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The annual renewal fee for veterinary nurses is due for payment on 1 November every year, although you have up to midnight on 31 December to pay before you're removed from the Register.
Of the 295 removed from the register this year, over 25 subsequently applied for restoration to the Register and paid an £118 fee.
Although the number of removals has increased slightly from the previous year, when 247 veterinary nurses came off the Register for non-payment, it is far fewer than 2016 when 692 were removed for non-payment.
Nicola South, Head of Registration at the College, said: "Over the past two years we have been making use of text messages and emails to remind veterinary nurses, and veterinary surgeons, to pay their annual fee to remain on the Register and I think the falling number of removals in the years since we introduced this is testament to the effectiveness of these methods.
"However, there are still some individuals who are slipping through the net and we would remind veterinary nurses that a considerable fee needs to be paid to the restore to the Register if their registration lapses. Furthermore it is then technically illegal for them to practice and perform any procedures that fall under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act."
A list of those who have been removed from the Register on 1 January 2018, and who haven’t subsequently been restored, has been published to assist practices in making checks to ensure that all their veterinary nursing staff are still on the Register. This list can be found at: www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/check-the-register/about-the-vn-register/
Those with questions about how to restore to the Register should contact the College’s Registration Department on 020 7202 0707 or registration@rcvs.org.uk.
For questions about paying the annual renewal fee or setting up a Direct Debit contact the RCVS Finance Department on 020 7202 0723 or finance@rcvs.org.uk
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.