New Register underway - are your details up to date?

As the new edition of the RCVS Register of Members will be published in November, we are currently working to ensure that the Register information we hold is as up to date as possible.

We need members to notify us of any changes of name and/or address before September 2006 to ensure that accurate information is published. We also need to know which category of membership you are in (see explanation below). Quite simply, if we do not have the information from you we cannot include it!

Ensuring you provide us with up-to-date details means not only that the Register remains accurate, but also that we can stay in touch with you and ensure you continue to receive RCVS correspondence and publications.

For example, if the annual retention fee notice does not reach you at a new address, your name could be removed from the Register for failure to pay the retention fee (the fact that a member has not received a fee notice is not an excuse for non payment). You would then no longer be legally allowed to practise.

It is your responsibility to keep us informed of your Register information, so please take a moment to check that your current details are up to date.

Membership categories explained

Members should ensure their membership category information is up to date.  There are three main membership categories.

Home-practising: Practising in the UK is not limited to those in general practice. It includes anyone who is undertaking acts of veterinary surgery (as defined in section 27 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act) or is otherwise engaged in any activity which is, in the opinion of the RCVS Council, veterinary related.

Council interprets this widely and requires those who are still professionally active, even if not involved in clinical work, to maintain their registration. This would include anyone working in a government department or agency, in academia, on research councils or in industry and commerce.

Overseas-practising: This category covers those who wish to retain their membership and who are resident and practising outside the geographic area of the UK. (The UK includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.)

Non-practising: These members should not engage in any act of veterinary surgery and should not sign any form of veterinary certification, including vaccination certificates or prescriptions. In effect, they should only undertake activities that may be undertaken by a non-veterinary surgeon. The issue of employment, payment or non-payment for services is irrelevant.

Different retention fees are payable for each membership category.  If you change your category during the year you may have to pay an additional fee or you may be entitled to a partial refund of your fee.

Those members who are non-practising and aged over 70, and those who are home-practising members undertaking full-time postgraduate studies may be entitled to reduced membership rates.

If members have any questions about their membership category, they should contact the Registration Department for further information and advice.