PSS accreditation levels

There are different levels of accreditation your practice premises can apply for, depending on the type of premises, services offered and species treated.

On this page you can find information about each of the different levels of PSS accreditation and the required modules.

On this page:

• About PSS modules and requirements
• Core Standards
• General Practice
• Equine General Practice
• Small Animal Emergency Service Clinic (ESC)
• Equine Emergency Service Clinic (ESC)
• Veterinary Hospital
• Exemptions from modules
• Out of hours services
• Get help choosing an accreditation

About PSS modules and requirements

Each PSS accreditation comprises different modules. Within each module there are several requirements that must be met. These are grouped according to the level of accreditation and species type.

For a detailed breakdown of accreditations for each species type, see our modules and awards documents. 

You don’t have to work out which modules and requirements you need to meet. Once you've applied to the PSS and are set up on Stanley, you’ll only see what’s relevant to the accreditation you’re working towards.

Core Standards

Whichever accreditation you’re working towards, you must achieve Core Standards in every relevant module.

Meeting Core Standards is a legal requirement for all UK veterinary practices, whether or not they’re part of the PSS. This is laid out in the Code of Professional Conduct. 

General Practice

General Practice accreditation is for primary care practices aiming for the highest standards of clinical care. Practices must show how they’ve met additional requirements that benefit the veterinary team, patients and clients.

Practices that can apply for this accreditation (by species type):

• Small animal
• Equine
• Farm animal

Requirements that must be met for this accreditation:

• Core Standards (all modules)
• General Practice (all modules)

Vet nurse training practices

If you have a General Practice accreditation, you’re meeting many of the requirements needed to be a vet nurse (RVN) training practice. However, your practice's training capabilities must first be assessed. For more information, contact the Veterinary Nursing Department at [email protected].

Equine General Practice (Ambulatory)

Equine General Practice (Ambulatory) accreditation is for those practices that provide a GP-level service but don’t stable or treat horses on-site.

Practices that can apply for this accreditation (by species type):

• Equine

Requirements that must be met for this accreditation:

• Core Standards (all modules)
• General Practice (all modules except In-patients)

Small Animal Emergency Service Clinic (ESC)

Small Animal Emergency Service Clinic (ESC) accreditation is for small animal practices that deal with emergency and critical care cases without an appointment.

Practices that can apply for this accreditation (by species type):

• Small animal

Requirements that must be met for this accreditation:

• Core Standards (all modules)
• General Practice (all modules)
• Emergency Service Clinic (Emergency and Critical Care module only)

Equine Emergency Service Clinic (ESC)

This accreditation is for equine practices that deal with emergency cases in the field and provide out-of-hours services.

Practices that can apply for this accreditation (by species type):

• Equine

Requirements that must be met for this accreditation:

• Core Standards (all modules)
• Emergency Service Clinic (Emergency (Ambulatory) module only)

Veterinary Hospital

Veterinary hospital accreditation is for general practices that can also investigate and treat more complex cases.

Practices that can apply for this accreditation (by species type):

• Small animal
• Equine

Requirements that must be met for this accreditation:

• Core Standards (all modules)
• General Practice (all modules)
• Veterinary Hospital (all modules)

Exemptions from modules

Occasionally, your practice might be exempt from certain modules. For example, if your veterinary hospital doesn’t provide dentistry, you wouldn’t have to do this module.

Out of hours services

Practices can outsource their out of hours services to other practices. However, these practices must meet certain requirements.

• Practices accredited at Core Standards, including farm animal practices, can outsource out of hours services to any premises.
• General Practice accredited practices, including farm animal practices, must outsource to a PSS practice at General Practice, Veterinary Hospital or Emergency Service Clinic level. GP practices cannot outsource to a core or non-PSS practice.
• Veterinary Hospital accredited practices can only outsource to a Veterinary Hospital or Emergency Service Clinic.
• Equine practices accredited at Core Standards, General Practice and General Practice (Ambulatory) level may use an Emergency Service Clinic for their out-of-hours provision.
• Equine practices accredited at Veterinary Hospital level must provide out-of-hours cover at the hospital premises.

Get help choosing an accreditation

If you have any questions about which accreditation is right for you, please contact the PSS team by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 7202 0767.

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