SEVEN veterinary surgeons who took
their final assessments at the University
of Liverpool on 6th September have
become the first to receive the RCVS
Certificate in Advanced Veterinary
Practice with equine designations.
“I was very impressed by the
quality of all the candidates and the
diligence of the examination process,”
said Dr Mark Holmes, a member of
the RCVS sub-committee for the
CertAVP, who observed the
assessments at Liverpool. “It is clear
that candidates putting themselves
forward for ‘named’ certificates have
demonstrated particular interest in their
chosen fields and place considerable
value on passing their synoptic
examination.”
The modular certificates were
introduced in 2007 to be a more
flexible replacement for the old-style
postgraduate certificates. Vets can now
choose from 79 subject modules, with
RCVS-accredited assessments offered
by a range of universities. These
institutions may also offer associated
courses which vets can take to support
their studies, although candidates are
free to choose where and how they
wish to study.
To build their credits into the full
CertAVP qualification, candidates must
first enrol with the RCVS, which keeps
a record of modules achieved.
Candidates need to take two
compulsory modules, and several of a
range of optional modules, within 10
years in order to receive the award.
Candidates aiming for a designated
award must choose specific modules
from amongst the options, and
additionally pass what the College calls
“an overarching synoptic assessment”.
For more information about the
qualification, see
www.rcvs.org.uk/modcerts.
