Veterinary Practitioners with qualifications in veterinary medicine not automatically recognised by the Veterinary Council for the purpose of registration may be required by the Council to sit and pass a registration examination. The purpose of the examination is to enable the Council to determine if the education and training undergone by a veterinary practitioner, where their primary qualification in veterinary medicine is not automatically recognised, is of a satisfactory standard to enable registration on the Register of Veterinary Practitioners.

Candidates for the registration examination can only avail of the examination where they have been offered an invitation to sit the examination by the Council following an application for registration under section 44 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, as amended (“the Act”). See Registrable Qualifications for further information about applications for registration under Section 44.

The registration examination takes place in two parts. Part 1 contains a written assessment, and Part 2 contains a practical assessment. Participants may only proceed to Part 2 upon successful completion of Part 1.

The registration examination takes place once annually, and there is a fee associated with availing of both Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination.

To find out further information in relation to the registration examination, including the next available examination dates and preparatory reading lists, please email education@vci.ie.