To apply to change a registered veterinary premises classification, the Certificate of Suitability (COS) Holder is required to complete and return an updated Certificate of Suitability application form in the desired premises classification category.

A premises inspection is then carried out to ensure that the premises is compliant with all the relevant Premises Accreditation Scheme (PAS) Standards and Regulations in the new classification. The submission requirements are listed in the COS application form, which are available here.

The required paperwork can be returned by post to the VCI office or a scanned copy by email to pas@vci.ie.

A copy of the COS application and a report of the premises inspection are first considered by the Practice Premises Committee (PPC), who will then make its recommendations to the Council on whether to grant the new COS or not. All final decisions on whether a COS is granted rests with the Council.

Premises Accreditation Scheme Standards & Regulations

Please read through the PAS Standards and PAS Regulation documents carefully before submitting your COS application. The PAS Standards which must be met will depend
on which classification the application is made under.

Change in Classification Fee

A fee of €400 is applicable if at any stage you make an application to change the classification of a registered veterinary premises.  A change in classification application requires a premises inspection by a Premises Assessor to ensure that the premises meets all the required PAS Standards and Regulations, and consideration by the Council.

Applications can only be accepted once the fee has been paid. The fee can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or online by selecting the appropriate fee here.

Timeline

Please be advised that consideration of COS applications can take up to three months. The PPC and the Council meet 6-8 times a year on dates predetermined at the start of the year. Premises must be ready at time of inspection. If a second assessment of the premises is deemed necessary at any stage by the Veterinary Council in order for an application to be fairly determined, this assessment will be at the expense of the applicant.

Premises inspections must be carried out well in advance of the PPC meeting date. This is to ensure enough time for the premises inspection report to be prepared and to give applicants a chance to address any minor issues identified.

For a list of meeting dates and inspection deadlines, please contact the Executive team by email a pas@vci.ie.

Upon receipt of your full application and payment of the appropriate fee, a member of the Executive team will contact you to discuss the application and your availability for the premises inspection.

Should you have any queries regarding this, please don’t hesitate to contact the VCI Executive office by email to pas@vci.ie.