Registration categories

An explanation of the different registration categories for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

Veterinary surgeons

UK Practising (formerly Home Practising)

Veterinary surgeons who are working (whether or not for remuneration) in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and undertaking:

• acts of veterinary surgery, or
• any activity that is the sole preserve of a veterinary surgeon

whether or not for remuneration.

Activities that are the sole preserve of a veterinary surgeon may include non-clinical work undertaken in the capacity as a veterinary surgeon. For example, it could include work done as part of employment by government departments or agencies, in academia, at research councils, or in industry and commerce. In other words, 'practising' is not limited to those in clinical practice, but includes veterinary surgeons using their professional qualification where the role is only open to those with a veterinary medicine qualification.

Practising outside the UK (formerly Overseas Practising)

Veterinary surgeons who are working outside the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.

These veterinary surgeons make a declaration to the registrar when transferring to the Practising outside the UK register that they will not practise in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. This means in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man they may not undertake:

• acts of veterinary surgery, or
• any activity that is the sole preserve of a veterinary surgeon

whether or not for remuneration.

The indemnity insurance of veterinary surgeons in the Practising outside the UK registration category may be invalid in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man unless they change their registration category to UK Practising.

Non-practising

Veterinary surgeons who want to remain on the Register but who are not practising, undertaking any acts of veterinary surgery or engaging in any activity that is the sole preserve of a veterinary surgeon, whether or not for remuneration anywhere in the world.

For example, a veterinary surgeon who is:

• on maternity leave,
• travelling,
• retired, or
• unemployed.

Non-practising veterinary surgeons make a declaration to the registrar when transferring to the non-practising register that they will not practise, either in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or anywhere else.

Republic of Ireland

Veterinary surgeons resident in the Republic of Ireland who qualified before 1 June 1988 and registered as practising members with the Veterinary Council of Ireland. These members remain MsRCVS.

Vet. Practitioner - SVR

Members of the RCVS who were practising veterinary medicine before the 1948 Veterinary Surgeons Act came into force, but who did not hold relevant formal qualifications. These members were entered onto a Supplementary Veterinary Register in 1949.

Further guidance 

Which registration category is right for me? 

Our flowchart will guide you through the process of determining your registration category. 

Flowchart: Which registration category is right for me? 

View a text version of this flowchart. 

Practising and registration scenarios

If your circumstances are not straightforward, our tailored guidance addresses a variety of potential scenarios that may apply to your situation. This includes:  

• I am on sabbatical
• I demonstrate skills in a clinical skills lab 
• I work at a veterinary school outside of the UK 

Read our practising and registration scenarios.

Veterinary nurses

Registered

Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are permitted to carry out:

• any medical treatment, and
• minor surgery not involving entry into a body cavity.

These rules are laid out in Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Registered veterinary nurses are required to comply with the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses. They must also fulfil compulsory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.

Period of Supervised Practice (PSP)

Veterinary nurses who have been away from the Register for longer than five years must complete a Period of Supervised Practice (PSP).

The PSP involves spending a minimum of 17 full-time weeks in clinical practice, completed within a year. The purpose of the PSP is to refresh veterinary nurses’ skills before they rejoin the Register.

Veterinary nurses must register with the RCVS before starting the PSP. This ensures they’re able to undertake procedures in line with the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

Further information about the PSP can be found in the PSP Guidance Notes.

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