"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" - Dr Linda Prescott-Clements.

The update will ensure educational standards are aligned with the CertAVP.

The RCVS has issued an update to its accreditation process for postgraduate certificates delivered by external organisations.

Previously, a member applying for Advanced Practitioner (AP) status who had completed a non-accredited qualification could request this be considered for eligibility on an ad hoc basis by the relevant RCVS committees. This was in addition to the review and approval of postgraduate certificates at the request of the education provider.

Under the update, only qualifications that have already been accredited by the RCVS can be used towards an application for AP status. It means that postgraduate certificates already approved for eligibility will, from March 2027, need to be re-accredited under the new quality criteria, and be subject to quality assurance checks.

The approval and monitoring of all relevant qualifications will be overseen by the newly formed Advanced Practitioner Qualifications subcommittee. Qualifications currently recognised as eligible for AP status will remain valid for 18 months.

RCVS president and education committee chair, Professor Tim Parkin, 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.”

RCVS director of education, Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, 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.”

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