Become an Official Veterinarian (OV) or set up a new OV practice
How to get authorised as an OV, maintain your authorisation and set up a new practice, and what to do if you will be tuberculin (TB) skin testing.
Official Veterinarians (OVs) are private practice veterinarians who are qualified to deliver government-funded statutory testing and other veterinary services on behalf of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
APHA will authorise any person as an OV who:
- is a full member or fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), or approved by the RCVS to practise veterinary medicine for a specified period of time in the UK as an EU national
- holds the appropriate Official Controls Qualification (Veterinary) (OCQ(V))
- is regarded by the Agency as suitable for carrying out tasks on behalf of ministers, taking into account any previous performance as an official or veterinary surgeon
All OVs are authorised under the policy for authorisation of official veterinarians in Great Britain (GB). You must read this document before becoming an OV and refer to it while you’re authorised.
How to become an OV
To become an OV you must register with Improve International and complete the relevant OCQ(V) training. Before you do any training you should check which qualification(s) are needed for the work you’ll be doing.
Learn more about OCQ(V)s at Improve International.
APHA will grant your OV authorisation when you’ve completed the training and have met all the qualification requirements. Authorisation can take up to 10 working days and you’ll be notified by email when it’s granted. You must wait until your authorisation is confirmed before starting any OV work.
If you’re a new OV, APHA will then send your official OV stamp with your unique OV number to you by post. You’ll need to use your stamp on official documents to certify them.
OV training costs
You or your employer will be responsible for training costs.
Prospective and current OVs working in Scotland may be eligible to claim a Scottish Government funded code for OCQ(V) - SS (statutory surveillance) and OCQ(V) - TT (tuberculin tester) training.
What to do if you’ll be TB testing
If you’ll be carrying out TB testing you must pass the OCQ(V) - TT theory exam and complete the following steps.
- You must nominate a supervisor.
- Your supervisor must accept the role.
- You must apply to enrol in Sam, APHA’s online system for recording TB test results.
APHA will then grant you conditional authorisation so you can complete a period of practical training and assessment. You must not start any TB testing until you’ve received confirmation of your conditional authorisation by email.
When you’ve successfully completed your practical assessment, APHA will grant your full authorisation.
Non-statutory TB testing in zoos
You may not need to complete the OCQ(V) - TT training if you’ll be carrying out non-statutory TB testing in zoological conditions. Learn more about training and requirements for carrying out zoological TB testing.
Exporting pets to Australia
If you are an OV who has an OCQ(V) for companion animals or small animal exports, you can certify pet exports to Australia.
From 4 November 2024, an additional authorisation from APHA, specifically to export dogs and cats to Australia (OV66 authorisation) will be available. Pets may be eligible for a minimum of 10 days’ quarantine on arrival in Australia, instead of 30 days, if OVs with OV66 authorisation complete:
- export preparation relating to rabies blood sampling, including confirmation of results
- pet identity checks
- export health certification
At least two OV66-authorised OVs, from separate practices, must complete the processes for each animal to be exported.
Read the guidance on the requirements to export of dogs and cats to Australia.
You can apply for OV66 authorisation immediately, but it will only be granted from 4 November 2024, when the new process comes into effect.
Maintaining your qualifications and authorisation
Your authorisation will be suspended if you do not maintain your qualification(s). Most qualifications must be revalidated every 4 years by completing an online course and exam. Improve International will send you reminders of your revalidation deadline(s) by email.
If you do not revalidate by the deadline your authorisation will be suspended. You’ll have 6 months to revalidate it before it expires. If you hold an OCQ(TT) qualification, your Sam access will also be revoked. If you complete your revalidation within the period of suspension, the OV team will arrange for your Sam access to be reinstated.
If your authorisation expires you’ll need to complete your OV training again. APHA’s OV team will then arrange for your Sam access to be reinstated.
Extensions and exceptions
You can apply for an extension or exception if you cannot complete either the:
- OCQ(V) revalidation within the specified deadline, or
- OCQ(V) - TT training requirements within the period of conditional authorisation
Extensions and exceptions can only be given in certain situations. Details can be found in the TR588 application form.
Apply for an extension or exemption to the training and revalidation requirements (TR588).
If your OCQ(V) - TT authorisation has expired within the past 4 years and you want to be reauthorised, you can apply to waive the requirement to repeat the practical training and assessment for reauthorisation. You must provide evidence of any TB audit carried out in the past 4 years with your application. You’ll still need to complete the full OCQ(V) - TT theory course and exam.
Maintaining your OV records
You are responsible for making sure all your details recorded on Improve International are correct.
Change your name or transfer to another practice on Sam
To change your details on Sam you must first update your Improve International account information. You must then complete either the:
Your information will be processed and updated on Sam within 10 working days.
Get a replacement stamp
If your OV stamp has been lost, damaged or stolen you must complete the OV45 form to get a new stamp and send it to APHA’s OV team. The OV team will send you a replacement stamp within 10 working days of receiving the form.
If your stamp has been stolen you must report the theft to the police. If you’re given a crime reference number you must include it on the OV45 form.
If your RCVS UK practising membership ends
Your OV authorisations will expire if you’re no longer a UK practising RCVS member. To become an OV again you’ll need to restore your RCVS membership and contact APHA’s OV team to apply for your authorisation to be reinstated.
If you know that your RCVS membership is about to change (for example, because of parental leave), you can apply to suspend your OV authorisation to stop it from expiring.
How to stop being an OV
If your OV status is no longer needed you can either:
- deregister as an OV, or
- allow your OV authorisation to expire by choosing not to revalidate your qualification(s)
How to destroy your official OV stamp
When your authorisation ends you must destroy your official OV stamp. You can do this yourself or post it to APHA’s OV team to do it for you. If you want to destroy your stamp yourself, you must:
- Peel off the rubber containing the unique number.
- Cut the rubber off and dispose of the rubber and number separately.
- Take a picture of the destroyed stamp and email it to [email protected].
Setting up a new practice
New practices must download and complete the new OV practice forms, then return them to APHA by post.
After the forms are returned, your local APHA office may decide to inspect your practice. When they have confirmed that your practice can be set up, APHA’s OV team will complete the process and notify you. The OV team will ensure that all OV records are created and updated, and that relevant documentation is sent out.
Updates to this page
Published 5 August 2024Last updated 11 October 2024 + show all updates
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Added a section on exporting pets to Australia.
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First published.