Country | School | Accreditation period |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Thomas More Kempen
VIVES University of Applied Sciences | 2007 onwards
September 2023 onwards |
| Ireland | Atlantic Technological University (previously known as Letterkenny Institute of Technology) Dundalk Institute of Technology National University of Ireland (also known as University College Dublin) St. John’s Central College Cork Technological University of the Shannon (previously known as Athlone Institute of Technology) | 2013 onwards
|
| The Netherlands | Aeres MBO Barneveld formally known as Groenhorst College
| 2007 onwards
|
| Denmark | Hansenberg
| July 2008 to July 2012
|
| Italy | Abivet S.R.L Roma (attendance course only not distance learning or course delivered in Cremona)
| 2007 onwards
|
| Norway | Norwegian School for Veterinary Science
| 2007 onwards
|
| Portugal | Instituto Politécnico de Viseu
| 2015 onwards
|
| Sweden | Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU)
| June 2007 to July 2012
|
Other applicants with exemptions
If you hold one of the following qualifications listed, you do not need to complete Application Form B.
However, you’ll still need to:
- Complete Application Form A
- Provide the relevant supporting evidence
- Take the pre-registration exam
It is likely that your application will be accepted as long as you’ve worked in a veterinary practice within the last five years.
These qualifications have been assessed and found equivalent to UK standards:
| Country | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Canada | CVMA-accredited college qualifications
|
| United States |
AVMA-accredited college qualifications |
| Australia | Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418, ACM40412, ACM4010, RUV40404)
BSc Science with Extended Major in Veterinary Technology – University of Queensland issued up to and including 2022 |
| New Zealand | National Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – Level 5 (NCF 0222).
New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – Level 6 (NCF 2491).
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology – Massey University issued up to and including 2022. |
| Zimbabwe | Diploma in Veterinary Nursing - University of Zimbabwe issued between 2006 - 2022.
|
| South Africa | Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – University of Pretoria issued up to and including 2022.
|
| Portugal | Bachelor in Veterinary Nursing – Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco - Agrarian School of Castelo Branco up to and including 2018.
Bachelor in Veterinary Nursing - Polytechnic Institute of Viseu - Agrarian School of Viseu issued up to and including 2015. |
| The Netherlands | Veterinary assistant/Paraveterinary (qualification codes 97590 and 22238)
|
| Hong Kong | BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing - Hong Kong Polytechnic University issued up to and including 2014. SCOPE Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (programme codes 163-30280 (2016 cohort), 173-30280 (2017 cohort), 183-30280 (2018 cohort), 193-30280 (2019 cohort), 203-30280 (2020 cohort), 213-30280 (2021 cohort), 223-30280 (2020 cohort), 223-30280 (2022 cohort) |
Distance learning qualifications
We assess distance learning qualifications individually. You’ll need to provide detailed evidence that your course met the required level of hands-on training. We may contact your course provider for further information.
If you completed distance learning, you'll need to provide detailed information about:
- Practical training components
- Clinical placement hours
- Hands-on skills assessment
- Supervised work experience
Visa, immigration and work permit requirements
The RCVS does not issue permits for entry to work in the UK and is unable to provide advice on such matters. Acceptance of your application by the RCVS does not mean that a permit to enter and work in the UK will be granted.
Information and assistance can be obtained from the UK Government’s website on visas and immigration.
English language requirements
To work as a vet nurse in the UK, you must be able to communicate effectively with clients in written and spoken English. This is set out in the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.
We do not currently ask for evidence of your level of English. However, we strongly encourage you to prove that your English language ability meets our standards. You can do this by completing an English Language qualification.
If at any point during the registration process, there is significant doubt about your English language ability, you will be asked to provide additional evidence. You will also be given the option of passing IELTS level 7 (or an equivalent English language qualification at the same level or higher).
Letters of good standing
When you fill in Application Form A, you’ll be asked to provide evidence of your good standing. There are two ways you can do this:
- A letter of good standing
- An affidavit or declaration
What you need to provide
You must provide a letter of good standing from the relevant professional body in the country where you qualified. This confirms:
- You are or have been registered with them as a veterinary nurse
- You have not been the subject of any disciplinary enquiries
- There are no disciplinary findings against you
If you are unable to provide a Letter or Certificate of good standing you will need to complete an affidavit or declaration.
The affidavit or declaration is made by you on oath, or in solemn form. It is made before a competent judicial or administrative authority, or notary public. The affidavit will confirm the following:
- The school and date you obtained your qualification
- The specific reason you are not currently registered with a regulatory authority outside the UK (for example, if there isn’t one in your country)
- That you have not been found guilty of serious professional misconduct or employment disciplinary proceedings in the UK or elsewhere
- That you have not been convicted of any criminal offences in the UK or elsewhere.
If you’re unsure what to submit, contact us at [email protected] or 020 7202 0788.
Applicants with refugee status
Veterinary nurses seeking asylum in the UK can seek financial aid provided by the RCVS to have their qualification assessed and enter the pre-registration examination. You should submit evidence of your refugee status with your initial application.
Translation of documents
All documents must be in English. You'll need certified translations if your qualifications are in other languages.
Requirements for translations
- Use a certified professional translator
- Include both original and translated versions
We appreciate that translating large documents can be expensive. In some cases, we will be able to help you translate documents. These can be certified by your school or by a qualified translator or translation company.
Application fees
Registration involves the following fees:
- Assessment fee (varies by application type)
- Examination fee (if a pre-registration exam is required)
- Registration fee
Visit our fees page for more information.
Get more information
The RCVS Academy has courses on working in the UK and pre-registration exam support.
Contact our team
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 7202 0788
Contact us via post:
RCVS
1 Hardwick Street
London, EC1R 4RB
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