Register as an overseas-qualified veterinary nurse

About registration

Why you need to register

RCVS registration is a legal requirement. You cannot practise as a veterinary nurse in the UK without it, even temporarily or as a volunteer.  

Who can apply

You must be on the RCVS Register to practise veterinary nursing in the UK. This includes short periods of work, such as a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

To be eligible for registration, you must provide evidence of the following:

• That your qualification is recognised by the Ministry of Education in the country where it was awarded and is similar in content to UK veterinary nursing qualifications.
• That you have experience working in a veterinary practice and can work with minimal supervision. Experience could include time you spent working during your education.
• That you are able to communicate effectively with clients in written and spoken English.

Before you move to the UK

We strongly advise against arriving in the UK before your registration is approved. You can seek employment while waiting for your application to be processed, but you should tell the employer that you’re not yet registered.

Work experience placements

In some circumstances you may be able to complete a short period of work experience in the UK while completing your studies. Email  [email protected] to discuss your training and eligibility.

If you trained as a veterinary surgeon

If you trained as a veterinary surgeon, this does not make you eligible to register as a vet nurse in the UK. You must have a veterinary nursing qualification. Or you can apply to register as a vet.

The registration process

Step 1 – Have your qualifications assessed (Application Forms A and B)

Application Form A (all applicants) 

How to submit your form(s)

Your form(s) and supporting evidence should be submitted via email to [email protected]. We recommend you send large documents over several emails or use a file transfer programme. Do not send applications by post unless this is agreed with us in advance.

Assessment of qualifications fee

We charge a fee for assessing qualifications. After we’ve received your application, we’ll email you within three working days with payment details. You can pay your fee by credit or debit card, or by bank transfer. View current fees.

Application outcomes

You will receive an email confirming the outcome of your application up to eight weeks after you’ve applied. Decisions are valid for two years.

There are three possible outcomes of your application:   

If you don’t agree with our decision

If you don’t agree with our decision, please get in touch with [email protected] so we can discuss your situation. In some cases, additional evidence can be supplied, and the application reviewed. Before you prepare to submit further information, please contact us.

Step 3 - Register

Once your application has been accepted and you’ve passed the pre-registration exam (if applicable), you can apply to join the Register. To complete your registration, you’ll need to:

• Complete a short course about the Code of Professional Conduct
• Provide your original certificate and identity document
• Make your professional declaration
• Pay your registration fee

You will then be formally admitted to the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.

Special cases and exemptions

ACOVENE-accredited qualifications

ACOVENE accreditation means your qualification meets EU standards that align closely with UK requirements. If you hold a qualification accredited by ACOVENE when you achieved it, you need to:

• Complete Application Form A.
• Provide the relevant supporting evidence

Section 9 of the Application Form includes a checklist of evidence you need to provide.

You do not have to:

• Fill in Application Form B
• Take the pre-registration exam
• Unless you graduated outside of the accreditation period

If you achieved an ACOVENE-accredited qualification via distance learning, you must also fill in Application Form B.

ACOVENE-accredited qualifications include:

Other applicants with exemptions

If you hold one of the following qualifications listed, you do not need to complete Application Form B.

However, you’ll still need to:

• Complete Application Form A.
• Provide the relevant supporting evidence.
• Take the pre-registration exam.

It is likely that your application will be accepted as long as you’ve worked in a veterinary practice within the last five years.

These qualifications have been assessed and found equivalent to UK standards:

Distance learning qualifications

We assess distance learning qualifications individually.  You’ll need to provide detailed evidence that your course met the required level of hands-on training. We may contact your course provider for further information.

If you completed distance learning, provide detailed information about:

• Practical training components
• Clinical placement hours
• Hands-on skills assessment
• Supervised work experience 

Supporting documents and requirements

Visa, immigration and work permit requirements

The RCVS does not issue permits for entry to work in the UK and is unable to provide advice on such matters. Acceptance of your application by the RCVS does not mean that a permit to enter and work in the UK will be granted.

Information and assistance can be obtained from the UK Government’s website on visas and immigration.

English language requirements

To work as a vet nurse in the UK, you must be able to communicate effectively with clients in written and spoken English. This is set out in the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses.

We do not currently ask for evidence of your level of English. However, we strongly encourage you to prove that your English language ability meets our standards. You can do this by completing an English Language qualification.

If at any point during the registration process, there is significant doubt about your English language ability, you will be asked to provide additional evidence. You will also be given the option of passing IELTS level 7 (or an equivalent English language qualification at the same level or higher).

Letters of good standing

When you fill in Application Form A, you’ll be asked to provide evidence of your good standing.  There are two ways you can do this:

• A letter of good standing
• An affidavit or declaration

What you need to provide

You must provide a letter of good standing from the relevant professional body in the country where you qualified. This confirms:

• You are or have been registered with them as a veterinary nurse
• You have not been the subject of any disciplinary enquiries
• There are no disciplinary findings against you

If you are unable to provide a Letter or Certificate of good standing you will need to complete an affidavit or declaration.  

The affidavit or declaration is made by you on oath, or in solemn form. It is made before a competent judicial or administrative authority, or notary public. The affidavit will confirm the following:

• The school and date you obtained your qualification
• The specific reason you are not currently registered with a regulatory authority outside the UK (for example, if there isn’t one in your country)
• That you have not been found guilty of serious professional misconduct or employment disciplinary proceedings in the UK or elsewhere  
• That you have not been convicted of any criminal offences in the UK or elsewhere.

If you’re unsure what to submit, contact us at [email protected] or 020 7202 0788.

Applicants with refugee status

Veterinary nurses seeking asylum in the UK can seek financial aid provided by the RCVS to have their qualification assessed and entering the pre-registration examination. Submit evidence of your refugee status with your initial application.

We appreciate that obtaining letters of good standing may be impossible in some circumstances.

Translation of documents

All documents must be in English. You'll need certified translations if your qualifications are in other languages. we appreciate that translating large documents can be expensive; in some cases, we will be able to help you translate documents. Contact us to find out more

Requirements for translations

• Use a certified professional translator
• Include both original and translated versions

We appreciate that translating large documents can be expensive. In some cases, we will be able to help you translate documents. These can be certified by your school or by a qualified translator or translation company.

Application fees

Registration involves the following fees:

• Assessment fee (varies by application type)
• Examination fee (if a pre-registration exam is required)
• Registration fee

Payment methods:

• Credit or debit card (online)
• Bank transfer

Contact the RCVS  for current fee information or visit our fees page.