Update on Veterinary Practice Act, level 2 Tiered Membership of CPAPNG

Information on the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (Treatment by Non-Registered Persons) Regulations 2025 and Level 2 tiered membership of CPAPNG.

Information 

The Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (Treatment by Non-Registered Persons) Regulations 2025 has been drafted by the Veterinary Council Ireland in consultation with various stakeholders, which included the Society. The draft regulations have been submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the Society is waiting for the legislation to be introduced through a Statutory Instrument. The Society has been advocating for this since 2012. 

In accordance with the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (Treatment by Non-Registered Person) Regulations 2025, the chartered physiotherapists in animal practice will be a member of the Society and comply with its conditions of membership and code of practice.  The Society shall maintain a register of chartered physiotherapists in animal practice.

Tiered membership 

In February 2023 the Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Practice Niche Group (CPAPNG) approved a revised level 2-tiered membership application process which supersedes the previous level 2 membership of CPVP application process. 

All members with level two Chartered physiotherapists in Veterinary Practice (CPVP) membership in accordance with the 2013 CPVP membership handbook are exempt from having to apply for the second level membership under the new system as the revised level 2-tiered membership application process only applies to new applicants. You will be required to submit evidence of level 2 membership of CPVP when applying to the register of chartered physiotherapists in animal practice. 

Applications for level 2-tiered membership of CPAPNG will open shortly. In the interim you are requested to get the relevant documents together: Degree certificates, official transcripts, certificates of completion, CV, supporting references etc. 

There are 2 routes for level 2-tiered membership:

Academic Pathway: post-graduate courses recognised for eligibility for level 2-tiered membership. 
Portfolio Pathway: work and education outlines eligibility for level 2-tiered membership. 
- Courses
- Supporting evidence

For more information on tiered membership please email pmurphy@iscp.ie

Policy and eligibility 

The Society is developing the policy and procedure for applications to the Register and will keep you informed as soon as the policy and associated documents have been approved and applications are open. 

Applications will be open to members who have level 2 membership of CPVP or level-2 tiered membership of CPAPNG.