Becoming an SQP

VetSkill is authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as a regulatory body to maintain a register for SQPs to prescribe and supply veterinary medicines classified as POM-VPS and NFA-VPS. 

VetSkill aims to ensure that those prescribing and supplying VPS animal medicines in the UK do so professionally, responsibly, and safely.

To act as an SQP, the following conditions must be met:

  • Successful registration onto one of the SQP registers maintained by a VMD-authorised regulatory body

  • Successful completion of relevant training, demonstrating animal health knowledge and an understanding of the legal system for the dispensing of animal medicines

  • Working within a VMD Registered Premises

As an SQP, you are responsible for ensuring competence in your role. Continued Professional Development (CPD) is a mandatory process for VetSkill SQPs, find out more about CPD here.

SQP Qualifications

To become a VetSkill SQP, you will need to have achieved a recognised qualification, which includes:

In addition, other qualifications are accredited by VetSkill as leading to Direct Entry onto the VetSkill SQP Register.

Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) wishing to undertake the VetSkill Level 4 Certificate for Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP), will be eligible for exemptions from relevant parts of the qualification due to the completion of their veterinary nursing qualification.

VMD Registered Premises

SQPs may only prescribe and/or supply the veterinary medicines that they are qualified for, from registered premises. These include:

• A Veterinary Practice Premises (VPP) registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

• A pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

• An SQP retailer premises – premises approved by the VMD as suitable for the storage and supply by an SQP

Please contact the VMD to register a new SQP retailer premise.

Joining or Transferring to the VetSkill SQP Register

VetSkill’s mission is to make the VetSkill SQP registration process effective, simple and affordable, whether you have just achieved an SQP qualification or have chosen to transfer to the VetSkill SQP Register. Once accepted onto the VetSkill SQP Register, you can access the VetSkill SQP Hub.

  • If you have just completed a VetSkill qualification or a VetSkill Accredited programme leading to Direct Entry onto the VetSkill SQP Register, there is no registration fee. The registration process can be completed here.

  • If you already hold a recognised qualification and would like to transfer to the VetSkill SQP Register, the registration process can be completed on online here, and you will then be asked to submit your Continued Professional Development (CPD) record and make payment of the registration fee.