RCVS introduces new postgrad accreditation and QA processes

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has introduced an updated process for the review and accreditation of postgraduate certificates delivered by external organisations.

The completion of this updated process would allow veterinary surgeons to apply for advanced practitioner (AP) status.

The new procedures align the criteria for accreditation of such postgraduate certificates with those in place for our Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP).

Previously, a member applying for AP status who had completed a non-accredited qualification could ask for this to be considered for eligibility on an ad hoc basis by the relevant RCVS committees.

The change to this process means postgraduate certificates already approved by us for eligibility for AP status will, from March 2027, need to be re-accredited under the new quality criteria and will be subject to ongoing quality assurance checks.

To manage the transition qualifications currently recognised as eligible for AP status will continue to be valid for 18 months.

This allows qualification providers time to submit their documentation for review under the new system and means that vets currently enrolled on these programmes have sufficient time to complete them, should the provider choose not to reapply for accreditation.

Professor Tim Parkin, RCVS president and chair of the education committee, said: “The updates to the review process for qualifications for eligibility towards Advanced Practitioner status will help ensure that educational standards are robust and aligned with the CertAVP, whilst also retaining choice and flexibility for vets wishing to advance their clinical and professional knowledge.

“This will, in turn, ensure that advanced practitioner status continues to be a meaningful recognition of a veterinary surgeon’s particular knowledge and skills in a designated field of veterinary practice and, in doing so, provide reassurance to clients and the public.”

Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, director of education, added: “The updated accreditation procedures will ensure that all qualifications that are eligible to be used towards the criteria for AP status are of equivalent educational quality.

“The process will also ensure that the advanced knowledge acquired as a result of completing these programmes is at an acceptable level in order to be considered as an RCVS Advanced Practitioner. The new accreditation process will consider the content of programmes as well as their educational quality including instructional design and appropriate assessment.”