How VDS Supports RCVS CPD Requirements for Vets & RVNs

With veterinary practice feeling busier than ever, thinking ahead to planning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for 2026 can feel daunting. However, your VDS membership offers a range of learning opportunities that can help you meet your RCVS CPD requirements in a flexible and practical way.

This blog post explains what counts towards RCVS CPD and how VDS learning resources can help vets and RVNs meet their annual CPD obligations in a flexible, practical way.

RCVS CPD requirements for vets and RVNs

The RCVS sets specific CPD requirements for veterinary surgeons and RVNs. Full details are available on the RCVS website, and it’s your responsibility to stay up to date with any changes to CPD rules or expectations.

RCVS specifies the number of CPD hours that must be completed each year. When selecting CPD activities, it’s worth considering what will be most relevant and beneficial to both you and your practice.

What counts as CPD under RCVS guidance?

RCVS CPD is not limited to clinical training. Both clinical and non-clinical CPD can count, provided the learning helps you perform your role more effectively. This includes areas such as communication skills, leadership, management, resilience and complaints handling.

CPD activities for vets and RVNs generally fall into three categories:

1. Workplace-based CPD

• Significant event analysis
• Case or practice discussions
• Clinical audit
• Shadowing colleagues
• In-house training
• Peer review and feedback

2. Formal CPD activities

• Courses, seminars and workshops
• Clinical skills labs
• Conferences
• Distance and online learning
• Studying for an external qualification

3. Self-directed CPD

• Reading veterinary journals and professional press
• Research
• Preparing lectures or presentations
• Writing articles or papers
• Work-based observation

How VDS membership supports RCVS CPD

VDS membership provides vet and RVN members access to a range of opportunities that may count towards RCVS CPD requirements.

As a VDS member, you can:

• Read the VDS newsletter, published three times a year, covering topical issues, risk management insights and real-life case examples with our famous cautionary tales.
• Access VDS Advice Notes via the VDS website*. Written by expert claims advisers, these resources support CPD in areas such as medication errors, complaints handling and working outside your usual scope of practice.
• Attend VDS Training courses at a discounted member rate. Courses focus on non-clinical CPD topics including communication, leadership, resilience and managing challenging situations. Trainign options include online learning, workshops and bespoke coaching for individuals or whole practice teams.
• Use VetSafe - included in your VDS membership and available to all members of your practice team, VetSafe incorporates a confidential tool for reporting incidents and near misses. Resources and tools to support case discussions, morbidity and mortality rounds, reflective learning and shared insights from veterinary professionals are all available on the VetSafe website. Plus, there’s 6 hours of FREE CPD upon completion of our VetSafe Essentials course.
• Attend free webinars, either live or on demand, including joint webinar series delivered with organisations such as BVA.
• Take part in VDS events, such as the Recent Graduate Event.

*You must be logged in as a VDS member to access member-only content.

Recording your RCVS CPD

All CPD activities should be recorded using the RCVS 1CPD digital platform. This includes:

• The type of CPD activity
• Time spent
• Reflection on learning outcomes
• How the CPD has impacted your veterinary practice

Maintaining accurate CPD records is a key part of meeting RCVS standards.

Accessing your VDS member benefits

If your practice has VDS cover but you're unsure how to access your full member benefits, or you don’t have your login details, please contact the VDS membership team on +44 (0)1565 652737. You can also update your contact preferences if you’re not receiving the VDS newsletter or would prefer a digital version.

CVE requirements for Irish members

For Irish members, VCI Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) requirements differ slightly from RCVS CPD. Full details are available on the Veterinary Council of Ireland website, and find outh information on how VDS membership supports CVE requirements here.

VetSafe is provided by VDS Support Limited (trading as VDS Support). VDS Training Services Limited (trading as VDS Training) and VDS Support Limited are wholly owned subsidiaries of The Veterinary Defence Society Limited (VDS).