FAQs

The PDP is run through a password-protected web-based recording system, the Professional Development Record (PDR), in which graduates keep a tally of their cases and notes under various clinical headings relating to either small animal, equine or farm animal practice (or a combination of the three). They must keep brief notes on their experience and on their general performance under each skill area, and may write up longer case reports and link these to the list of skills and procedures as evidence of their experience.

They are asked to rate their confidence against a number of headings, based on a four-point scale, ranging from ‘not confident’ to ‘totally confident’. When they have logged experience against each area and have rated themselves as confident overall, they can apply to complete their PDP. An application for ‘completion’ must be filled in by the graduate and countersigned by a more senior veterinary colleague who is familiar with their work. The RCVS appointed Postgraduate Dean will check the graduate’s PDP records online to check that there is sufficient evidence of experience across the clinical areas to warrant sign-off and completion. Those who have completed the PDP are issued with a certificate of completion by the RCVS.

Graduates can also keep a log of any additional CPD activities they undertake, and their general development plans, under the CPD component of the PDR.

It is the responsibility of new graduates to register with the RCVS to use the PDR for recording their PDP. They are given instructions on how to do this when they graduate and first register as members of the RCVS.

Guidance on CPD and instructions for registering to use the CPD component can be found on the RCVS website at www.rcvs.org.uk/cpd.

The record requirement is outlined in Chapter 4 of the supporting guidance to the Code of Professional Conduct: Veterinary medicines (paragraphs 4.27 - 4.29). It comprises a description of both the legal requirements for practice premises registration and the professional obligation for record-keeping.

Please refer to the document: 'BSAVA/RCVS position statement' in the 'Related documents' box, at the bottom of this page.

The RCVS will allocate each graduate to a Postgraduate Dean when they register to use the PDP system. The Postgraduate Dean will monitor their progress online from time to time, and will be the point of contact for assistance with their PDP. The Postgraduate Dean will also review and sign off the record, once the graduate submits the PDP declaration form. The Postgraduate Dean is not there to advise on personal problems or employment matters, although, if such issues are raised, may refer the graduate on to other sources of support. 

The RCVS exists to set, uphold and advance veterinary standards. In relation to undergraduate veterinary education, the RCVS sets the ‘Day One Competences’ that need to be achieved by all students prior to graduation and we set the standards that degree programmes need to meet in order for them to be accredited by us.

The last enrolment for the PDP was in June 2021. Those currently enrolled will have until June 2024 to complete the programme. New graduates should enrol for the VetGDP.

The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct requires new and recent graduates to comply with RCVS PDP and CPD requirements. All practising veterinary surgeons are required to continue their professional development and maintain their competence in the area in which they are working. They must keep records of their development and provide these to the RCVS when required. We consider the PDP to be the most appropriate form of continuing professional development for the initial period of clinical practice.

The Code also requires all veterinary surgeons to ensure that clinical governance forms part of their professional activities.

In order to undertake the PDP effectively, the graduate must engage in a process of reflection, analysis and improvement in their professional practice. This is echoed in the guidance on clinical governance that accompanies the Code of Professional Conduct. This goes on to state that:

“Clinical governance may include:

keeping up to date with continuing professional development (CPD) and new developments relevant to the area of work;

reflecting upon performance, preferably in the form of a learning diary, and making appropriate changes to practice;

reflecting upon any unexpected critical events and learning from the outcome and making appropriate changes to practice;

critically analysing the evidence base for procedures used and making appropriate changes to practice;

reflecting upon communication with other members of the work team and making appropriate changes to practice;

reflecting upon communication with clients and making appropriate changes to practice; and,

assessing professional competence in consultation with more experienced or better qualified colleagues and limiting your practice appropriately.”

All new graduate members of the RCVS and those with less than one year’s experience who are working in clinical practice in the UK should therefore take part in and complete their PDP. Those who are not working in clinical practice in the UK (see definition in footnote on page 3), but who are still on the register as UK practising members (eg those undertaking full-time research), are advised to follow a similar approach where appropriate, and to keep records of their professional development instead in the CPD component of the PDR. UK graduates who are working in clinical practice outside the UK may undertake the PDP if they wish, and if their employer is supportive.

Undertaking the PDP does not affect membership status. Graduates undertaking their PDP are legally qualified to practise as veterinary surgeons as they are full members of RCVS. It is, however, an acknowledgement of their relative inexperience and their need for support from more senior colleagues.

Anyone who has graduated since 2007 must complete their PDP if they want to enrol at a later stage on the RCVS Certificate and some other postgraduate certificate programmes. Having undertaken sufficient appropriate CPD has always been a requirement before entering for RCVS examinations, and completing the PDP helps to confirm that a Certificate candidate has had a broad grounding in clinical practice before they embark on a further qualification. 

View the list of modules.

This is periodically updated, as new modules become available. 

If you are using the online Professional Development Record, there are sections for you to keep a more detailed reflective account of your development activities, as well as a structure for recording your plans. If you wish, you can upload electronic records of attendance, certificates, photos, and other notes.

If you are only using the printed version of the CPD Record Card, you should keep a separate personal file with any certificates of attendance, learning diaries, CPD plans, assessment results, or other documents that serve as evidence of your involvement in CPD. You may find it useful as part of planning your professional development to have a detailed account of your learning experiences for your own reference.

The qualification is the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP).

The examination guidance includes an extensive reading list covering the main subject areas, links to websites that give information about current legislation of relevance to veterinary surgeons, as well as some recommended veterinary journals and publications.

Candidates are eligible for a special RCVS Knowledge library membership category. 

Confirmed exam candidates will be given access to a formative quiz containing 110 questions in the same format and of the same standard you will be faced with in the written examination, this will be provided in the run up to the final exam dates.