Is continuing education mandatory to maintain a veterinary license? Do veterinary nurses need to be registered? What documents do vets from other countries need if they want to register? The answers to these and other questions were collected by the FVE for 29 European countries, providing a wealth of information, now published in its updated Veterinary Regulators Report.
The central role of veterinary statutory bodies
At the heart of veterinary regulation are Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs), independent organisations responsible for licensing, registration and oversight of professional conduct. The report highlights that, while models vary, the core functions remain similar: safeguarding quality of care and maintaining public confidence. Many VSBs also play a key role in continuing professional development, with mandatory systems in place in several countries.
Why this matters for veterinarians
Understanding how VSBs operate is essential for veterinarians navigating legal obligations, professional standards and mobility within Europe. Effective regulation supports not only individual accountability but also the delivery of high-quality veterinary services. The report, which offers a comprehensive overview of how the profession is structured and regulated across Europe, also contains a number of recommendations on how to set up a VSB.
The full report is available from the FVE website.
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