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Voluntary removal and restoration

Find out how to remove your name from the RCVS Register or restore it if you’re returning to practice.

On this page:

Removing your name from the Register

If you’re a vet

If you’re no longer practising as a vet in the UK, you can remove your name from the Register. This means that:

  • you can no longer practise or carry out veterinary-related activities in the UK,
  • you’ll no longer be a member of the RCVS, and
  • you won’t be able to use the post nominals MRCVS.

How to remove yourself from the Register

You can remove yourself from the Register via My Account. Select “Removing your name from the Register” and you’ll be guided through the process.

It can take up to three working days to process voluntary removals. We will email you once these changes have been approved.

Please make sure you remove your name before 30 April. Otherwise you’ll need to pay a proportion of the fee for the new registration year.

If you’re a vet nurse

If you’re no longer practising and aren’t involved in any veterinary nursing related activity, you can voluntarily remove your name from the Register. You can do this online in My Account.

It can take up to three working days to process voluntary removals. We will email you once these changes have been approved.

Please make sure you remove your name before 1 November. Otherwise you’ll need to pay a proportion of the fee for the new registration year.

Restoring your name to the Register

If you’re a vet

You can restore your name to the Register by filling in a restoration form on My Account. This applies if:

  • you’ve voluntarily removed your name from the Register, or
  • you’ve been removed from the Register for non-payment of renewal fees.

As well as your restoration form, you’ll need to send us:

  • A valid copy of your passport or EU ID card
  • The restoration fee
  • Your annual registration fee

The annual registration fee will be for the membership category you wish to restore to.

If you’re restoring your name because you’ve been removed for non-payment of fees, the fee will be different.
To find out how much you have to pay, go to our fees page.

Restoration after 12 months

If you’ve been working outside the UK

If you’ve been off the RCVS Register for more than 12 months and have been practising outside the UK, you will need to send us:

  • A valid copy of your passport or EU ID card
  • The restoration fee
  • An annual registration fee
  • A letter of good standing

Your letter of good standing should come from your current registration authority. It should be sent directly to the RCVS. A certified translation should be submitted if the original letter is not in English.

If you’ve been non-practising

If you have not been practising, you will need to send us:

  • A copy of your passport or EU ID card
  • The restoration fee
  • An annual registration fee
  • A sworn declaration

A sworn declaration is a statement that needs to be signed and stamped by a solicitor.

If you’re a vet nurse

If you’ve been voluntarily unregistered for less than five years, you can apply to be restored to the Register on My Account.

You will need to send us:

  • A copy of your passport or EU ID card
  • Your restoration fee

To find out how much you have to pay, go to our fees page.

Restoration after five years

If you’re returning to the Register of Veterinary Nurses after a period of five or more years, you’ll first need to undertake a Period of Supervised Practice (PSP).

The PSP is in place to help you update your knowledge and skills under the mentorship and supervision of other registered practitioners. You won’t have to take a pre-registration qualification and you’re not formally reassessed.

For more information, see the PSP Handbook.

How to enrol for the PSP

To enrol for the PSP, please complete the application form, which can be found within the PSP Handbook.
Before you’re able to start your PSP, you must:

  • Enrol
  • Pay your fee
  • Have your registration confirmed
  • Send us a copy of your passport or EU ID card

Once you’re enrolled on the PSP, we’ll give you access to our Nurse Return course on the RCVS Academy. This mandatory course will guide you through the process of updating your skills, including planning and completing your PSP.

If you have any questions about the PSP, please contact the Veterinary Nursing Team on 020 7202 0788 or at [email protected]

Get more information

If you have any questions about removal or restoration that aren’t covered here, please contact our Registration Team on 020 7202 0707 or [email protected].

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