NOW OPEN FOR NEW APPLICATIONS

Membership Application

The IRVAP membership year runs from 31st March to the 30th March each year, with an annual renewal window throughout March for all current members. Outside this window applications are considered as new and must meet current membership criteria for each respective category.

From the 1st April 2026 The Institute of Registered Animal and Veterinary Physiotherapists (IRVAP) will operate as a Company Limited by Guarantee for the mutual benefit of its members. 

We are a not-for-profit Limited Company registered as IRVAP Ltd.

A Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) is a type of organisation commonly used for charities, clubs, professional bodies and non-profits.  Instead of shareholders, it has Guarantor Members.

All members of IRVAP are Guarantor Members. 

On joining IRVAP, you will be asked to consent to becoming a Guarantor Member, by electronically signing the Statement of Guarantee.

By accepting the Statement of Guarantee, you will be:

  • Opting to become a Guarantor Member of the Company Limited by Guarantee known as IRVAP Ltd, and having your name added to the official register of members.
  • Accepting the legal liability of a maximum of £1 as a Guarantor of the Company.

Statement of Guarantee:  As stated within our Articles of Association, the liability of each Member is limited to £1, being the amount that each Member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Company in the event of its being wound up while they are a Member or within one year after they cease to be a Member.

During your membership application, you will have access to the Articles of Association, our Member Terms & Conditions and Member Code of Conduct, our Privacy Notice and the Statement of Guarantee. 

You will be asked to accept the Terms and Conditions and Member Code of Conduct, our Privacy Notice, and the Articles of Association. 

At the end of your membership application, you will be asked to click “I Agree”, you confirm that you have read and understood the Statement of Guarantee and agree to be legally bound by it.

If you have any questions, please contact membership@irvap.org.uk

Please read review our pre-application advice to ensure a smooth application process.

IRVAP have secured an outstanding professional liability policy for just £100 which is available during the application process.

Begin Application

Primary memberships

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Veterinary Physiotherapist Member: MIRVAP (VP)

£100

Any person practicing is eligible to become a Veterinary Physiotherapist (VP) member of IRVAP if they:

  • Have successfully completed an accepted qualification in animal musculoskeletal therapy (Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic), at a minimum of Level 6 on the FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) that fully meets IRVAP’ s documented requirements.
  • Meet the current membership criteria as determined by the Council, to include such matters as CPD and Insurance
  • Hold a current First Aid Qualification at Level 3+
  • Have paid the Institute’s annual subscription
  • Have submitted their application and subsequently had that application accepted.
  • Are committed to promoting the aims of IRVAP
  • Agree to abide by the IRVAP Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct

Post nominals MIRVAP(VP) will denote this category

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Manual Therapist Member: MIRVAP (MT)

£100

Any person practicing is eligible to become a Manual Therapist (MT) member of IRVAP if they:

  • Have successfully completed an accepted qualification in animal musculoskeletal therapy), at a minimum of Level 4 on the FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) and meeting IRVAP’ s documented requirements.
  • Meet the current membership criteria as determined by the Council, to include such matters as CPD and Insurance
  • Hold a current First Aid Qualification at Level 3+
  • Have paid the Institute’s annual subscription
  • Have submitted their application and subsequently had that application accepted.
  • Are committed to promoting the aims of IRVAP
  • Agree to abide by the IRVAP Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct

Post nominals MIRVAP(MT) will denote this category

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Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists: MIRVAP (ICH)

£100

Any person practicing is eligible to become an Institute of Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH)  member if they:

  • Have successfully completed an accepted qualification in Canine or Small Animal Hydrotherapy at a minimum of Level 4 on the FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) and meeting IRVAP’ s documented requirements.

      OR

  • Has ICH grandparenting rights between December 2025 and March 2029, maintains their membership, and meets the grandparenting criteria as outlined in the Grandparenting Policy.

      AND

  • Meet the current membership criteria as determined by the Council, to include such matters as CPD and Insurance
  • Hold a current First Aid Qualification at Level 3+
  • Have paid the Institute’s annual subscription
  • Have submitted their application and subsequently had that application accepted.
  • Are committed to promoting the aims of IRVAP
  • Agree to abide by the IRVAP Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct

 Post nominals MIRVAP(ICH) will denote this denote this category

Learn more
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Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists: MIRVAP (IEH)

£100

Any person practicing is eligible to become an Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists (IEH)  member if they:

  • Have successfully completed an accepted qualification in Equine Hydrotherapy (Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic),  at a minimum of Level 4 on the FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) and meeting IRVAP’ s documented requirements.

       OR

  • Has ICH grandparenting rights between December 2025 and March 2029, maintains their membership, and meets the grandparenting criteria as outlined in the Grandparenting Policy.

      AND

  • Meet the current membership criteria as determined by the Council, to include such matters as CPD and Insurance
  • Hold a current First Aid Qualification at Level 3+
  • Have paid the Institute’s annual subscription
  • Have submitted their application and subsequently had that application accepted.
  • Are committed to promoting the aims of IRVAP
  • Agree to abide by the IRVAP Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct

Post nominals MIRVAP(IEH) will denote this category

Learn more

Free memberships

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Student Member

Any person is eligible to become a Student member of IRVAP if they:

  • Are a current student on any course of study that leads to a qualification accepted for membership categories as listed above.
  • Has paid the institute’s annual subscription if applicable.
  • Have submitted their application and subsequently had that application accepted.
  • Are committed to promoting the aims of IRVAP
  • Agree to abide by the IRVAP Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct

No post-nominals or professional listing is applicable for this category

Student Members can upgrade to the appropriate full membership category on evidenced successful completion of their course/graduation free of charge.  Normal processes and fees will commence at the next annual renewal.

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Non-practising Member

 

A member can be registered in this category if they meet one or more of the following criteria and maintain their insurance for the duration:

  • Return to full time study
  • Maternity or paternity leave
  • Long-term illness 
  • On sabbatical
  • Otherwise deemed appropriate by the Council
  • Have paid the institute’s annual subscription
  • Have had their application accepted by the Council and successfully processed through the registration procedures
  • Surrender their post nominals whilst non-practicing

Requirements for reinstatement of practicing status and restoration of post-nominals are detailed in the IRVAP Return to Practice Policy.

Council Appointed Memberships

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Affiliate Member

An Affiliate Member of IRVAP is a valued participant who contributes to the advancement of animal musculoskeletal therapy through professional engagement, knowledge sharing, and industry development, or may be a professional from another field contributing to the objectives of IRVAP.

Affiliate Members may be proposed by any other member, and subsequently appointed by majority vote of Council.

Affiliate members:

  • Are committed to promoting the aims if IRVAP
  • Agree to abide by the IRVAP Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct

Where appropriate, by majority vote of Council, Affiliate Members may be appointed Council Officers and Directors of the Company.

No post nominals or professional listing is applicable for this category

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Hon Fellow / Fellow

This category shall be awarded to those members who have shown excellence in both the promotion and application of animal therapy. The Council may recommend any member; Veterinary Physiotherapist, Manual Therapist, ICH or IEH to become a Fellow. 

Post nominals FIRVAP will denote this category.