Welcome to the Official Controls Qualification (Veterinary)

Thank you for visiting Improve International's Official Veterinarian (OV) training website provided on behalf of the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA). On this site, you will find all the information you need to become an OV and also train for the new Official Controls Qualification (Veterinarian) OCQ(V) .

Once you have registered, you will also be able to gain access to the training modules which will help you achieve the relevant OCQ(V) or the associated revalidation.

If you have any questions or require further information about OV training or registration, please read our FAQs or contact us.

Click here to learn more >

Quick start guide

1) Register online

2) Enrol on OCQ(V)s

3) Train at your own pace

4) Apply for OV status

Start here: Register online >
The online training and qualifications are open to all but only veterinarians practicing in the UK who are also members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) are eligible to apply for Official Veterinary (OV) status. Existing OV panel members click here for more information.

Training, assessment and accreditation

OCQ(V) training is provided by Improve International Ltd using a combination of our award-winning online training platform and face-to-face practical assessments. The courses are accredited and candidates are assessed both during and after training by the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ESVPS). The training is validated by Harper Adams University (HAU).

Registered users