The RCVS has contacted 1,415 veterinary surgeons asking them to share their CPD records as part of its annual audit of compliance.The RCVS has contacted 1,415 veterinary surgeons asking them to share their CPD records as part of its annual audit of compliance.

Those veterinary surgeons being audited are being asked to share their records for 2013 to 2015 by either allowing the College to access their online Professional Development Record or by sending the RCVS a copy of their CPD record cards. The deadline for sharing records is Friday 14 October 2016.

The audit is focused on six groups:

  • 585 vets who have not confirmed their CPD compliance when renewing their registration for two consecutive years;
  • a random sample of 400 vets who said they were compliant when renewing their registration in 2016;
  • 124 vets who were found to be non-compliant in the 2015 audit;
  • 98 vets who did not respond when asked to share their records in the 2015 audit;
  • 84 graduate veterinary surgeons who have not responded to any communication about the Professional Development Phase;
  • 124 vets who said they were not compliant as part of the 2016 annual renewal process.

If any of the veterinary surgeons who have been audited are found to be non-compliant (ie. less than 105 hours of CPD over a rolling three-year period), they will be asked to explain why and send a plan stating how they will make up the hours in order to become compliant. 

The College says it is also keen to remind veterinary surgeons that CPD encompasses a wide range of recorded activities, which can be clinical or non-clinical, including private reading/study, webinars, mentoring, clinical audit and discussion groups as well as attending seminars and workshops.

More information about what counts as CPD can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/cpd

Those with any questions about the auditing process or what constitutes CPD can contact Jenny Soreskog-Turp, Education Officer at the College, on cpd@rcvs.org.uk

Ed's note: Don't forget to claim your VetSurgeon.org CPD certificate detailing time you've recorded reading content and taking part in qualifying discussions on the site. Click 'My Account' and then the 'CPD' tab to view your records and create your certificate.

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.