FAQs

The average time taken to complete the PDP is 18 months. Some graduates may complete in a shorter time, some longer. It depends on their caseload. It will probably take longer than a year for someone who wants to complete their PDP in genuinely mixed practice, as they will need to gain broad experience across all three areas, rather than in just one or two. However, it is quite acceptable to complete the PDP in the context of just one main species area, eg small animal practice.

In July 2015 a time requirement of three years was introduced for completion of the PDP and we expect graduates in clinical practice to complete within this time-frame. The three year time period begins when the graduate enters their first clinical position. If a graduate finds that they cannot complete the PDP within the 3 year time requirement, they should contact the Education Officer at the RCVS or their Postgraduate Dean to explain their reasons and discuss their options.

The PDP needn’t be undertaken just in one practice or post; if the graduate changes jobs, they can continue their PDP in their second or subsequent posts. If a graduate is undertaking locum work, they can use this experience towards their PDP. However, the RCVS does not recommend that a new graduate undertakes unsupported locum work. A new graduate should not normally be left in sole charge unless they have easy and quick access to support from a more senior colleague. 

The duration will vary, but we recommend you set aside at least two hours for the remote assessment at the main premises. This is likely to be reduced for any branch premises.

This will be individual for each veterinary graduate, you all have different experiences from vet school, different strengths and weaknesses, you have different roles, different team support, different cases.

You need to record enough reflection and activities to show that you are competent to perform the activities in your chosen EPAs and to meet the success criteria. You need to record enough to give evidence of breadth and depth of experience in each EPA set against the relevant success criteria.

If you can find the time to record your activities and reflections regularly, they will be a more accurate and  helpful record allowing you to make swifter progress.

You need to obtain 60 credits to obtain a CertAVP qualification. This will be made up of the A-Foundations of Advanced Veterinary Practice module (10 credits), at least one B-module (10 credits) and either four C-modules or a combination of B and C modules to a total of 40 credits.

You are asked to record your CPD by hours, not by credit points. We don’t allocate credit points to courses as such. We only allocate credit points to the achievement of modules in the Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice. Although some CPD courses and activities may accrue ‘points’ values, you are asked to record details of your CPD in terms of hours completed.

There is nothing to prevent more than one medication (or animal) being included on a written prescription. However, where multiple medicines and animals are noted on one prescription it must be explicit which medicine is for which animal. Veterinary surgeons are free to exercise professional judgement in this regard.

Costs and fees will be available on the providers’ websites. Please be aware there are also fees payable to the RCVS, which you can view on the Fees page.

Funding support may be available to you, depending on how much funding you have already accessed during your training. You can access further information on government funding.

The annual statutory registration fee is £34 for each veterinary practice premises and VAT is not payable. For example, if a practice has one main practice premises and two branch premises, each premises must be registered each year (3 x £34 = £102). 

For veterinary practice premises accredited under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, the annual statutory registration fee is taken from the annual fees paid to the Scheme. An annual statutory registration fee will be payable for any premises that are not PSS-accredited.

Payment can be made via 'MyAccount' using the log in credentials for the practice premises.

The entry fee is £2,500.

This includes the £2,200 examination fee and a non-refundable £300 administration charge.

To enrol with the RCVS, you will pay an initial fee, which is renewable each year (if paid by Direct Debit). Please check our Fees page for the most up to date fees. Enrolment fees at universities will vary - please contact the university offering your module(s) for advice.