FAQs

Only RCVS Approved Graduate Development Practices can employ a new graduate. As such, your VetGDP Adviser must have completed their training and made their declaration before you begin your role. They may offer you a role before the training is complete, but you cannot join the practice until the training is complete.

If you ask a practice if they are willing to become an RCVS Approved Graduate Development Practice and they say no, there may be reasons why they feel they can’t and we will try to offer support. Our Education team can be contacted by emailing [email protected].

If your role does not require you to be MRCVS, then you can apply for an exemption. However, if your role includes areas which require the knowledge that you have gained in your veterinary degree, then it is likely that the VetGDP can be adapted to support you.

You will need to participate in the VetGDP if you are in a Government veterinary role, working for the food standards agency, working as an OV, working for the APHA, in animal welfare, as an inspector, in veterinary audit, meat hygiene inspectors, policy writers, epidemiologists, research roles, and so on.

If you need assistance in finding EPAs to suit your role, or in crafting your own EPA to suit your role, then please do contact us at [email protected].

Yes in many circumstances you may. If you have taken time off the Register, for example of parental leave, but you have a total of three years on the UK-Practising Register you can sign up to become a VetGDP Adviser.

Please contact us to discuss [email protected]

No. If you are already enrolled on the PDP you should continue with that programme until you have completed it.

VNs who return to register after a period of 6-18 months will not need to pay a restoration fee.

One of the downsides to the PDP was it was one size fits all, whereas one of the key benefits of VetGDP is that it is personalised. You will be able to work through the aspects of your job and what’s relevant in your workplace which might be different to somebody else’s in a different job. In mixed practice your Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) would cover different aspects to those for, say, a government role or in equine practice.

It is mandatory for veterinary graduates to take part in the VetGDP as stipulated in the Code of Professional Conduct. Practices who wish to employ graduates are required to offer this to them.

The VetGDP training must be completed, and the declaration signed, before the new graduate begins work at the practice.

If the school is unable to ensure the relevant standards are met, the RCVS may ask Privy Council to suspend or revoke the Recognition Order (RO) for the programme. If the RO is suspended or revoked, students graduating from the programme will not be automatically eligible to register as an MRCVS and would need to pass the RCVS Statutory Membership Examination after they have graduated.

The detailed work of the College is already delegated to a series of committees and working groups. In some areas, they are empowered to make decisions themselves, in others to make recommendations to Council.

In addition to including Council members, committee and working party membership can already include those selected by co-option of people with the appropriate expertise.

This would continue under the new proposed model to ensure high levels of veterinary input at the appropriate stages.

If you have any questions about the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) please contact the Veterinary Medicines Directorate who will be able to assist you.