Veterinary surgeons whose degree is not recognised by the RCVS sit the statutory membership examination. The fee structure is £1,437 entry (£1,129 exam + £308 admin) plus £1,129 for the OSCE. The written stage is an MCQ plus an open-book Code paper, across three clinical areas (companion animal / production + veterinary public health / equine) — candidates must pass all three — followed by a multi-station OSCE. The cycle runs December (notice of intention) → January (application) → March (written) → autumn (OSCE): roughly 15 months end-to-end. Its importance grows from January 2029, when the EAEVE European-degree route closes and non-listed-degree vets all route through this exam.
Entry requirements & restrictions
- English language test minimums
- IELTS Academic 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component, or OET minimum Grade B in each component; exempt if degree taught and examined entirely in English[4]
- Documents with intention to sit form
- Original or certified degree certificate; transcripts if available; registration certificate or licence; passport photo page; self-assessment skills list; English exemption proof if needed[5]
- Letter of good standing required with formal application
- Required[6]
What it costs to qualify
- Resit fees: clinical domain, Professional Conduct, OSCE domain
- £513 each (£462 exam + £51 admin); full OSCE retake £1,437[3]
Sources & verification
- Statutory membership exam fees: £1,437 entry (£1,129 exam + £308 admin) plus £1,129 OSCE; written MCQ plus open-book Code paper across three clinical areas (companion / production+VPH / equine), pass all three, then a multi-station OSCE, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶 source re-checked
- Exam cycle: December intention → January application → March written → autumn OSCE; roughly 15 months end-to-end, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 source re-checked
- Resit fees: clinical domain, Professional Conduct, OSCE domain: £513 each (£462 exam + £51 admin); full OSCE retake £1,437, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 🔶 source re-checked
- English language test minimums: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component, or OET minimum Grade B in each component; exempt if degree taught and examined entirely in English, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 🔶 source re-checked
- Documents with intention to sit form: Original or certified degree certificate; transcripts if available; registration certificate or licence; passport photo page; self-assessment skills list; English exemption proof if needed, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 source re-checked
- Letter of good standing required with formal application: Required, source, Last verified 2026-10-14 source re-checked
Verified reference information, not professional, medical, legal or careers advice. Regulations change; always check the cited primary source before relying on it.