Royal Charter and legislation

RCVS powers and responsibilities – our Royal Charter and relevant legislation  

As a Royal College, the RCVS has a range of powers and responsibilities to regulate the veterinary profession and protect animal health and welfare. Our role is set out in our Royal Charter and UK law, most notably the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

The Royal Charters relevant to the RCVS  

The RCVS was created by Royal Charter in 1844, which is why we are known as a Royal College. The Charter set out our purpose and responsibilities, and established our primary role as the regulator of the veterinary profession.

Since then, our responsibilities have been updated through two Supplemental Charters, in 1967 and 2015. The most recent Charter always takes precedence.  

The 2015 Supplemental Charter does two important things:

Sets out our purpose (known as the College’s objects):

1. 'To set, uphold and advance veterinary standards, and to promote, encourage and advance the study and practice of the art and science of veterinary medicine, in the interests of the health and welfare of animals and in the wider public interest'.  

It also grants us powers to undertake relevant activities to achieve these objectives.

2. Formally recognises veterinary nursing as a profession, and requires the RCVS to:
   1. Maintain a Register of veterinary nurses (RVNs)
   2. Set rules for RVN registration and supervise their professional conduct through byelaws
   3. Give RVNs associate status with the College
   4. Recognise the Veterinary Nurses’ Council as the body responsible for setting standards for RVN education, training, and conduct  

Other legislation we operate within

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 is the legislation under which we regulate the veterinary profession in the UK.  

It requires us to:  

• Maintain the Register of veterinary surgeons
• Supervise the undergraduate education of veterinary students in the UK and advise on the recognition of veterinary degrees
• Recognise certain veterinary qualifications awarded outside the UK  
• Supervise the professional conduct of veterinary surgeons

In addition to the Act, other government regulations and orders are relevant to our work. These include legislation on:  

• Which universities can award veterinary surgeon degrees
• Recognition of non-UK veterinary qualifications

• Registration rules for veterinary surgeons and practitioners 

   

Rules, regulations and elections  

The RCVS Council makes certain rules and regulations under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. These rules must be approved by Orders of the Privy Council, a body of senior politicians and advisors acting on behalf of HM The King.  

• The rules and regulations cover areas such as:
• Registration
• How veterinary surgeons trained abroad can be examined
• Practise by students
• Elections
• Conduct and disciplinary rules.