Practitioners using their professional qualifications in their work need a current APC to maintain practising status with AVPRC.

Practice includes clinical care, education, regulation, consultancy and animal healthcare management. You do not need to be working directly with patients for your role to involve professional practice.

Ask yourself: Does my role draw on my knowledge, skills or standing as a veterinary nurse, technician, technologist or allied animal healthcare practitioner?

If you are unsure how this applies to your role, contact register@avprc.org.nz.

The APC year runs from 1 April to 31 March. The annual application period runs from 1 January to 31 March.

It is your responsibility to apply each year and keep your contact details up to date.

Please allow four to six weeks from receipt of your complete application and payment. If we need further information, processing may take longer. Your APC will be emailed to you once your application is approved.

View APC fees.

Your APC application asks you to make declarations about continuing professional development, competence, fitness to practise and professional conduct.

AVPRC’s published APC requirements include:

• Completing at least 40 hours of RCPD over the previous two consecutive calendar years, subject to applicable exemptions.

• Being competent in your chosen area of professional practice.

• Being physically and mentally able to practise safely, safeguarding animal welfare and public safety.

• Meeting the application’s requirements concerning investigations and criminal matters relevant to fitness to practise.

Read the declarations on the application form carefully and answer accurately. If you cannot make a declaration, or are unsure how it applies to your circumstances, contact register@avprc.org.nz before submitting your application.

Read the RCPD guidance.

If you have not registered with AVPRC before, your first registration application includes your first APC application.

If you are already on the student list and have completed your qualification, you can apply in the next application cycle. Include verification of your completed qualification.

Read the registration and student-list guidance.

Your APC expires on 31 March. If it is not renewed, your public register status will show as “expired”, and you must not describe yourself as holding a current APC.

An AVPRC APC is part of our voluntary regulatory framework. Expiry changes your AVPRC practising status; it does not itself determine whether a particular activity is lawful. Any legal requirements applying to your work, and any employer requirements for a current APC, continue to apply.

If you have missed the application period, email register@avprc.org.nz for advice.

If you are taking a career break, no longer using your professional qualification in your work, or leaving the profession, please contact us.

We can explain the available registration-status options and update your record. If you wish to be removed from the register, we can also explain that process.

Registration records your admission to the register. You apply once in your life.

Renewing your APC maintains your place on the register by ensuring your current practising status within AVPRC’s voluntary regulatory framework.