Becoming a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP)
A Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) is a legal category of professionally qualified persons who, under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, are entitled to prescribe and/or supply certain veterinary medicines (POM-VPS and NFA-VPS) for companion animals, equines, farm animals and birds (depending on the scope of the registration held).
SQP Categories
The category of SQP you become will depend on which species of animals you would like to prescribe and/or supply medicines to; these categories can be found below:
| SQP Category | Unit (s) passed | Permissible Medicines |
|---|---|---|
| R-SQP | All (Companion, Equine & Farm) | All VPS Medicines |
| C-SQP | Companion | VPS – Companion animals only |
| J-SQP | Equines | VPS – Equines only |
| L-SQP | Farm | VPS – Farm animals only |
| A-SQP | Avians | VPS – Avian only |
| E-SQP | Companion & Equines | VPS – Companion & Equines only |
| K-SQP | Companion & Farm | VPS – Companion & Farm only |
| CA-SQP | Companion & Avians | VPS – Companion & Avians only |
| G-SQP | Equines & Farm | VPS – Equines & Farm only |
| JA-SQP | Equines & Avian | VPS – Equines & Avians only |
| EA-SQP | Companion, Equines & Avians | VPS – Companion, Equines & Avians only |
During training, student SQPs will undertake a common base unit and will then undertake additional units depending on the category of SQP qualification they wish to obtain. SQPs can add additional categories to their qualification at a later date if they so wish.
Example:
A student SQP undertakes, and passes, the examinations relevant to qualify them as a C-SQP (Companion animals only). After working as a C-SQP for a year, they would like to prescribe and/or supply veterinary medicines for equines so they pass the equine unit and become a VetSkill registered E-SQP. This will then legally allow them to prescribe and/or supply POM-VPS and NFA-VPS medicines for companion animals and equines.
VetSkill SQP Qualification
To become an SQP you will need to have achieved a recognised qualification. VetSkill is proud to be able to offer this qualification. https://www.vetskill.com/courses/sqp-ca/
Transferring to the VetSkill SQP Register
If you are a current SQP and wish to transfer to VetSkill for your registration you can do so for £29. Find out more.
Registering a new SQP Retailer Premises
SQPs may only supply the veterinary medicines for which they are qualified for, from registered premises. If you are planning on establishing a new SQP Retailer Premises you will need to apply directly to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) inspection team. The VMD aims to carry out your premises inspection visit within 30 working days. Further information on the application process can be found on the gov.uk website.
Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) SQP qualification procedure
Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) wishing to undertake the VetSkill SQP qualification will be eligible for exemptions from relevant parts of the qualification.