Frequently asked questions
Find answers about joining the AVPRC register, maintaining your practising status and keeping your professional learning relevant to your work.
Joining the register
How do I join the AVPRC register?
You will need an approved qualification and the supporting documents required for your registration pathway. Your first application includes registration and your first Annual Practising Certificate (APC).
Visit our Join the Register page for eligibility, application dates, approved qualifications and supporting documents.
If you are unsure whether you have registered before, search the public register or contact register@avprc.org.nz before submitting a new application.
I am an overseas trained veterinarian. Can I register as a veterinary nurse or technician?
A veterinary medicine qualification alone does not make you eligible for AVPRC registration as a veterinary nurse or veterinary technician. This applies whether you qualified in New Zealand or overseas.
Veterinary nursing, veterinary technology and veterinary medicine are distinct professions with different educational and competency requirements. Registration in one profession does not automatically qualify you for registration in another.
If you also hold an approved veterinary nursing or veterinary technology qualification, you may apply through the usual registration process.
A New Zealand education provider may be able to assess your veterinary education and clinical experience towards an approved qualification through Assessment of Prior Learning (APL). The provider determines what credit can be awarded and what further study or assessment you need to complete. Not all providers offer APL.
Contact a New Zealand education provider to discuss this pathway.
APCs and registration status
What is the difference between registration and an APC?
Registration records your admission to the AVPRC register after you have met the applicable entry requirements.
An Annual Practising Certificate (APC) confirms that you have met AVPRC’s requirements for maintaining current practising status for the relevant year. These include declarations about competence, fitness to practise and continuing professional development.
You need to renew your APC each year to remain current on the register. If you do not renew and have not arranged another status with us, your public register entry will show Expired.
Read more about APC requirements.
When do I apply for my APC?
The APC year runs from 1 April to 31 March of the following year. Applications open annually from 1 January to 31 March.
Renewing your APC is your responsibility. Check the APC page for current application information and the Fees page for charges.
Do I need to provide evidence of clinical hours?
No. AVPRC does not require you to submit evidence of a minimum number of clinical hours when applying for an APC.
You do need to make an accurate declaration about your competence and fitness to practise in your area of work. Consider your current knowledge and skills, the requirements of your role and any support or further learning you need.
Do I need an APC if I work outside clinical practice?
If you use your veterinary nursing, technology or animal healthcare qualification in your work and want to maintain current AVPRC practising status, you need an APC.
Practice includes roles in education, research, industry, consultancy, regulation and management, as well as clinical care. Your professional development should be relevant to the work you undertake.
What does fitness to practise mean?
Fitness to practise concerns your ability to carry out your professional role safely and responsibly. It includes competence, professional conduct and any circumstances that may affect your ability to safeguard animal welfare and public safety.
Having a health condition or disability does not, by itself, mean you are unfit to practise. What matters is how it affects your work and whether appropriate support or adjustments enable you to practise safely.
If you are unsure how to answer an APC declaration, contact register@avprc.org.nz.
I am taking a career break or leaving animal healthcare. What should I do?
Contact register@avprc.org.nz so we can update your registration status.
If you are taking a break or are unsure whether you will return, we can record your status as Inactive. If you do not contact us and do not renew your APC, your status will become Expired.
An inactive or expired entry does not represent current practising status. Contact us when you are considering returning so we can explain the applicable requirements.
I am retiring. Do I need to tell AVPRC?
Yes. Email register@avprc.org.nz so we can record your status as Retired and stop APC renewal reminders.
Let us know whether you would still like to receive general AVPRC communications.
Continuing professional development
What is reflective continuing professional development?
Reflective continuing professional development (RCPD) is learning that helps you maintain and develop the knowledge, skills and judgement needed for your work.
The process is straightforward: identify what you need to learn, undertake relevant activities, reflect on what you learned and keep a record.
Visit our RCPD page for guidance, examples and templates.
How much CPD should I complete?
AVPRC’s guide is 40 hours over two consecutive calendar years.
Your APC declaration concerns your ongoing effort to engage in relevant professional development. It is not simply a pass-or-fail check of whether you have reached exactly 40 hours.
Keep records showing what you learned, why it was relevant and how it informs your practice. If your learning has fallen behind, identify the gaps and make a realistic plan to address them.
Do I need to submit my CPD records every year?
You make a CPD declaration when applying for your APC. You do not routinely submit your full portfolio with each application, but you must keep your records up to date.
AVPRC will audit 10% of registrants each year. If selected, you will be asked to provide records of your learning and reflection.
Do I have to attend conferences or formal courses?
No. Relevant learning can take many forms, including webinars, reading, mentoring, case discussions, clinical rounds, preparing teaching materials and writing professional articles.
Routine work or attendance at a meeting does not automatically count as CPD. Record the learning involved, the time spent actively learning and a brief reflection on its relevance to your practice.
I am studying towards a further qualification. Do I need additional CPD?
Registrants studying at least part-time towards an AVPRC-approved veterinary nursing or veterinary technology qualification are exempt from additional CPD requirements during their study. Keep evidence of enrolment and provide it as required. Once you complete the qualification, provide verification so we can update your registration information.
Other relevant study, including postgraduate study, can count towards your CPD. It does not automatically qualify for the study exemption. Consider whether your study addresses the learning needs of your current role and whether additional learning is needed.
Contact us if you are unsure whether your programme qualifies. You still need to maintain competence and renew your APC to retain current practising status.
I work in industry. What CPD is relevant to me?
Choose learning that supports the work you actually do.
For example, someone working for a pet food company might undertake learning in nutrition, evaluating research, communicating evidence, ethical marketing, leadership or client education.
Your CPD does not need to mirror that of someone working in a clinic. It should help you maintain and develop competence in your own professional role.
Can presenting at a conference count as CPD?
Yes. Preparing and delivering a presentation can count where it involves relevant professional learning.
Keep evidence, such as the programme or presentation, and a brief reflection on what you learned and how it applies to your work. Record the time spent actively learning rather than automatically counting every hour spent preparing or attending.
What if workload or personal circumstances have affected my CPD?
Record what you have completed honestly, even if the total is low or zero. Consider whether you have undertaken relevant learning through case discussions, reading, mentoring or other workplace activities that you have not yet recorded.
If a career break, family commitments, workload or other circumstances have affected your learning, contact us to discuss your circumstances and the requirements that apply. Do not assume that an exemption applies. We can also help you clarify whether your registration status should change during a break from practice.
A CPD reduction or exemption does not remove your responsibility to maintain competence. If you wish to retain current practising status, you must also renew your APC.
How do I know whether my CPD is meaningful?
Ask yourself:
What did I need to learn?
What new knowledge, skills or understanding did I gain?
How does this support or improve my work?
What do I need to learn next?
A useful record shows both participation and reflection. The aim is to support competent, thoughtful practice throughout your career.
Still have a question?
Contact register@avprc.org.nz for help with registration, APCs, registration status or CPD requirements.