FAQs

No. The practice and VetGDP Adviser will need to commit their time but there is no direct cost. The online learning for VetGDP Advisers will be provided by the RCVS free of charge. 

The programme is jointly led by the graduate and their VetGDP Adviser who has agreed to be the primary person providing support to the graduate(s) enrolled in the VetGDP in their workplace. Both the graduate and the VetGDP Adviser have a responsibility to engage with the programme, as indicated in the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct. In addition, the practice/workplace also has a responsibility for allowing the graduate and VetGDP Adviser protected time for support activities as declared in their application to become an RCVS Approved Graduate Development Practice/Workplace

If you practise from your home and supply medicines from there, your home must be registered with the RCVS as a veterinary practice premises. Even if you store only small quantities of medicines at your home, you will need to register your home as a veterinary practice premises if you supply those medicines to others (supply includes administering medicines to other people’s animals).

However, if you keep a small quantity of medicines at your home, for example, for on-call purposes, and that store of medicines is recorded at a registered veterinary practice premises, the home premises need not be registered.

No, vehicles are not premises, but you must maintain a record of vehicles in which medicines are stored or kept (the record should be held at the main veterinary practice premises in accessible form).

Veterinary surgeons who do not also hold an appropriate veterinary nursing qualification may not apply for registration as a veterinary nurse. Please contact our Registration Team who will assist you to register as a veterinary surgeon on  020 7202 0707 or [email protected].

This indicates that you have no fee to pay. Either your practice may already have paid your fee, or your fee may have been collected by Direct Debit. This may also be due to a previous credit you had on your account.

If in doubt, please check with your practice or contact the RCVS Finance Department on 020 7202 0722 or [email protected].

Yes, you can sign up for the VetGDP. Please ensure that you have a VetGDP Adviser in place to support you. 

Awards, by their very nature, are reliant on performing ‘business as usual’ to an excellent standard.

In these uncertain times, it is unlikely the majority of practices are operating normally, and with that in mind, PSG and the Covid Taskforce have decided to temporarily suspend new awards applications, until February 2021, when the situation will be reviewed in light of the latest government guidance on social distancing and the situation with the pandemic.

If you intend to work as a veterinary nurse in the UK, you must register with the RCVS.  In most cases, applicants complete assessment requirements within 6 to 12 months.

Yes you can, as long as you can spend at least an hour a week with the graduate and be available to provide support.