Registration scenarios
Determine which registration category applies to you by reading these scenarios.
Registration categories
Understanding your professional registration category is essential for veterinary practitioners. This guide explains the distinct registration requirements and categories for veterinary surgeons and nurses in the UK, helping you determine which classification applies to your current practice situation and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
We maintain different registration categories to ensure veterinary professionals meet the right requirements for their career circumstances. Whether you're practising in the UK, working overseas, or taking a career break, there's a category that fits your situation.
On this page
Veterinary surgeons
We offer five registration categories for veterinary surgeons, each with specific permissions and requirements based on where and how you practise.
UK Practising (formerly Home Practising)
This category is for veterinary surgeons who perform acts of veterinary surgery in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man. You'll need this registration if you:
- Practise clinical veterinary medicine or surgery
- Perform any activities that are the sole preserve of a veterinary surgeon under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
- Receive remuneration for veterinary work in these territories
This includes work in private practice, charity organisations, government roles, or any situation where you're acting as a veterinary surgeon.
Practising outside the UK (formerly Overseas Practising)
Choose this category if you're practising veterinary medicine outside the UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man. You can perform acts of veterinary surgery in these territories, but be aware that your professional indemnity insurance may not provide cover for work conducted overseas.
You'll need to make a declaration to the registrar about your intended practice location and activities.
Non-practising
This category suits veterinary surgeons who aren't currently performing clinical work or acts of veterinary surgery. Common situations include:
- Maternity leave
- Travelling
- Retired
- Unemployed
- Working in non-clinical roles
You might work in employment by government departments or agencies, in academia, at research councils, or in industry and commerce. The key distinction is that you're not performing clinical veterinary activities or anything that's the sole preserve of a veterinary surgeon.
Republic of Ireland
We maintain this special category for veterinary surgeons who qualified in the Republic of Ireland before 1 June 1988. If you hold qualifications recognised by the Veterinary Council of Ireland from before this date, you can register in this category to practise in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man.
Vet. Practitioner - SVR
This historical category exists for practitioners who were on the Supplementary Veterinary Register, created in 1949 for those practising before the 1948 Veterinary Surgeons Act came into effect.
Veterinary nurses
Veterinary nurses have two main pathways depending on their current practice status and recent experience.
Registered
Active veterinary nurses who are currently practising or have practised within the last five years register in this category. You must complete compulsory continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain your registration and stay current with professional standards.
This category allows you to use the title RVN and perform all activities within the veterinary nursing scope of practice.
Period of Supervised Practice (PSP)
If you haven't practised as a veterinary nurse for more than five years, you'll need to complete a Period of Supervised Practice before returning to full registration. The PSP requires a minimum of 17 full-time weeks within one year under appropriate supervision.
This pathway ensures you can safely return to practice with current knowledge and skills. Once you complete the PSP successfully, you can move to full registered status.