General Practitioner Certificate (APR)
Demonstrate advanced clinical expertise with the General Practitioner Certificate (APR)
The ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (Advanced Practitioner Route) is a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). It provides an approved route for application to RCVS Advanced Practitioner status.
This status formally recognises a veterinary surgeon’s enhanced knowledge, clinical expertise, and commitment to high standards in practice.
For further information on RCVS Advanced Practitioner status, please visit:
How to achieve this qualification
To be awarded the GPCert (APR) in a chosen discipline, candidates must successfully complete and pass the following components:
- Pre- and post-module multiple-choice questions (MCQs), completed throughout the programme
- PICO (Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) Written Assessment, completed halfway through the programme: a clinically relevant question requiring a structured literature search, critical appraisal of evidence, synthesis of findings, and an evidence-based response.
- Case Log and Reflective Portfolio written assessments, submitted at the end of the programme
- 25 case reports
- 8 reflective accounts
- APR Online Applied Knowledge Examination (OAKE), taken at end of programme: a 90-minute online computer-marked assessment
Note: there may also be additional formative practical assessments to be completed dependent on the discipline.
Final Assessment
Upon successful completion of the above components, candidates progress to the Synoptic APR Case-Based Scenario Examination
- Delivered online
- Examiner-marked
- 3 hours
Outcome and Recognition
Following successful completion, candidates are awarded the RCVS-recognised postnominals:
GPCert (APR) in the relevant discipline
e.g. for GPCert Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery: GPCert (APR SASTS)
Once further RCVS requirements are met, the GPCert (APR) can be used to apply directly for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status in the relevant designation.
Disciplines available
The ISVPS GPCert (APR) is currently available in the following disciplines:
Eligibility
To enrol on the GPCert (APR), and achieve the qualification candidates must:
- Be an RCVS-registered veterinary surgeon with an RCVS-recognised veterinary degree, at least one year’s post-qualification experience at the course start date, and current employment in general practice.
- Graduates from 2007 onwards must have completed the Professional Development Phase (PDP) or VetGDP.
- Complete all programme assessments and examinations in English.
- Successfully complete all required components of :
- An RCVS‑approved clinical General Practitioner Programme delivered by Improve Veterinary Education (IVE).
- The Veterinary Professional Skills Module also delivered online by IVE
- The qualification must be achieved within four years of the end of the programme.
Progression
Completion of this route also offers further academic and professional progression:
- A pathway towards a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) (with no further ISVPS assessments required prior to university enrolment)
- Alternatively, candidates may choose to progress to the ISVPS General Practitioner Advanced Certificate (GPAdvCert)
FAQs
What is the difference between the GPCert and the GPCert (APR)?
The ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (Advanced Practitioner Route) is a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Itprovides an approved route for application to RCVS Advanced Practitioner status. The clinical training programme is the same for the GPCert or GPCert (APR) pathway. Veterinary surgeons on the APR pathway complete an additional module (Veterinary Professional Skills) with the training provider and follow a different assessment diet from those taking the GPCert.
For further information, see ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate
How long do I have to achieve my GPCert (APR) qualification?
The award must be achieved within four years of the end of the programme.