Skip to content
search
cancel

Europe

How to apply to join the RCVS Register if you qualified in Europe.

How to apply

Recognised qualifications

Your qualification is recognised if you went to a university that was EAEVE-approved or accredited at the time you graduated.

If your university is not on our list, or you achieved your qualification outside of the dates listed, you’ll need to sit the RCVS statutory exam. This is a different process to the steps listed on this page.

If you’ve previously failed all or part of the statutory exam, you’ll need to sit the full examination again. See our dedicated page for more info.

(Updated on 7 January 2025)

Documents

When you fill in your online application form, you’ll be asked to provide the following documents:

  • Identification
  • Proof of your qualifications
  • Proof of your English language level
  • A letter of good standing

Identification

As proof of your identity, we’ll need:

  • A certified colour photocopy of:
    • the identifying page and front cover of your passport
  • A recent passport photo

On the reverse of the photo write:

  • Your full name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your signature

Proof of qualification

As proof of your qualifications, you’ll need to send us:

  • An A4 certified photocopy of your veterinary degree
  • A certified English translation of your veterinary degree, if needed
  • Additional relevant documents if you qualified in Belgium, Italy, Slovakia or Slovenia

A certified translation is one that has been stamped, signed or sealed by a qualified translator, or by a translation company.

Applicants from the following countries will also need to supply the following documents:

Belgium (Ghent and Liège)

  • A certified photocopy of your Annexe/Supplement attached to your Diploma

Italy

  • A certified photocopy of your Diploma di abilitazione all’exercizio della medicina veterinaria (l'esame di stato) (Diploma of qualification to practice veterinary medicine (State Examination Certificate))
  • A certified English translation of your State Examination Certificate, if needed

Slovakia

  • A certified photocopy of your State Examination Certificate
  • A certified English translation of your State Examination Certificate, if needed

Slovenia

  • A certified photocopy of your Sprièevalo o opravljenem državnem izpitu s podroèja veterinarstva (Certificate of having passed the state examination in the field of veterinary medicine)
  • A certified English translation of your State Examination Certificate, if needed

Proof of English language level

To apply for full registration, you must demonstrate that you can communicate in English at an appropriate level.

This can be demonstrated by taking either:

  • the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) UKVI Academic or IELTS Academic (paper based or online test), or
  • the veterinary version of the Occupational English Test (OET) (paper based or online test).

You do not have to take an English language test if your veterinary degree was taught and assessed entirely in English. However, you'll need to provide proof.

Please see our language guidance for more information.

Letter of good standing

You will also need to send us a letter of good standing. Its content and author will vary depending on which of the following applies to you:

If you’re registering within three months of graduation

Your letter of good standing should come from the Dean, Principal or Rector of your veterinary school or college. It will only be valid for three months after your graduation date and must be valid when you have your video appointment.

Your letter should be a formal letter on university headed paper, issued after the date you graduated. It should be sent directly to the RCVS by the University.

The letter should confirm:

  • the exact date of your graduation (DD/MM/YYYY), and
  • that you were a student of good standing.

It should also include – if relevant – details of any:

  • cautions or criminal convictions,
  • absolute and conditional discharges,
  • spent convictions,
  • any adverse findings against you, including disciplinary proceedings.

If your letter is not being sent directly to the RCVS from the university, you’ll need to get it certified.

If you’re registering more than three months after graduation and are registered with a licensing authority

Your letter or certificate of good standing should come from your current registration or licensing authority. It’s only valid for three months after the date of issue and must be valid on the day of your registration appointment.

Your letter should be sent directly to the RCVS by the registration or licensing authority and state that:

  • you are registered to practise as a veterinary surgeon by that authority,
  • you are of good professional standing and good character, and
  • you hold a veterinary degree.

It should include – if relevant – details of any:

  • cautions or criminal convictions,
  • absolute and conditional discharges,
  • spent convictions, or
  • adverse findings against you, including professional disciplinary proceedings.

If the letter is not being sent directly to the RCVS from the registration authority, you’ll need to get it certified.

If you’re not registered with a registration or licensing authority

If you are not currently registered with an authority, please submit your application. We’ll contact you with further instructions once we’ve received your application.

Registration form and fee payment

Once you’ve gathered all the documents you need, you can complete the online registration form. Here you’ll be asked to:

  • Upload all relevant documents
  • Pay your registration fee

To complete the online application form, you'll need to have an account on our portal, My Account. If you go onto My Account, you'll be prompted to fill in form to create your account. 

Video appointment

Once we’ve received your application, documents and fees, we’ll contact you to arrange a video appointment to complete your registration.

The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and you’ll be asked to present your passport.

Application timelines

You can apply up to six months before you’d like to be registered. Please avoid sending your application any earlier than this as we won’t be able to hold it open for you.

We aim to process all applications within four calendar weeks of receiving your application, payment and all supporting documents in the correct format. During busy periods, this may increase to six calendar weeks. Our priority will always be to process your application as quickly as possible.

All applications are processed in order of the date they’re received. Unfortunately we cannot fast track an application.

Back to top

print Print

You might also like

<b>No match for ALT in pages</b>

Vet businesses asked to make sure details up-to-date ahead of practice annual renewal

Jan 2025
<b>No match for ALT in pages</b>

RCVS appoints new Registrar and Director of Legal Services

Jan 2025
<b>No match for ALT in pages</b>

Smallest proportion of VNs removed from Register due to annual renewal process improvements

Jan 2025