Revalidation Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on a question below to be taken to the corresponding answer. Alternatively, you can type your question or a key term into the box that appears when you click on the blue 'Help' button at the bottom
For questions not specifically related to revalidation, please click here.
Where do I find AHC guidance/an example AHC?
How will the recent changes to revalidation intervals affect me?
I have not received any information about revalidation; how do you let me know?
Will Improve send me reminders so I know when my revalidation is due?
How much does it cost to revalidate?
Why do I have to pay? OV training used to be free.
I don’t use a computer. Is there another way to complete my revalidation?
What is the earliest date I can start the training?
Do I need to book time off work to do my revalidation?
How long is the revalidation training?
What happens if I do not revalidate?
I have decided not to revalidate. How do I stop the reminders?
I have enrolled on the wrong course. What should I do?
I have failed my revalidation exam. What happens now?
I was on my maternity leave/outside the UK when my revalidation was due. What do I do now?
When does the next revalidation date begin?
What if I’m late revalidating?
Do I have to revalidate prerequisite qualifications (OCQ(V) - ES and OCQ(V) - EX)?
I use my TB testing qualification to test other species, not cattle. How do I revalidate this?
Do I need to upload a certificate to confirm an APHA or VDP audit?
Which species are covered by the OCQ(V) - UX course?
Do I need to be working with all the species covered by the OCQ(V) - UX to be able to revalidate?
General:
Where do I find AHC guidance/an example AHC?
Guidance for the completion of an AHC has been added to the OCQ(V) - CA (Companion Animals) and OCQ(V) - CAr (Companion Animals revalidation) courses.
To access this, you will need to:
- Log in to your Personal Training Dashboard
- Access your online learning, either by scrolling down to the 'Access online learning' button on your overview page or by clicking through to your CA/CAr training details page
- Once on Moodle (the online learning platform), scroll down to view your courses
- Select OCQ(V) - CA or OCQ(V) - CAr
- Go to Module 6 (CA) or Module 5 (CAr)
- Scroll down to 'Example AHC' and click through the tabs and buttons to view the guidance for each page of the AHC
How will the recent changes to revalidation intervals affect me?
Following a review of OCQ(V) training, APHA made the decision to standardise revalidation intervals to four years. This was a staged process. The Briefing Note outlining the review and feedback can be seen here.
If you already hold a qualification, either through taking the OCQ(V) previously or inheriting the qualification through grandfather rights, you will keep your current revalidation date for this cycle.
For example:
…for OCQ(V) - TT awarded by grandfather rights in 2015:
- Registered before April 2015
- First revalidation 2017
- Second revalidation 2020
- Third revalidation 2024
…for OCQ(V) - TT passed on or before 31st January 2019:
- Keep latest revalidation cycle and complete revalidation by the due date
- Subsequent revalidations at four-yearly intervals
…for OCQ(V) - TT passed after 31st January 2019:
- First revalidation four years from passing online exam
- Second revalidation four years from previous revalidation due date
I have not received any information about revalidation; how do you let me know?
We will send you a number of emails as your revalidation date approaches, starting six months before the revalidation deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure that all your registered information is kept up to date, including your unique personal email address, in order to receive the reminders. Please check that emails from Improve International are not being diverted to your spam folder.
Will Improve send me reminders so I know when my revalidation is due?
Yes, Improve will send all OVs regular reminders in the lead up to their revalidation dates. These will be sent to the email address registered on the database, so it is important that this address is one that is monitored and that it recognises the Improve International enquiries email address as a trusted address rather than diverting the reminders to your spam file. The first reminder will be sent six months before the revalidation deadline of each qualification. All reminders go to the unique personal email address registered. You will also receive status updates every six months. These will tell you when each of your qualifications is due for revalidation.
Please log in to your Personal Training Dashboard, then you can either click on the 'Revalidation' link on the left, or scroll down to the relevant OCQ(V) and click 'Enrolment for revalidation and revalidation information'. Once you pay you will gain access to course materials.
How much does it cost to revalidate?
Each OCQ(V) costs £99 plus VAT to revalidate.
Why do I have to pay? OV training used to be free.
The training has never been free but it used to be subsidised by APHA. The training is no longer underwritten by Defra/APHA, hence there is a cost to cover the management of the database and the training and accreditation as well as telephone and email support.
I don’t use a computer. Is there another way to complete my revalidation?
Not at the moment. Government policy is ‘digital by default’. However, please do get in touch via our helpline (0330 202 0380) and our customer services team will endeavour to help you.
What is the earliest date I can start the training?
You may enrol to revalidate at any time. You can complete the revalidation of OCQ(V) courses up to six months before the revalidation deadline without changing your future revalidation date.
For example, if your OCQ(V) - PX revalidation date is on the 31st March 2023 and you complete your revalidation at any time between the 1st October 2022 and the 31st March 2023, your next revalidation for this OCQ(V) will be reset to the 31st March 2027. However, if you complete the revalidation on the 30th September 2022, your next revalidation date will be set for the 30th September 2026.
The revalidation date is reset when you sign the revalidation declarations. This is the final step in the revalidation process. You can enrol on a revalidation course early and complete the course at a time to suit you. If you do not wish to bring forward your next revalidation date you can return to the course and complete the declarations in the six-month window before your revalidation deadline.
You will need to ensure you have enough time to complete ALL the requirements before your revalidation deadline.
I am worried that I might forget to return to the course to complete the declarations. Will I still get reminders?
Yes. Revalidation reminders will continue until you have completed the final declarations.
Do I need to book time off work to do my revalidation?
Not necessarily. The training will all be online and can be accessed and studied at any time from anywhere; all you need is a computer with internet access.
How long is the revalidation training?
Whilst everyone studies at their own pace, the revalidation training is equivalent to between three and ten hours of CPD. CPD allocation for a revalidation course includes time spent on certification exercises.
Please note, as of 2nd November 2020, there is no longer a requirement to log CPD as part of your revalidation process. CPD hours awarded after completion of revalidation courses can still be used towards the RCVS CPD requirement.
It is no longer appropriate for vets authorised to perform official functions to be trained once and then given minimal support for the rest of their careers. Procedures change, skills can be lost and it is important that vets are confident that their knowledge is up to date when they carry out an official function, not least to have a defence should something go wrong. Other professions have introduced revalidation and, while it may not be a requirement for many aspects of veterinary practice, it is considered essential for duties discharged on behalf of the Government in order to meet international standards. For this reason, APHA has introduced a revalidation requirement for OCQ(V)s to provide assurance that OVs are maintaining and continuously improving their competence and applying the same to their work.
What happens if I do not revalidate?
If you do not complete revalidation within the permitted timeframe, your status will be automatically suspended. You will be informed by email from APHA and you will not be allowed to use the OCQ(V). While suspended, you can still complete the revalidation course within six months of the missed deadline. If you do not complete revalidation within six months after your revalidation due date, your status will be expired, and you will have to enrol on and complete the full OCQ(V) if you wish to regain your authorisation.
If you wish to appeal against your status being expired, you should contact the CSC One Health OV Team (APHA), as the final decision rests with them. If you are aware of any exceptional or mitigating circumstances, it is worth contacting APHA as soon as possible to avoid the necessity to retrain.
I have decided not to revalidate. How do I stop the reminders?
If you have decided not to revalidate, please follow the below instructions:
- Log in to your Personal Training Dashboard
- Find the relevant course on the 'Overview' page and click 'Details'
- On the 'Training details' page, locate the 'Revalidation' section
- Tick the box that is labelled ‘If you DO NOT intend to revalidate this OCQ(V) when your revalidation is due, please check the box and click 'Update''
- Click the 'Update' button
This will stop the reminder emails and your OV status for this qualification will be expired on your revalidation due date.
I have enrolled on the wrong course. What should I do?
If you have enrolled on the wrong course, please contact Improve International by calling 0330 202 0380 or emailing enquiries@improve-ov.com.
I have failed my revalidation exam. What happens now?
You have two further attempts to pass the exam. There is an enforced two-week study period between each retake. If, during this time, your revalidation date has passed, you will be suspended by APHA until you pass the exam. Whilst suspended you can’t use this OCQ(V). If you fail on the third attempt your status for this qualification will be revoked and you will be required to take and pass the full course to regain your OV authorisation. If you would like feedback from ISVPS before you retake the exam, please contact them via email: enquiries@isvps.org.
I was on my maternity leave/outside the UK when my revalidation was due. What do I do now?
Please contact the APHA OV Team on 0208 026 1094 or via email at CSCOneHealthOVTeam@apha.gov.uk to discuss further actions.
I am going on maternity leave/will be working outside Great Britain over my revalidation due date. What do I do now?
There is nothing to stop you from doing your revalidation from outside the country or from home. Courses are easy to access; all you need is an internet connection to complete your online learning. Provided you can fulfil all the requirements you can also enrol and revalidate early.
When does the next revalidation date begin?
That depends on when you took your last exam. Revalidation cycles are now four years and have a six-month window before the revalidation deadline during which they can be completed without bringing forward the next revalidation date.
What if I’m late revalidating?
If you do not complete your revalidation by the due date, you will be automatically suspended, and must not use the qualification. You can then still complete the revalidation course within six months of the missed deadline. If you do not revalidate within this time, you will be expired, and will have to enrol on and pass the full OCQ(V) in order to regain your authorisation.
Do I have to revalidate prerequisite qualifications (OCQ(V) - ES and OCQ(V) - EX)?
On 2nd November 2020, the requirements for revalidating the OCQ(V) - ES (Essential Skills) and the OCQ(V) - EX (Exports General) changed. Now, you only have to complete a separate revalidation course for Essential Skills if the OCQ(V) - ES is the only qualification you hold (excluding the OCQ(V) - CA). Similarly, you only have to complete a separate revalidation course for Exports General if the OCQ(V) - ES and the OCQ(V) - EX are the only qualifications you hold (excluding the OCQ(V) - CA).
If you hold any other qualifications for which ES or both ES and EX are prerequisites, the relevant content will instead be included in the revalidation course for that qualification. It is a requirement that OVs review the ES/EX content at least once every four years, but completion of the content is at their own discretion – it is not compulsory in order to record completion of revalidation courses.
However, it is advised that OVs keep their knowledge up to date, as ES/EX exam questions will be included in the exam of any revalidation course for which these courses are prerequisites.
Will the content of the revalidation courses change in light of EU Exit? If so, will I need to pay to get the new information?
The content of the courses is under constant review by the APHA and will be updated when required. In the interim, OVs will be notified of all updates through OV Briefing Notes and technical notices. Further information can be found on the APHA website here.
Once you are enrolled on a revalidation course you will continue to have access to the course material, even after you have passed the exam (until six months before your next revalidation due date). You will be able to return to the course to view any updates at no extra cost. New content will be highlighted and dated.
OCQ(V) - TT revalidation
My OCQ(V) - TT revalidation will be due soon but I will be away on maternity leave. What will happen?
If you can fulfil all the requirements of the revalidation it is possible for you to revalidate before or during your maternity leave. If you are not able to do this you should contact the APHA OV Team by emailing CSC One Health OV Team (APHA). Further details on how APHA will manage exceptional/varied circumstances are available on APHA's Vet Gateway – to view these, please click here.
I live in a very low TB testing area but need to retain my TB testing qualification. What can I do about this?
If you have not tested 30 animals in the four-year revalidation cycle due to the region in which you work, you should contact the APHA OV Team by emailing CSC One Health OV Team (APHA). TFurther details on how APHA will manage exceptional/varied circumstances are available on APHA's Vet Gateway – to view these, please click here.
I use my TB testing qualification to test other species, not cattle. How do I revalidate this?
Provided you have tested 30 animals in the last four years, you can revalidate the qualification. If you have not tested 30 animals, you should contact the APHA OV Team to request an exemption to the revalidation requirements by emailing CSCOneHealthOVTeam@apha.gov.uk, and providing them with details of the TB work that you undertake. They will then consider the information provided and notify you if your case is accepted. Further details on how APHA will manage exceptional/varied circumstances are available on APHA's Vet Gateway – to view these, please click here.
I have heard that instead of writing case logs for the OCQ(V) - TT revalidation, OVs are now asked to complete set scenario exercises. Is this true?
Yes. You will find a selection of scenarios and the guidance notes in the revalidation course.
Do I need to upload a certificate to confirm an APHA or VDP audit?
No, you are not required to upload a certificate. You will be asked for a declaration that is supported by your MRCVS number. However, you should retain any relevant information as it may be requested by APHA at any time.
Other OCQ(V)s
I hold the OCQ(V)s ES, EX and SX but I no longer do any commercial work. Can I revalidate CA instead?
Yes, please call the office on 0330 202 0380 or email enquiries@improve-ov.com to discuss. Please note that if you do revalidate CA and later return to doing commercial small animal export work, you would be required to complete the full ES, EX and SX courses to regain these qualifications.
Equine
I hold the OCQ(V) - UX but only do equine work. Can I revalidate the OCQ(V) - EQ instead of OCQ(V) - UX?
Yes. You can choose the EQ course instead of the UX course at revalidation. Please call the office on 0330 202 0380 or email enquiries@improve-ov.com with your request.
Which species are covered by the OCQ(V) - UX course?
The OCQ(V) - UX course covers all ungulate species (domesticated and non-domesticated ungulates and Equidae) and includes export under the Balai Directive.
Do I need to be working with all the species covered by the OCQ(V) - UX to be able to revalidate?
No, you can revalidate the OCQ(V) - UX even if you work with only one of the species covered by the qualification.
Counts of OVs Authorised by APHA in GB
START A NEW OCQ(V)
REVALIDATE
ONLINE LEARNING SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE
Registered users:
