Recognised Qualifications in Veterinary Medicine

In order to be registered on the Register of Veterinary Practitioners you must hold a qualification in veterinary medicine that is recognised for the purpose of registration by the Veterinary Council. The below categories of qualifications may be automatically recognised by the Veterinary Council for the purpose of registration:

i) Qualifications awarded by universities in Ireland that are accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

ii) Qualifications awarded in EU member States listed in Annex V point 5.4.2 of Directive 2005/36/EC.

iii) Qualifications awarded by universities that hold full accreditation/approval status with the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE). For further information click here.

iv) Qualifications awarded by universities in the United Kingdom that are accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)

v) Qualifications awarded after 20 September 2007 by universities accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), where the applicant can provide evicence of having achieved a passing score in the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).

vi) Qualifications awarded by universities that hold full accreditation/approval status with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC).

Qualifications in veterinary medicine that are not recognised by the Veterinary Council for the purpose of registration do not entitle a person to be registered to practise in the State.

Access a listing of recognised programmes in veterinary medicine here.

Qualifications in Veterinary Medicine that are not Recognised

Persons who hold qualifications in veterinary medicine that are not recognised by the Veterinary Council are not entitled to be registered or to practise veterinary medicine in Ireland.

Persons who hold a primary qualification in veterinary medicine that is not recognised are entitled under Section 44 of the Act to apply to have their qualification assessed by the Council, subject to a fee payable, to determine if they can be deemed eligible for registration.

Upon the assessment of a qualification the Council may determine that a qualification is recognised or not recognised for the purpose of registration in Ireland. Upon assessment of a qualification the Council may also determine that an applicant must sit and pass the Veterinary Council’s registration examination in order to be deemed eligible for registration.

To apply to have your qualification assessed for the purpose of registration under Section 44 of the Act, please contact the office team by email to education@vci.ie. Pursuant to the Veterinary Council of Ireland (Fees) Regulations 2022, the fee payable for an application for a veterinary medicine qualification made under Section 44(2)(b) to be assessed is €500. The Veterinary Council of Ireland Schedule of Fees can be viewed here.

Recognised Qualifications in Veterinary Nursing

In order to be registered on the Register of Veterinary Nurses you must hold a qualification in veterinary nursing that is recognised for the purpose of registration by the Veterinary Council. The below categories of qualifications may be automatically recognised by the Veterinary Council for the purpose of registration:

i) Qualifications awarded by universities or instirutions in Ireland that are accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland. For further information click here.

ii) *Qualifications awarded by universities or schools that are accredited by the Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nursing Education (ACOVENE).*Excludes qualifications awarded through programmes delivered principally online. For further information click here.

Qualifications in veterinary nursing that are not recognised by the Veterinary Council for the puspose of registration do not entitle a person to be registered to practise in the State.

Qualifications in Veterinary Nursing that are not Recognised

Persons who hold qualifications in veterinary nursing that are not recognised by the Veterinary Council are not entitled to be registered or to practise veterinary nursing in Ireland.

Persons who hold a primary qualification in veterinary nursing that is not recognised are entitled under Section 96A of the Act to apply to have their qualification assessed by the Council to determine if they can be deemed eligible for registration.

Upon the assessment of a qualification the Council may determine that a person is eligible or ineligible for registration.

To apply to have your qualification assessed for the purpose of registration under Section 96A of the Act, please contact the office team by email to education@vci.ie.

Pursuant to the Veterinary Council of Ireland (Fees) Regulations 2022, the fee payable for an application for a veterinary nursing qualification made under Section 96A(2)(b) to be assessed is €150. The Veterinary Council of Ireland Schedule of Fees can be viewed here.