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CQ awarded accreditation for Level 3 Vet Nurse qualifications
RCVS praised CQ's innovative approaches to SVN education.
The awarding organisation will support centres delivering the new qualifications.

Central Qualifications (CQ) has received full accreditation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for two Level 3 Veterinary Nursing qualifications.

It can now support learning centres providing the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and the Level 3 Diploma in Equine Nursing for the next five years.

Through its new qualifications, CQ says its learning centres can take a more integrated approach to delivering and assessing veterinary nursing knowledge. However, it says centres will still have the flexibility to deliver content in a bespoke way.

CQ adds that its rationalised assessment strategy will reduce the burden on learners, while still encouraging them to meet qualification outcomes. Its unique OSCE protocol is expected to make assessments less stressful for students.

The achievement follows its recent RCVS accreditation event, which saw CQ commended for the development of its Level 3 qualifications.

RCVS recognised CQ’s External Quality Assurance processes, particularly highlighting the development of its Vantage Quality Assurance system. The report said these processes showed a commitment to protecting people and animals across learning environments. It noted CQ’s analysis of the OSCE assessment, which it said demonstrated strong assessment practices and continuous improvement to its processes.

CQ was also praised for engaging multiple clinical supervisors simultaneously. RCVS said that this innovative approach was ensuring students were supervised in a comprehensive and effective way.

Central Qualifications is an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation, providing qualifications for the veterinary and animal-related industries. Alongside its Level 3 Veterinary Nursing courses, CQ also provides qualifications for veterinary nursing assistants and companion animal training.

Denise Burke, quality assurance manager for CQ, said: “The CQ team have worked really hard to achieve this goal.

“This achievement is testament to teamwork, commitment, enthusiasm and pride in what we do, leading to robust qualifications that give clear direction to both learners and educators.”

Learning centres can find out more about CQ’s new Level 3 Licence to Practice Veterinary Nurse qualifications by contacting Ms Burke at denise.burke@cqual.org.uk .

Image © Central Qualifications

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.