What am I required to disclose to the RCVS?
Guidance for vets and vet nurses on what you must disclose to the RCVS, what’s excluded, when to disclose, and consequences of not doing so.
What happens once convictions are disclosed to the RCVS?
This page will help you understand how the RCVS assesses criminal convictions, cautions or adverse findings. We understand disclosure can feel daunting, so this page explains what to expect.
We investigate convictions and adverse findings with public safety, animal welfare and professional standards in mind. If you've disclosed to the RCVS, we’ll take your specific circumstances into account, and support you where we can.
On this page
If you're already on the RCVS register
The Registrar will review your case to decide whether there may be a concern about your fitness to practise.
How we assess your case
We consider several factors when evaluating whether your conviction affects your fitness to practise:
- The nature and seriousness of the offence
- How long ago it happened
- The circumstances surrounding the conviction
- Any pattern of behaviour
- Your understanding of the situation
- Steps you've taken toward rehabilitation
- Risk to animals, the public, or the profession’s reputation
What happens next
If the Registrar finds no arguable case that your fitness to practise is impaired, we'll close the case. If concerns remain, we'll refer your case to the Preliminary Investigation Committee for further review.
The Preliminary Investigation Committee will investigate thoroughly and decide whether to:
- Close the case with no further action
- Issue advice or a warning
- Refer you to the Disciplinary Committee
- Refer you to our Health Protocol if health issues were a factor
What makes referral more likely
We're more likely to refer cases involving:
- Violence against people or animals
- Dishonesty, fraud, or theft
- Animal welfare offences
- Drink or drug driving
- Sexual offences
- Offences involving controlled drugs
Relevant animal welfare legislation includes the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for England and Wales, the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, and the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 2011.
What makes referral less likely
We're less likely to refer cases involving minor offences such as:
- Speeding or minor motoring offences
- Minor public order matters
- Cautions for very minor matters
Aggravating and mitigating circumstances
We'll consider circumstances that make the matter more or less serious.
Aggravating factors include:
- Abuse of a professional position
- Premeditated offences
- Lack of insight
Mitigating factors include:
- Genuine remorse
- Steps towards rehabilitation
- Personal contributory circumstances
If you're applying to join the RCVS register
When you apply for registration, you must declare any criminal convictions or adverse findings.
Our assessment process
The Registrar will assess your application using the same criteria as for current registrants. If concerns remain, the case will be referred to the Preliminary Investigation Committee.
The Registrar will notify you within three months whether your application has been approved or referred to the Preliminary Investigation Committee.
If we refer your case to the Committee, they'll investigate and make a recommendation about your fitness to practise. This may include conditions on your registration or, in serious cases, refusing registration entirely.
If health issues contributed to your offending behaviour, we may refer you to our Health Protocol instead of pursuing disciplinary action.
Your right to appeal
If we make an adverse decision about your application, you have the right to appeal. We'll provide full details of the appeals process in our written notification.