Chris Jordan, veterinary surgeon at Companion Care vets in Chingford, Essex, is the 500^th vet to sign up to the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP), which was launched in 2007.  

Having completed his Professional Development Phase in July, Chris is now working towards a designated certificate in Small Animal Surgery. He said: "The qualification looks well structured and I think it will serve me well whether I continue as a general practitioner or take up a more surgery-focused role."

Freda Andrews, RCVS Head of Education, said: "The modular approach means vets have much more choice about how and what they study. All certificates show the modules assessed, so that it is easy for veterinary employers to see what a vet has studied, whether or not they have taken a 'named' certificate."

To gain the qualification, vets must first enrol with the RCVS, and then enter for assessment in a combination of core and optional modules through an RCVS-accredited institution. Vets then have ten years in which to complete the qualification.  Study can be entirely self-directed; however, there are a number of courses on offer from educational institutions to help vets prepare for assessment.  Distance and online learning is a feature of many of these courses.

Vets who want to pursue an area of interest for continuing professional development without working towards any certificate, can equally enrol for assessment in any of the 85 individual modules currently available; this is done directly through the institutions offering assessment and does not need enrolment with the RCVS.  Full details of enrolment and module requirements can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/modcerts

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