Applicants for registration with the Veterinary Council of Ireland who have obtained their qualification outside of Ireland are required to satisfy the Council that they have the necessary knowledge and competency in English to communicate effectively in the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing, in the interests of animal health and welfare, public health and public interest.

This requirement is important in our role as a regulator in safeguarding the public and in the interest of animal health and welfare. A registrant’s language competence must enable them to communicate and understand animal owners and clients, and to discharge their professional obligations as a veterinary practitioner or veterinary nurse in Ireland.

An applicant for registration shall not be registered in the Register unless he or she provides acceptable evidence of language competence. Language competency requirements are imposed for the purposes of registration with the Veterinary Council of Ireland only, and in accordance with the Council’s Registration Regulations 2022, pursuant to the EU Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC, and the European Union Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regulations 2017.

 

The VCI accept the following criteria as being satisfactory to assure language competence:

1)A certificate, no older than two years on the date of submission, attesting that the holder has attained a standard of competence in the English language from any of the below recognised bodies or authorities:

• IELTS Academic certificate with a required overall band score of 7 or above – IELTS Academic 
• OET certificate with a required overall grade of B or above – OET
• Cambridge C1 Advanced certificate – formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) with a Minimum grade of C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) – Cambridge C1 Advanced 

OR

2) Evidence of living and undertaking a programme of education through English for three out of the preceding five years in a country that has English recognised as an official language.

OR

3) Evidence of living and practicing in a professional capacity through English for a period of three out of the preceding five years in a country that has English recognised as an official language.

 

When are English language checks carried out by the Veterinary Council of Ireland?

• English language checks are carried out after the recognition of professional qualifications and prior to registration in respect of applications for registration made under Sections 43 and 95A of the Act (trained in EU).

• English language checks are carried out prior to the recognition of professional qualifications in respect of applications for registration made under Sections 44 and 96A of the Act (third country qualifications). English language checks are not carried out in respect of applications for registration made under Sections 42 and 95(1) of the Act (trained in the State, on the basis that they have undergone training delivered in English).

 

Further queries may be directed to registration@vci.ie or info@vci.ie

 

Language Competency requirements approved by the Veterinary Council on 25 May 2023.