If you have any questions about our membership, a service or a product that BSAVA offer, please see our FAQ as a starting point.
The FAQ covers: Website and member-only content access, joining BSAVA and membership questions, BSAVA account queries, courses and CPD, invoices and payments, awards, congress, volunteering and our range of apps.
Q. I have forgotten my website login password – how do I reset this?
A. If you know your main email address you can retrieve your password by going to ‘Reset Password’. An email will be sent to the main email address specified on your account.Please note that we do not have access to your password. You will need to use the ‘Reset Password’ facility.
Q. I have tried to retrieve my password but still have not received an email – what do I do?
A. Please check your junk or spam mail folder to see if the email is in there. If the email has not arrived, please check any other mail box you may have (as the email may have been sent to another email address currently set as the primary email address for your account).
If you still do not have an email, please contact our Membership Services Team via administration@bsava.com or +44 (0)1452 726700. If you are a member, please supply your membership number or any other information to help us locate your record. We can then reset your password for you.
Q. How do I change my current password?
A. You can change your password online via Change my password.
Q. How do I access Member Only Content?
A. If you are logged into the website and are an active BSAVA member you can access member only content by visiting MyBSAVAÂ which has access to a range of resources.
Q. I have applied for BSAVA Membership online but have not received, or have access to, any member benefits?
A. If your membership requires payment along with your submitted application you can check payment has been made by going to myBSAVA > Orders. Any outstanding membership invoices will be listed here. If your membership has been paid, please contact our Membership Services Team via administration@bsava.com or +44 (0)1452 726700.
Q. I am a BSAVA Member but when I login I cannot access any Member Only Content
A. If you are not able to view member only content you can check your membership and its current status by going to MyBSAVA. If this shows that your membership is active and your membership has been paid then please contact our Membership Services team via administration@bsava.com or +44 (0)1452 726700 with your membership number. We can then check your account information on our system.
Q. How can I find my BSAVA Membership Number?
A. Your contact reference is available to view under your account information within MyBSAVA. If you are an active member of BSAVA this will also be your membership number and ideally should be provided when you contact us so we can easily find your details on our system.
Q. How can I check my current membership and its status?
A. You can check the current status of your membership via MyBSAVA.
Q. Where can I find the BSAVA Membership Terms & Conditions?
A. You can view the BSAVA Membership Terms & Conditions here.
Q. How do I know when it is time to renew my membership?
A. All members will be sent their renewal notices in the month prior to their membership expiry date. These renewal notices will invite membership renewal. Members are requested to submit their membership subscription by the due date. All membership subscriptions not renewed on time will become ‘lapsed’ and will therefore no longer be eligible to receive member benefits.
Q. How do I renew my BSAVA Membership online?
A. If you are an existing member of BSAVA you will be able to view your membership renewal online via MyBSAVA. If you pay by Direct Debit, payment will automatically be taken unless you instruct us otherwise .You do not need to do anything else. Members who do not pay by Direct Debit can pay their renewal online via MyBSAVA.
Q. How do I Join BSAVA?
A. We try to make the process of joining BSAVA as simple as possible. You can join in a number of ways:
To find out more, please choose your membership category
Q. How much is BSAVA Membership?
A. Your membership subscription depends on the membership category which you are applying for.
Q. How can I find out if I am eligible to join BSAVA?
A. Eligibility depends on the individual membership category. Please see the relevant membership category pages for more details.
To find out more, please choose your membership category
Q. I am a Veterinary or Veterinary Nurse Student, can I join BSAVA?
A. Yes we have three student membership categories; student vet, student nurse and overseas student.
If you are studying for a primary veterinary degree in veterinary science that entitles you to register with the RCVS you are eligible for FREE student membership. If you are studying for a veterinary degree at a university outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland, please apply for FREE overseas student membership.
Student membership runs continuously until 31st August of your final year of studies (graduation year), or 31st December if your cohort graduates later in the year. You do not need to renew annually during your time as a student as this membership continues for the duration of your studies. In the July or November of the year in which you graduate, you will be sent a renewal request for First Year Qualified or Nurse membership as appropriate. If you would like to upgrade earlier than this, please contact administration@bsava.com or call +44 (0)1452 726700.
So we don’t lose touch with you once you graduate, please ensure that you keep your contact details up-to-date.
Q. Are there any specific times of year that I can join BSAVA?
A. BSAVA is pleased to tell you that you can join at any point in the year.
Q. What are the benefits of Joining BSAVA?
A. The benefits of joining the BSAVA are many and varied, but essentially we are here to support you throughout your veterinary career with professional representation, advice, publications, CPD, PDP and a wide range of other online resources. We offer extra loyalty reward gifts to paying members who renew, without a break in their membership.
To find out more, please choose your membership category
Q. Do BSAVA courses and attendance at a regional courses count towards my CPD Hours?
A. Yes, all BSAVA CPD courses and events contribute towards your professional development and may be recorded in your CPD log.
Q. How do I access my CPD log?
A. You can access your CPD log online via MyBSAVA > My CPD.
Q. Which BSAVA region am I in?
A. You can find out which region you live/practice in by referring to the BSAVA regional map.
Q. Can I only go to courses in my region?
A. You are welcome to attend courses in any of the BSAVA regions.
Q. Why do the prices vary depending on the region?
A. Prices for the BSAVA regions are set by the regional volunteers; this means that they are able to offer the best possible value, whilst taking into account venue, food and note costs where appropriate.
Q. How do I suggest a topic for a regional course?
A. Our regional volunteers are always interested in finding out what courses you’d like to see. You can put forward your suggestions by emailing them using the contact details on your regional CPD page.
Q. How do I book a place on a course?
A. You can book a place on your course of choice via the BSAVA CPD booking page.
Q. Who can take part in Professional Key Skills CPD?
A. Any paying BSAVA member can take part in the Professional Key Skills CPD. It is open to both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, and is free of charge.
Q. How do I gain access to Professional Key Skills CPD?
A. All you need to do is email courses@bsava.com and ask to be enrolled. We will set up an individual user profile for you and send you your personal login details by email, along with details of how to access the CPD.
Q. How many CPD hours can I claim for the Professional Key Skills CPD?
A. There are 6 sections, each set at 20 CPD hours. You can complete one, all or any combination of sections and claim the corresponding number of CPD hours.
Q. Is a CPD certificate available?
A. Yes. Once you have completed the section(s) you would like to study, you simply need to email courses@bsava.com to claim your electronic CPD certificate. You can claim a certificate for each individual section, or claim one certificate for several completed sections.
Q. Is there a time limit for completion of the CPD?
A. There is no time limit, provided you remain a BSAVA member throughout the course of your studies.
Q. Do I need special equipment to view and listen to a webinar?
A. All you need is a computer with broadband internet access. Provided your computer has speakers, you will be able to view and listen to the webinar. You don’t need to purchase any specialist software; the first time you attend a webinar, you will be prompted to download the free webinar software, which will take a few minutes.
Q. Do I need to be a computer expert?
A. No. Once you have booked, you will receive an email containing a link, and explaining how to join the webinar. Joining is very simple and requires no specialist knowledge or expertise.
Q. Will I be able to ask questions?
A. If you attend the live webinar, you will be able to ask questions by typing these into a chat box on the webinar screen. The speaker will read out and answer as many of the questions as possible. This won’t be possible, of course, if you are watching the recorded version.
Q. What happens if I miss the live webinar?
A. All the webinars will be recorded, and the recorded version will be available for viewing within 24 hours of the live presentation. You will be able to watch the recorded webinar at a time convenient to you.
Q. Can I get a certificate of attendance?
A. A certificate is available within our Webinars section, providing an attendance certificate. If you only view the recorded event, you can enter this yourself onto your CPD record card.
Q. What is the criteria for enrolment?
A. You must be a veterinary nurse registered in the UK. Due to the nature of the final case study, it is preferable for you to be working in practice. However, if you are not in practice but still wish to enrol, please contact us.
Q. Are the VN Merit Awards accredited by a professional examining body?
A. This course is not accredited; rather it provides high-quality CPD that will enhance your theoretical and practical understanding of a subject area. If you complete the course successfully, you will receive a certificate and a badge.
Q. How many hours of CPD does the VN Merit Award count towards?
A. On completion of the VN Merit Award, you will have gained 30 hours of professional CPD.
Q. When can I book onto a course?
A. Our courses become available online approximately 6 months prior to the start date
Q. When does the certificate start?
A. The medicine, surgery and diagnostic imaging certificates start in January each year. The ophthalmology and the emergency and critical care certificates start in May each year and there is only one intake a year for each certificate.You can enrol at any point online using the application form.
Q. What is the criteria for enrolment?
A. All applicants must:
Additionally, veterinary surgeons who qualified pre-2021 and who are based in the UK must have completed the RCVS Professional Development Phase (PDP). Veterinary surgeons who qualify from July 2021 onwards and who are based in the UK must have completed the RCVS Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP), and have received confirmation of completion from the RCVS
Q. Are the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) and the BSAVA Postgraduate Certificates academically equivalent?
A. Each qualification is positioned at Level 7 (Masters) within the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and carries 60 academic credits at this level. The qualifications are therefore, by definition, academically equivalent.
Q. Is flexible study an option?
A. Yes, you can complete your studies within 3-5 years.
Q. What support will I get?
A. When you enrol on the BSAVA PgCert programme you will be allocated a mentor whose role is to provide you with general advice and encouragement should you need it. There is also a designated case book co-ordinator to provide you with advice about the preparation of your casebook. There will also be frequent opportunities for you to ask questions, either through taught courses, online discussion boards or the central academic enquiry point at certificate@bsava.com.
Q. Is my practice suitable for studying towards a BSAVA PgCert?
A. As a guide we suggest that you consider the following when deciding if you think the facilities, equipment and procedures and their role in the practice will support their studies.
For students enrolled on the Diagnostic Imaging certificate, facilities to conduct radiographic examinations and ultrasound must be available within the practice. Access to CT/MRI equipment is not a requirement.
Q. Where are the taught courses held?
A. The medicine and surgery courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester as well as the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport. The emergency and critical care courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester and Vets Now HQ in Dunfermline. The ophthalmology courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester and The Cambridge Belfry Hotel. The surgery practical courses for ECC, Ophthalmology and Surgery are held at University of Bristol. The diagnostic imaging courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester, and the practical’s at MIUS Medical in Gloucester.
Q. Are the BSAVA PG certificates approved for Advanced Practitioner status?
A. Yes, the BSAVA PGCerts are approved as appropriate postgraduate qualifications for the purpose of the RCVS Advanced Practitioner List. There is no requirement to undertake additional accredited training in Professional Key Skills for holders of BSAVA PGCerts gained in 2017 or later.
Q. I am already a BSAVA PgCert member – how do I access the online learning resources?
A. PG Certificate specific content is available via www.bsavaeducation.co.uk. If you have forgotten your login details for this website please contact certificate@bsava.com.
Q. Can the BSAVA Postgraduate Certificates be studied remotely?
A. We don’t currently offer remote learning, so you would have to attend all the taught courses and examinations in the UK.
Q. How do I register for congress?
A. You can register online, please visit www.bsava.com/events/congress/ for more information
Q. How do I access my Congress CPD log?
A. You can access your CPD log via MyBSAVA > My CPD.
Q. I am a BSAVA Volunteer – how do I access the Volunteer Area of the website?
A. All volunteer resources and content are available via MyBSAVA > Volunteer area – this includes the Staff and Volunteer Directory and specific Committee Information.
Q. How do I view and print off my invoices online?
A. You can view your invoices via here. An invoice can be printed by clicking on ‘Print Invoice/RFP’. Any outstanding invoices can also be paid online by clicking ‘Pay Now’ against the selected invoice on this page.
Q. Can I pay my membership fees by instalment?
A. Yes of course. Direct Debit is available: you can either pay by annual Direct Debit where you will benefit from a discount of up to £15 on your membership subscription, or, you can pay by monthly Direct Debit and spread the cost throughout the year. Please note that Direct Debit is only available to people with a UK bank account.
Q. I pay my membership by Direct Debit – do I need to do anything?
A. No – if you have paid and continue to pay your membership by Direct Debit then payment will automatically be taken. This will either be in one payment or via instalment (dependent on the membership selected). You can view and print your invoice by going to your invoices in your account. If you need to update your Direct Debit details please contact our Membership Services Team. Please provide your membership number if possible to help us to locate your record on our system.
Q. Can I claim tax relief on my BSAVA membership subscription?
A. The BSAVA is a recognised ‘approved body’ by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – so this means that your annual membership subscription can be offset as an allowable taxable expense against income earned from your veterinary work. So a higher rate tax payer can save 40% on their BSAVA membership subscription or 20% for a basic rate tax payer. Any claims would need to be completed via your own tax returns
Q. I have moved house or practice – how do I update my contact information online?
A. You can update your contact information online by going to MyBSAVA > My personal information.
Q. I have changed my phone number or other information – how do I update this online?
A. You can update your contact information online by going to MyBSAVA > My personal information.
Q. I want to change the address that Journals and other information is sent to – how do I do this?
A. You can update your communication preferences by going to MyBSAVA > My contact preferences. You can update your contact information by going to myBSAVA > my personal information.
Q. How do I opt in or out of receiving JSAP and/or Companion?
A: Opt out of receiving a printed copy of Companion magazine – If you do not wish to receive paper copies of Companion, you need to opt out by going to MyBSAVA > My mailing and contact preferences. You can opt back in at any time. Don’t forget all members have access to Companion online via the BSAVA Library (please note that veterinary nurse student members receive only online access to Companion).Opt in to receive a paper copy of JSAP – If you are eligible to receive printed copies of JSAP and wish to continue to do so, you need to opt in by going to MyBSAVA > My mailing and contact preferences. You can opt out again at any time. Please note that overseas members, student and overseas veterinary student members and veterinary nurse members receive only online access to JSAP. All members except veterinary nurse student members have access to JSAP online, including the full archive.
Q. How do I change my regional preferences?
Your primary region is automatically selected dependent on your mailing address preference under MyBSAVA > My personal information. You can select secondary regions of interest by going to MyBSAVA > My regions.
Q. How do I update my species and disciplines?
A. You can update your species and disciplines online by going to MyBSAVA > My species and disciplines.
Q. I am a member of BSAVA and want to activate my App(s) – how do I do this?
A. For the companion App:If you visit MyBSAVA > My apps you can download and activate the companion app using your email address (this can be checked under MyBSAVA > My personal information) and the activation code generated when you click on ‘Activate App’.For the JSAP App:If you visit MyBSAVA > My apps you can download the JSAP app. Once downloaded and installed:
1. Launch the app from the ‘Newsstand’ on your device.
2. When the app opens, Click ‘I already have access’
3. Select ‘Through my society affiliation’
4. You will be prompted for your BSAVA website log-in credentials. Enter them, and click ‘Log in’.For the BSAVA App Suite:Once the app has downloaded you will need to login using your BSAVA website username and password. Access to each app within the app suite is determined by your current membership and its status.
Q. I have already activated my App on one device, can I install and use it on another?
A. Yes – The BSAVA App Suite can be activated on up to two devices.
Q. Are the Apps available for Windows or Blackberry phones?
A. Currently the majority of our apps are available for both Apple and Android devices. We do not have any apps available for Windows or Blackberry phones.
If you still require assistance, please contact administration@bsava.com or call +44 (0)1452 726700 and provide as much information as possible. If your question is of a technical nature please contact ITSupport@bsava.com to raise a support ticket. If possible, please include your membership or account number if known.
Contact information can be found here. Please note: the BSAVA cannot answer veterinary enquiries from the general public. Please contact your local veterinary surgery or veterinary hospital.
