The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations Order of Council 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order approves the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations 2005 (“the Regulations”) made by the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (“the RCVS”) under section 11 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. The new Regulations revoke the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations 2003 and the Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 and replace them with the Regulations set out in the Schedule. This Order revokes the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations Order of Council 2003 and the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations Order of Council 2004. It comes into force on 1st April 2006.

The new Regulations give effect to an increase in fees payable for annual registration and retention of names on the registers of the RCVS as set out in the Schedule (Table of Fees Payable). The increase in fees for all categories of membership is 8% with the exception of the fee payable for restoration of a name to the register. The fee payable following a member’s removal for non-payment is increased by 46%.

The Regulations make provision for restoration of a person’s name to the registers, where it has been removed or suspended under section 16(2) of the Act. The same fee applies to such a person as applies to a person whose name has been removed under section 13(2) of the Act. A separate fee is charged to a person whose name has been removed under Regulation 13(1) of the Act (as set out in the Schedule (Table of Fees Payable)).

In cases of repeated removal, the restoration fee payable increases by 100% each time the applicant reapplies for restoration to the register(s).

Non-inclusion of a name in the register for more than a year (rather than the previous 5 year time period) requires the person to submit evidence of their good character for restoration to take effect.

Non-practising members over the age of 70 no longer have to pay a retention fee.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this Instrument.