CCAB Certification are introducing a change to their assessment. We have brought this in in response to both feedback from candidates who have completed their assessments in recent years and feedback from assessors. The change will support you as candidates in working to CCAB standards, and break the assessment down into stages, meaning that by the time you are sitting your viva assessment, you already have more confidence in your work.
Please note there are no changes to the performance criteria or the standards required to pass the assessment. There are no changes to the total assessment fee associated with this, though the fee is being split into sections (outlined below).
There will now be a separate assessment for candidates’ reports, which will be taken before the viva. Some of the performance criteria (outlined below) have always related to written communication with clients, but were historically assessed within the viva. This has led to some candidates having post-viva feedback largely related to improving their reports, causing understandable frustration that they have prepared for and undergone a viva assessment that they were unlikely to pass. Historically, it has been possible for those candidates to pass by offering open and appropriate reflection on historic report writing practice and evidencing/discussing within the viva that their current practice meets CCAB standards. However, reflecting on feedback from candidates and assessors, we feel that a separate stage of report assessment, prior to viva is now appropriate. The details of this are outlined below. We are excited to introduce this assessment phase. It will help to support you as candidates in your report writing, reduce viva nerves and uphold standards so that clients and patients working with a CCAB can trust that they receive a high standard of service in all aspects of their care.
CCAB Certification have passed on this information to FABC and the FABC resources supporting CCABs and candidate CCABs with their report writing has been updated.
- Candidates will submit a case log (found here on website) – no change to previous requirement other than one additional column to reflect whether the report written for each case reflects the current practice of the candidate. This is to ensure that CCAB Certification are assessing current practice. We encourage reflection and development between cases, so we understand that cases seen some time ago may not meet assessment standards for successful candidates.
- A minimum of four reports/follow up material are chosen. These should cover all aspects of case management, for all essential case types, which the candidate has led on. If the four cases do not achieve this, additional cases will be selected. There is no change to previous requirements other than for some candidates, only where needed, more than four cases will be used in order to allow the candidate to demonstrate all aspects of case management.
- At least four case reports must reflect current practice. This is to ensure a fair assessment for the candidate.
- Anonymised case materials should be submitted within pre-agreed 48 hour window. No change to previous requirement.
- The case reports (only initial reports, not the follow up material – this is submitted for discussion during the viva) are assessed against a set criteria (found here). This is a new stage in the CCAB Certification assessment. Please note, there are no additional performance criteria and no change to the standards required, simply a separation of when the reports are assessed in relation to when the viva takes place.
- Candidates will now only be offered a viva assessment if they pass the report assessment.
Candidates must achieve the following in their written reports:
- All reports (and vet reports if different) reflecting current practice must meet all of the requirements set out below.
- Written evidence of a risk assessment with risk management plan is communicated to the client and vet.
- The candidate remains within their remit and seeks further guidance or refers on where needed.
- Where complementary, diet, and alternative or non-prescription therapies or products are mentioned or recommended, the advice provided within the report is safe, ethical and delivered within professional boundaries. Guidance on this for non-MRCVS candidates is available here.
- An assessment is provided which includes an explanation of the motivation/emotion underpinning the behaviour(s).
- Behavioural modification plan (BMP) including clear goals and rational for the BMP is described. The BMP should clearly link to the assessment.
- Plans for follow-up and next steps are included, with clear description of how progress will be monitored, and when.
- All information is communicated clearly.
- If there is more than one signatory on a report, candidates should provide a credit statement relating to each section of the report. Having multiple authors is acceptable for assessment, so long as all authors have worked within their remit and the candidate is prepared to discuss all aspects of the report (on a colleague to colleague level) in the viva.
Application fees
You will now pay per section of the assessment that you are applying for, one at a time – only paying for the subsequent stage when you have passed the previous one and wish to apply for the next one.
- Report assessment: £50
- Viva assessment: £150
- Practical assessment: £80
Time frame for introduction
Anyone submitting their application from 1st July 2026 will use this new system. Between now and 1st July 2026, if you prefer to use the new system, you are welcome to, but we will still accept via the previous system if that it preferred – please clarify on application which your preference is.
