Individuals authorised (not to be confused with registration) to practise in the veterinary field
According to the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act (Act 19 of 1982), unregistered persons are prohibited from practising in any of the veterinary or para-veterinary professions. However, as the South African Veterinary Council, we realise that there is a need for some services to be rendered or procedures to be performed by non-registered individuals under specific circumstances from time to time.
For this reason, the SAVC can give authorisation to non-registered individuals in writing to render, FOR GAIN, a service deemed to pertain specifically to the veterinary profession. Gain can be direct or indirect for own account or within the scope of employment with any employer, including the State, and includes professional experience gained as a result of such employment. The authority granted is subject to the conditions as Council may determine.
Authorisation is aimed at promoting good standards of practice and protecting the professions as well as members of the public through maintenance of the ethical code and disciplinary powers of the Council. Authorisation, in terms of section 23[1][c] of Act 19 of 1982, may be granted where a need for such authorisation is appropriately motivated. If granted, the authorisation wil be employer specific (it lapses immediately when you leave employment of the employer) and subject to the supervision of a veterinarian.
Read the full authorisation policy.
- Apply for authorisation as a veterinarian
- Guidelines for authorised personnel in research and animal welfare organisations
Apply for authorisation as a veterinarian
Application for authorisation cannot be considered unless submitted by the prospective employer or Academic institution. Only once authorisation is approved and implemented by Council will it enable the prospective employee, researcher or student to perform limited services pertaining to the profession of a veterinarian.
Authorisation is linked to the employer/institution and it lapses automatically if the employment relationship is terminated for any reason. No person may commence work (render services of a veterinarian) prior to the final receipt of the final conditions of authorisation.
Before applying for authorisation, complete the checklist to ensure that you have submitted all the necessary documentation for consideration of the application.
Guidelines for authorised personnel in research and animal welfare organisations
When a person authorised by the SAVC to perform veterinary procedures/functions/services at one institution or organisation (i.e. institution/organisation A), additionally wishes to perform veterinary procedures/functions/services at another institution(s) or organisation(s) (i.e. institution/organisation B, C, etc.), the following principles would apply:
- The Animal Welfare Organisation and/or Research Animal Facilities involved should be registered with the SAVC as veterinary facilities, where veterinary or para-veterinary procedures are performed, and in compliance with the Regulations made under the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act (Act 19 of 1982);
- Approval from the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is required from all institutions/organisations involved, as per the SANS 10386 and NHREC requirements [applicable to researchers].
- When performing veterinary or para-veterinary procedures at multiple institutions and/or multiple organisations, the SAVC-authorised persons must have a SAVC registered supervisor at each institution and/or organisation where those procedures are carried out, as the delegation of responsibility is not accommodated under the SAVC supervision agreement for authorised persons. A SAVC supervision agreement will be required, for each authorised person, at each institution and/or organisation.
- Where registered veterinary or para-veterinary professionals are requested to supervise an authorised person from another institution/organisation in procedures performed at their institution/organisation, the registered professionals may confirm competence or accept the confirmation of competence from the existing SAVC registered supervisor, at their professional discretion and they must sign a new supervision agreement for that institution/organisation. Should that SAVC registered professional not agree to accept supervisory responsibility, then the authorised person may not perform veterinary or para-veterinary procedures at that institution/organisation.
- The control of medicines and scheduled substances (medicines) is especially important for highly scheduled medicines (i.e. Schedules 5, 6 and above). The responsible veterinarian at each institution/organisation should take responsibility for scheduled medicines (including access, storage and scheduled substance registers) at their respective facility/premises where the authorised persons carry-out procedures. Access to medicines should be restricted to appropriate persons. Control of scheduled medicines would then be significantly simpler to manage, and it is encouraged that medicines are not transported between institutions/organisations; and
- The principal veterinarian in whose name the veterinary facility (i.e. Research Animal Facility/ Animal Welfare Organisation) is registered with the SAVC, remains responsible for the maintenance of minimum standards as per the Regulations.
Apply for authorisation as a veterinarian
Apply for authorisation as a veterinarian
Application for authorisation cannot be considered unless submitted by the prospective employer or Academic institution. Only once authorisation is approved and implemented by Council will it enable the prospective employee, researcher or student to perform limited services pertaining to the profession of a veterinarian.
Authorisation is linked to the employer/institution and it lapses automatically if the employment relationship is terminated for any reason. No person may commence work (render services of a veterinarian) prior to the final receipt of the final conditions of authorisation.
Before applying for authorisation, complete the checklist to ensure that you have submitted all the necessary documentation for consideration of the application.
Guidelines for authorised personnel in research and animal welfare organisations
Guidelines for authorised personnel in research and animal welfare organisations
When a person authorised by the SAVC to perform veterinary procedures/functions/services at one institution or organisation (i.e. institution/organisation A), additionally wishes to perform veterinary procedures/functions/services at another institution(s) or organisation(s) (i.e. institution/organisation B, C, etc.), the following principles would apply:
- The Animal Welfare Organisation and/or Research Animal Facilities involved should be registered with the SAVC as veterinary facilities, where veterinary or para-veterinary procedures are performed, and in compliance with the Regulations made under the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act (Act 19 of 1982);
- Approval from the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is required from all institutions/organisations involved, as per the SANS 10386 and NHREC requirements [applicable to researchers].
- When performing veterinary or para-veterinary procedures at multiple institutions and/or multiple organisations, the SAVC-authorised persons must have a SAVC registered supervisor at each institution and/or organisation where those procedures are carried out, as the delegation of responsibility is not accommodated under the SAVC supervision agreement for authorised persons. A SAVC supervision agreement will be required, for each authorised person, at each institution and/or organisation.
- Where registered veterinary or para-veterinary professionals are requested to supervise an authorised person from another institution/organisation in procedures performed at their institution/organisation, the registered professionals may confirm competence or accept the confirmation of competence from the existing SAVC registered supervisor, at their professional discretion and they must sign a new supervision agreement for that institution/organisation. Should that SAVC registered professional not agree to accept supervisory responsibility, then the authorised person may not perform veterinary or para-veterinary procedures at that institution/organisation.
- The control of medicines and scheduled substances (medicines) is especially important for highly scheduled medicines (i.e. Schedules 5, 6 and above). The responsible veterinarian at each institution/organisation should take responsibility for scheduled medicines (including access, storage and scheduled substance registers) at their respective facility/premises where the authorised persons carry-out procedures. Access to medicines should be restricted to appropriate persons. Control of scheduled medicines would then be significantly simpler to manage, and it is encouraged that medicines are not transported between institutions/organisations; and
- The principal veterinarian in whose name the veterinary facility (i.e. Research Animal Facility/ Animal Welfare Organisation) is registered with the SAVC, remains responsible for the maintenance of minimum standards as per the Regulations.
