All accreditations

Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists

IRVAP Registered Veterinary Physiotherapist

What this means for your pet

An IRVAP-registered therapist has met minimum qualification standards verified by the institute, holds appropriate insurance, and is committed to ongoing CPD. Check the specific membership category (VP, MT, ICH) to understand the level of qualification.

About this accreditation

IRVAP is a multi-professional register and membership body for animal therapy professionals. Unlike ACPAT (which requires chartered physiotherapist status), IRVAP accepts practitioners from multiple disciplines including veterinary physiotherapists, manual therapists, and hydrotherapists who hold recognised animal therapy qualifications at Level 4-6.

Who can hold this accreditation

Multiple membership categories. Veterinary Physiotherapist (VP): must hold a Level 6 qualification. Manual Therapist (MT): Level 4-6 qualification. Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH): Level 3 certificate (rising to Level 4 from December 2025). All require qualification certificates, course transcripts, CV, CPD record, and insurance certification.

Referral requirement

Yes — legally required under the Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015.

Title protection

'IRVAP Registered' is a professional membership designation, not a legally protected title.

Professional oversight

Continuing Professional Development

Annual CPD required and audited

Complaints process

Code of Conduct in place

Insurance

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance required

Legal basis

Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015

Accredited providers (638)

Showing 200 of 638 providers. Use the Explorer to search and filter all providers.

Quick facts

Abbreviation

IRVAP

Issuing body

Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists

Type

professional body

Protected title

No

Practitioner is a vet

No

Providers listed

638

External links

Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists websiteOfficial register