What you're actually checking
There are two distinct things to verify, and they often get confused:
- The individual vet is required to be RCVS-registered to practise in the UK. This is set out in the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966; practising without registration is a criminal offence under that Act.
- The practice premises can voluntarily hold accreditation under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS). Around 69% of eligible UK practices are reported to participate, per RCVS figures.
Both are checked through different RCVS tools. Both take under a minute. Both tell you something useful, but they tell you different things — and one isn't really a substitute for the other.
How Core Standards relates to the legal baseline
Within the PSS, Core Standards is the lowest accreditation level — but the requirements it sets out (hygiene, 24-hour emergency cover, staff training, equipment, cost estimation) are largely built around the standards every UK practice is expected to meet under the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct. So a practice accredited at Core Standards level has been independently checked against those baseline expectations. The higher PSS levels (General Practice, Veterinary Hospital, Emergency Service Clinic) go beyond the baseline. A practice that isn't in the PSS at all is still expected to meet the Code's requirements — it just hasn't been independently audited.
Open the RCVS Find a Vet tool
Go to findavet.rcvs.org.uk. It's free, no account needed, and it's the official RCVS source. Anything else — directory listings, a practice's own claims — is a copy. When in doubt, verify against the RCVS directly.
Search by practice name or postcode
Enter the practice name or your postcode. Results typically show name, address, contact details, and — usefully — the registration status and any PSS accreditation. If you're checking a specific person rather than a practice, use the 'Find a Vet' or 'Find an RVN' tabs.
Read the registration status
A registered practice will display a clear status indicator. If a practice doesn't appear in the directory, double-check the spelling, then call the RCVS on 020 7222 2001. Practices occasionally change name or merge — unregistered ones are very rare but worth flagging if you find one.
Note the PSS accreditation level (if any)
If the practice holds PSS accreditation, the directory shows the level. The four levels are explained below. A practice without accreditation isn't necessarily worse — it just hasn't been independently audited under the scheme. Roughly 31% of eligible practices choose not to participate (RCVS figures), which can include excellent practices.
The four PSS accreditation levels
Each level sets out different requirements, and the differences can matter when you're choosing a practice for specific needs. Summary below; full criteria are published at rcvs.org.uk.
RCVS PSS levels
| Level | What accreditation generally confirms | Out-of-hours rules | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Standards | Independent confirmation that the practice meets the standards built around the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct (hygiene, 24-hour emergency cover, staff training, equipment, cost estimation). | Can outsource out-of-hours care to any premises. | Routine care for healthy pets where the practice's facilities suit your needs. |
| General Practice | Everything in Core Standards plus higher requirements for clinical care, team welfare, and client experience. Generally requires at least one Registered Veterinary Nurse. | Out-of-hours referrals must go to another PSS practice at General Practice, Veterinary Hospital, or Emergency Service Clinic level. | A common choice for most pet owners. Suits routine care, surgery, dental work, and most ongoing health needs. |
| Veterinary Hospital | The most extensive PSS accreditation. Equipped for complex cases. Generally requires an RVN on site during all opening hours, plus protocols for handovers between day and night teams. | Out-of-hours work referred only to another Veterinary Hospital or Emergency Service Clinic. | Complex chronic conditions, advanced surgery, intensive care, or when overnight monitoring by qualified staff matters. |
| Emergency Service Clinic | A dedicated out-of-hours / emergency premises. Specific staffing, equipment, and triage protocols. | Provides emergency cover for other practices. | Where your day practice refers you outside opening hours. |
Why the OOH rules matter
If you register with a General Practice or Veterinary Hospital practice, the PSS rules generally mean any emergency cover they refer you to is itself PSS-accredited. With a Core-Standards-level practice or one outside the scheme, that's not guaranteed. Worth asking about explicitly when you visit.
Verifying individuals
The directory lets you check premises and the people working in them.
Vets
Use the 'Check the Register' tool at rcvs.org.uk. Search by name. The register typically shows current registration status, qualifications, any specialist certificates, and disciplinary history if relevant. Renewal is annual and conditional on completing the RCVS's CPD requirement (currently 35 hours per year).
Registered Veterinary Nurses
RVNs are also on the RCVS register. An RVN has completed a recognised qualification and meets RCVS standards. If someone at a practice is described as a 'veterinary nurse' but isn't on the RVN register, they may be a student nurse or animal care assistant — useful roles, but a different role to RVN.
Locums
Locum vets need to be RCVS-registered too. If you see an unfamiliar vet at your practice, you can check their registration the same way.
Verification checklist
The logo test
“Accredited practices can display the RCVS-accredited practice logo at reception, on their website, and on letterhead. If a practice claims accreditation but you can't see the logo anywhere, it's worth verifying through the RCVS directory before taking the claim at face value.”
FetchRated Editorial Team
Independent UK Vet Directory
What to do if something is wrong
If you discover that a practice or individual isn't properly registered, or if you have concerns about clinical care:
- Contact the RCVS directly. Phone 020 7222 2001 or use rcvs.org.uk/concerns.
- You don't necessarily need proof. The RCVS assesses whether to investigate; raising a concern is not the same as filing a formal complaint.
- Outcomes can range from no further action to conditions on practice, suspension, or removal from the register, depending on the case.
- It's usually wise to raise it with the practice first for clinical or service concerns — many resolve through direct conversation. Escalate to the RCVS for issues the practice can't or won't address.
Common questions
Verify in under a minute
Bookmark findavet.rcvs.org.uk. Once you know what you're looking at, the whole verification typically takes less time than reading this guide.
