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Registered Veterinary Nurse

Regulators
  • Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Health and care

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Address

WeWork – 3 Waterhouse Square
138-142 Holborn
London
EC1N 2SW

Email address
info@rcvs.org.uk
Phone number
+44 (0)2072 222 001

Regulation

Regulation summary

In order to practice as a veterinary nurse your name must be held on the register of veterinary nurses kept by the RCVS. Entry and retention on the register requires payment of a fee, along with Continued Professional Development and Code of Conduct requirements.

A registered veterinary nurse may provide any medical treatment or any minor surgery (not involving entry into a body cavity) to any animal, provided: a) the animal is, for the time being, under the care of a registered veterinary surgeon/ practitioner and the medical treatment or minor surgery is carried out by the veterinary nurse under his/her direction; b) the registered veterinary surgeon/ practitioner is the employer or is acting on behalf of the employer of the veterinary nurse; and c) the registered veterinary surgeon/ practitioner directing the medical treatment or minor surgery is satisfied that the veterinary nurse is qualified to carry out the treatment or surgery.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

Medical treatment or carrying out minor surgery, not involving entry into a body cavity, as per Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

Level 3/4 Diploma or FdSC/BSc degree in veterinary nursing

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
Summary of routes

You must hold a veterinary nursing qualification recognised by the ministry of education in the country where you achieved it.

Your qualification must be similar in content to veterinary nursing qualifications delivered in the UK.

You must have experience working in a veterinary practice and be competent to work with minimal supervision. Experience could include time you spent working in a veterinary practice during your education.

You must be able to communicate effectively with clients, including in written and spoken English.


Registration

Registration requirements

You must meet the criteria outlined in the RCVS Registration Rules for Veterinary Nurses


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, Schedule 3

Title of relevant act or charter

RCVS Supplemental Charter 2015

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.