Principles of certification

What can get you struck off?

1. Serious departure from professional standards as set out in the RCVS guide to professional conduct

2. Causing serious harm to animals or the public, particularly where there is a breach of trust

3. Offences involving violence and/or loss of human life

4. Offences of a sexual nature

5. Evidence of a harmful deep-seated personality or attitude problem

6. Dishonesty, particularly where persistent or concealed

What are the four main hazards for veterinary surgeons when 'certifying' in the wider sense?

1. Negligence

2. Criminal offences

3. Professional misconduct

4. Loss of OV status

List the 10 RCVS principles of certification

Certifying vet must:

1. Only certify matters within own knowledge or ability to ascertain

2. Not certificate on potential conflicts of interest

3. Only sign certificates in language they understand

4. Not certify compliance with another country's law, unless that law is set out on certificate or otherwise provided to them

5. Only sign original certificates, with any copies or duplicates marked as such

6. Not delete, alter or leave parts of certificate blank unless indicated

7. Write in simple terms which are easy to understand

8. Copy and retain certificates

9. Not use ambiguous words

10. Clearly indicate subject being certified

Principle 1 of certification

A veterinary should certify only those matters which:

1. are within his or her own knowledge

2. can be ascertained by him or her personally

3. are the subject of supporting evidence from an authorised veterinarian who has personal knowledge of the matters in question

4. are the subject of checks carried out by a registered, trained and competent certification support officer

Principle 2 of certification

Veterinarians should not issue a certificate that might raise questions of a possible conflict of interest.

Principle 3 of certification

A veterinarian should only sign certificates that are written in a language they understand

Principle 4 of certification

A veterinarian should not certify that there has been compliance with the law of another country or jurisdiction unless the provisions of that law are set out clearly on the certificate or have been provided to them by the Competent Authority in writing.

Principle 5 of certification

A veterinarian should only sign original certificates. Where there is a legal or official requirement for a certified copy or duplicate these can be provided.

Principle 6 of certification

When signing a certificate, a veterinarian should ensure that:
a) the certificate contains no deletions or alterations, other than those which are indicated on the certificate to be permissible, and subject to such changes being initialled and stamped by the certifying veterinarian;
b) no section of the certificate is left incomplete;
c) the certificate includes not only their signature but also, in clear
lettering, their name, qualifications and address and (where appropriate) their official or practice stamps;
d) the certificate includes the date on which the certificate was signed
and issued and (where appropriate) the time for which the certificate
will remain valid.

Principle 7 of certification

Certificates should be written in simple terms which are easy to understand

Principle 8 of certification

Certificates should be:
• a) clear and concise;
• b) integrated, whole and indivisible;
• c) given a unique identifier; and
• d) copied and retained with all relevant records.

Principle 9 of certification

Certificates should not use words or phrases which are capable of more than one interpretation

Principle 10 of certification

Certificates should clearly identify the subject being certified