RCVS CPD Requirements for Vets and Veterinary Nurses in the UK

Every veterinary surgeon and registered veterinary nurse in the UK is expected to keep their knowledge and skills up to date, and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) sets the rules. The requirements have changed over the years, so it is easy to find out-of-date numbers online. This guide explains the current picture as reported by the RCVS, what counts as CPD, how to record it, and how to avoid problems at registration renewal.

It is general information, not professional advice. Always check the RCVS website for the latest policy before planning your year, because requirements can be updated.

How many CPD hours does the RCVS require?

In June 2019 the RCVS Council agreed to change its CPD policy. From the start of 2020, the RCVS required:

• veterinary surgeons to complete a minimum of 35 hours of CPD each calendar year
• registered veterinary nurses to complete a minimum of 15 hours each calendar year

This replaced the previous system of 105 hours over a rolling three years for vets and 45 hours over three years for nurses. You may still see the older numbers on older web pages, so check the date of any source. The shift to an annual requirement means that catching up at the end of a three-year cycle no longer works.

Regular and relevant

The RCVS describes CPD as needing to be regular and relevant. That means learning that is spread across the year, not squeezed into a few days, and that relates to your role and your development needs. A vet in small animal practice and a vet nurse who works in a referral centre will plan very different learning, and both are acceptable if they are relevant and recorded.

What counts as CPD?

The RCVS has historically described a broad range of activities that can count, including:

• courses, conferences and webinars
• case conferences and in-house training
• inter-practice training sessions and secondments
• mentoring and clinical coaching
• self-directed learning such as journals and study, as long as it is documented
• postgraduate qualifications, such as the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice for vets and relevant modules for nurses

The key is that you can show what you learned and how it relates to your work. For a wider view of how to build a defensible record, see our CPD audit preparation guide.

Undocumented CPD

Many vets and nurses remember a time when a small number of hours of private study could be counted without a written record. The RCVS announced in 2015 that the undocumented allowance, 10 hours a year for vets and 5 for nurses, would end from 1 January 2016. All CPD, including private reading, now needs to be documented. The RCVS made clear that this does not discourage private study. It simply expects it to be recorded.

Recording your CPD

RCVS guidance says that recording CPD is a mandatory professional requirement. According to the RCVS, members were required to use its CPD recording platform from 2022. Whatever the system, good records show:

• the date and the number of hours
• what the activity was and who provided it
• what you learned
• how you applied it, or intend to apply it, in practice

Short reflective notes written soon after the activity are far better than trying to remember it all at renewal time.

Confirming compliance at renewal

When you renew your registration, you confirm that you have complied with the CPD requirement, and a downloadable compliance certificate is available once you do. The RCVS has said that an administration fee applies to people who fail to comply for two or more consecutive years, and its CPD Referral Group reviews cases of non-compliance.

Flexibility for personal circumstances

The RCVS has kept flexibility for people whose circumstances make it hard to meet the requirement, such as parental leave, caring responsibilities or sickness. If this applies to you, tell the RCVS and keep a record of the reason.

Practical tips for a busy practice

• Plan early. At the start of the year, set an outline learning plan and book key courses.
• Use practice time. Case discussions, clinical audits and journal clubs can all count if recorded.
• Record as you go. Block ten minutes after each activity.
• Balance clinical and non-clinical. Communication, leadership and wellbeing training can be as valuable as clinical updates. Our guides on compassion fatigue guide and the healthcare burnout guide are relevant to veterinary teams.
• Support the whole team. Practice managers should check that nurses, as well as vets, have time to complete their hours.

Frequently asked questions

Do vets still need 105 hours over three years?

No. According to the RCVS, from 2020 the requirement is a minimum of 35 hours a year for vets, and 15 hours a year for veterinary nurses. Check the RCVS website for any later change.

Can I count private reading?

Yes, but it must be documented. The RCVS ended the undocumented allowance in 2016.

What happens if I do not meet the requirement?

The RCVS CPD Referral Group can review non-compliance, and a fee can apply to repeated non-compliance. Speak to the RCVS early if you have a problem.

Where can I find more CPD options?

See the CPD hub for professional development options across healthcare and professional services.

Learnsignal will update this guide when the RCVS publishes new policy.