Maintenance of Credentials
The objectives of Maintenance of Credentials (MOC) requirements are to allow the individual to reflect on their personal knowledge and performance, commit to a process of improvement and re-evaluation, and promote engagement within their professional organisation. The overall result is to improve quality of the profession, which can be externally promoted and align with accrediting body requirements.
The introduction of a MOC program is required for the College to align itself with the standards set by international veterinary organisations. In addition, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) has strongly suggested that MOC should be a requirement to ensure the ongoing quality of qualifications. This move will protect the ANZCVS qualifications from any allegations (real or perceived) of degeneration or reduction of quality, and is line with New Zealand and other foreign jurisdictions.
At this time, no “Advanced Practitioner” status exists in Australia and New Zealand and participation in the ANZCVS MOC program will be applied prospectively to new Members from 2021. However, it is possible that if a middle status of veterinary professional is introduced, that Members may be required to meet MOC requirements if they wish to participate.
The MOC requirements will apply to all Members and Fellows who are awarded their qualifications from 2021 onwards. Existing Members may choose to participate in MOC on a voluntary basis. Compulsory MOC will be introduced for all Fellows from 2023, including retrospective inclusion. It should be noted that all members retain their post-nominals regardless of MOC status as long as they remain financial members.
MOC requirements consist of a designated number of hours per 5-year period which can be achieved through relevant practice in the discipline, ongoing learning and active involvement in the College.
At the end of each 5-year period, each Member and Fellow must have met the MOC criteria to demonstrate that they have maintained their credentials or their Membership/Fellowship will be categorised as having an inactive MOC status. It is important to note that active/inactive status is not currently linked to general or specialist registration in Australia or New Zealand, however the AVBC will be notified if Fellows lapse in their active status.
The College would highlight to Members and Fellows that under no circumstance will you lose your post nominals as long as you remain a financial member of the College. This is independent of each individual’s MOC status.
The College is currently finalising development of a web-based portal to record MOC requirements and will keep members updated when it is available for use. In the interim, an excel spreadsheet has been designed for recording. Please use the links below to download the excel template.
For further information regarding the Maintenance of Credentials, please contact the College office on +61 3423 2016 or email po@anzcvs.org.au