Official Controls Qualification
(Veterinary) OCQ(V)


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OCQ(V) - ES (Essential Skills)

The OCQ(V) - ES (Essential Skills) is the foundation for APHA OV training, providing essential background information for authorisation as an OV. It covers the basics of state veterinary medicine, working with APHA, the regulation and statutory control of animal diseases and animal welfare, The 10 Principles of Certification, avoidance of conflicts of interest, communication, and health and safety.

Looking for the OCQ(V) - ESr (Essential Skills revalidation) course? Click here


Useful facts for OCQ(V) - ES

Prerequisite OCQ(V)s for ES

None

OCQ(V)s that ES is a prerequisite for
 

EX, TT, SS, AX, EQ, FA, GX, PX, SX, UX, Cymorth TB

CPD hours awarded on completion of the course

Eight hours
 

Revalidation frequency
 

Every four years, although see below for further details

Fee

£199 plus VAT

Course presentation

Online


Overview of training for OCQ(V) - ES

The training for OCQ(V) - ES is all provided online. Topics covered include:

  • An overview of the roles of APHA and the Official Veterinarian (OV)
  • An introduction to certification, in particular the RCVS 10 Principles of Certification
  • Detailed information on animal welfare legislation and the responsibilities of the OV
  • An overview of notifiable diseases, including notifiable diseases in the news
  • A module focusing on biosecurity and outlining good practice for personal biosecurity

Please note: the OCQ(V) - ES is a prerequisite qualification to all of the other OCQ(V)s, with the exception of OCQ(V) - CA (Companion Animals). Therefore, if you do not hold the OCQ(V) - ES qualification, you must not carry out work related to any other OCQ(V) for which it is a prerequisite, even if the other OCQ(V) is current.

The courses for which the OCQ(V) - ES is a prerequisite are as follows:

* The OCQ(V) - EX (Exports General) is also a prerequisite course for the exports courses.


Revalidation of OCQ(V) - ES

You are required to undergo revalidation for OCQ(V) - ES every four years. Unless ES is the only qualification held, revalidation for ES is now included in each of the revalidation courses for which it is a prerequisite.

To view the requirements for the OCQ(V) - ESr (Essential Skills revalidation) course, click here.

For Animal Health Paraprofessional training, please visit:

Counts of OVs Authorised by APHA in GB

APHA's OV Instructions have moved and are now hosted by Improve International. They can be accessed using the links below:

START A NEW OCQ(V)

REVALIDATE

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