How should I disclose convictions to the RCVS?

If you are applying to join the Register for the first time (or are applying to be restored) a declaration/disclosure form will be part of the application form available from the RCVS Registration Department (www.rcvs.org.uk/registration).

For those already on the Register a declaration/disclosure form will be provided to you along withyour renewal invoice.

Before you submit your form, you may wish to phone or email our disclosure advice team who will be able to offer advice on the process for handling convictions/adverse findings disclosed to them. (see section on What am I required to disclose to the RCVS?)

When completing the form, you will be asked to supply the following information:

• The date of the caution or conviction (you will need to supply evidence of the caution or conviction in the form of a caution note or conviction notice, or a recent Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau) report)
• The name and address of the police authority or court
• The details of the penalty/sanction (if applicable) that was imposed
• Any other relevant information/evidence, which may include a statement from you outlining the circumstances of the offence and the name of the investigating police officer. The RCVS may contact the authorities to obtain further information as part of its investigation

When disclosing adverse findings made by other overseas veterinary regulators or healthcare
regulators (overseas or UK), you must provide:

• Details of the regulator that imposed the sanction, including your membership/registration number
• Written evidence of the sanction/warning imposed
• A full statement (from you) of the circumstances surrounding the incident that led to the charges and reasons for the sanction/warning (if applicable) and information of any appeal, whether successful or not
• A refusal by an overseas regulator to register would also be an adverse finding and must bedisclosed with documentary evidence of the grounds for the refusal.

Once you have submitted the disclosure form, you will be sent a written acknowledgment of receipt from the Professional Conduct Department.

You can phone the Professional Conduct Department at any time to ask for a progress update or to ask questions about any other aspects of the process – [email protected] – 020 7202 0789.

We understand that in some circumstances you may be anxious about disclosing and our advice team will be happy to guide you through the process.