Returning to or leaving the veterinary profession

Taking a career break or considering your return to veterinary practice? Find everything you need to know about removing your name from the Register during absence and restoring it when you're ready to return. Discover support programmes and requirements tailored to your time away.

On this page

Returning to the profession

If you return to the veterinary profession, you need to restore your name to the Register. Restoration requirements depend on how long you've been away and whether you've been practising elsewhere.

For veterinary surgeons

Less than 12 months away

Simple application through My Account
Pay the restoration fee and annual registration fee
No additional requirements

12 months or more away

Complete a restoration application
If not registered with a licensing authority, provide a sworn declaration of your activities during your absence
Submit letters of good standing if you practised abroad
Pay the restoration fee and annual registration fee

Five or more years away

If you've not been on the UK Register for five years or more, you must enrol on the Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP). If your break was shorter, you can choose to join voluntarily. You'll get dedicated one-to-one support to rebuild your confidence and develop your professional and clinical skills through our VETGDP programme.

Watch: How VetGDP works

The Veterinary Graduate Development Programme – VetGDP – is designed to help you develop your professional and clinical capabilities by providing you with dedicated, one-to-one support in the workplace.

If you’re a vet returning to the register after five or more years, you must enrol onto the programme. You may be able to apply to the RCVS for exemption, for example if you have been working abroad during this period.

If you’re returning to work after a shorter period away you may also request to enrol onto the programme if you feel it would be beneficial.

There will be a VetGDP Adviser in your workplace supporting your return to practise.

You can enrol (or apply for exemption) onto the VetGDP on the RCVS website.

The step-by-step guide takes you through this essential first stage in the process.

Your employer must be a VetGDP-approved Graduate Development Practice or Workplace.

They can choose to become one before you start work with them, but you won’t be able to join until they have completed this process. Look for the logo, and if you don’t see it, ask!

Your VetGDP Adviser is committed to supporting your professional development, and you’ll meet regularly. You will take the lead and request the support you need. This might include focusing on refreshing skills or updating your knowledge, and scheduling monthly meetings to obtain feedback and discuss your development.

You’ll record your progress in your e-portfolio, reflecting on your current skills and experiences and acknowledging areas where you may need guidance.

Your VetGDP Adviser can also add their feedback on cases or the discussions you have together.

At the start of the programme, you and your VetGDP Adviser will meet to review which activities, known as Entrustable Professional Activities (or EPAs), are relevant to your role and experience – you’ll find more information on our website.

You’ll then upload them into your e-portfolio where you will record your progress with each activity.

You must demonstrate that you can perform all activities within your role without support – and can work as an independent, confident vet.

You’ll agree with your VetGDP Adviser when the time is right to submit your e-portfolio to the RCVS for peer review and sign off. We expect it to take around one year, but it may take more or less time.

Need further help? Feel free to get in touch.

For veterinary nurses

Less than 12 months away

Submit a simple application through My Account
Pay the restoration fee and annual registration fee
No additional requirements

12 months or more away

Complete a detailed restoration application
Provide evidence of activities during your absence
You may need to complete a Period of Supervised Practice (PSP)
Submit supporting documentation as required

Period of Supervised Practice (PSP)

If you’ve had an extended break from nursing practice, you may need to complete PSP. This is a workplace-based assessment with an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) supervisor.

The duration depends on how long you’ve been away and your previous experience. PSP must be completed before full restoration.

For more information view the PSP Handbook.

Leaving the profession

If you're taking a career break or leaving veterinary practice, you can ask us to remove your name from the Register. This means you won't pay annual registration fees while you're not practising.

When you're ready to return, we'll help you restore your registration and get back to practice safely.

Removing your name from the Register

You can request voluntary removal if you're not practising veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing in any capacity. This means:

you can no longer practise or carry out veterinary-related activities in the UK,
you’ll no longer be a member of the RCVS, and
you won’t be able to use the initials MRCVS after your name

For vet surgeons

Apply through My Account or contact the Registration Team on 020 7202 0707.

You’ll receive an email within three working days to confirm your changes have been approved.

Important deadlines:

Apply by 30 April to avoid paying that year's registration fee

Applications after 30 April won't refund fees already paid

For vet nurses

Apply through My Account or contact the Veterinary Nursing Team on 020 7202 0788 or [email protected].

You’ll get an email within three working days to confirm your changes have been approved.

Important deadlines

Apply by 1 November to avoid paying the following year's registration fee

Applications after 1 November won't prevent the next year's fees

Need more information?

Don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions about removal, restoration, or professional development requirements.

VetGDP enquiries:
Email: [email protected]

Veterinary surgeon registration:
Phone: 020 7202 0707
Email: [email protected]

Veterinary nurse registration:
Phone: 020 7202 0788
Email: [email protected]

Useful resources

My Account – manage your registration online
RCVS Academy – professional development resources
PSP Handbook – detailed guidance for veterinary nurses
E-portfolio user guide – help with VetGDP portfolio system

Returning to or leaving the veterinary profession

Returning to the profession

For veterinary surgeons

Less than 12 months away

12 months or more away

Five or more years away

Watch: How VetGDP works

For veterinary nurses

Less than 12 months away

12 months or more away

Period of Supervised Practice (PSP)

Leaving the profession

Removing your name from the Register

For vet surgeons

For vet nurses

Need more information?

Useful resources

Related Content

Renew or update your registration

CertAVP enrolment

CertAVP module subjects

Designated certificates

Returning to or leaving the veterinary profession

Returning to the profession

For veterinary surgeons

Less than 12 months away

12 months or more away

Five or more years away

Watch: How VetGDP works

Transcript

For veterinary nurses

Less than 12 months away

12 months or more away

Period of Supervised Practice (PSP)

Leaving the profession

Removing your name from the Register

For vet surgeons

For vet nurses

Need more information?

Useful resources

Related Content

Renew or update your registration

CertAVP enrolment

CertAVP module subjects

Designated certificates