The veterinary profession in the UK is changing. More vets and veterinary nurses are stepping away from traditional permanent roles in favour of locum work — temporary positions that offer greater flexibility, higher earning potential, and a chance to experience different clinical environments. But what exactly is a locum vet, and is it the right path for you?
Whether you're a newly qualified vet considering your options, an experienced clinician thinking about a change, or a practice manager looking to understand how locum cover works, this guide covers everything you need to know about veterinary locuming in the UK.
What Does "Locum" Actually Mean?
The word locum comes from the Latin phrase locum tenens, meaning "one who holds the place of another." In veterinary medicine, a locum vet is a qualified veterinary surgeon who works on a temporary basis at practices that need cover.
Locum vets are not agency staff in the traditional sense. They are fully qualified, RCVS-registered professionals who choose to work flexibly rather than holding a single permanent position. They might cover a single day shift, a week of holiday cover, or several months of maternity leave.
The same applies to locum veterinary nurses — RCVS-registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) who provide temporary nursing cover across practices.
How Does Veterinary Locuming Work?
The mechanics of locuming are straightforward. A veterinary practice needs temporary clinical cover — perhaps a staff member is on holiday, someone has left and the position hasn't been filled yet, or the practice is experiencing a seasonal surge in caseload.
The practice posts the shift or contract with details including:
- Dates and times of the cover needed
- Species type (small animal, equine, farm, exotic, or mixed)
- Day rate or hourly rate being offered
- Location and any accommodation provided
- Clinical expectations (consulting, surgery, OOH, etc.)
Locum vets then review available opportunities and apply for shifts that suit their skills, availability, and preferences. Once both parties agree, the locum turns up, does the work, and invoices the practice directly for payment.
It's worth noting that in the UK, locum vets are typically self-employed — they are not employees of the practice. This has implications for tax, insurance, and how the working relationship is structured, which we'll cover later.
RCVS Requirements for Locum Vets
Every veterinary surgeon practising in the UK must be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). This applies equally to locum vets and permanent staff. There are no separate registration categories for locum work.
To work as a locum vet in the UK, you need:
- RCVS registration — Your name must appear on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Surgeons, and your registration must be current.
- Professional indemnity (PI) insurance — While practices carry their own insurance, locum vets should hold their own PI cover. Many insurers offer policies specifically designed for locum work.
- Right to work in the UK — You must have legal authorisation to work in the UK, whether as a British or Irish citizen, settled status holder, or visa holder with appropriate work rights.
- CPD compliance — The RCVS requires a minimum of 35 hours of continuing professional development per year. As a locum, you're responsible for managing and recording your own CPD.
For locum veterinary nurses, the requirements are similar: RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), right to work documentation, and a current CV. PI insurance is recommended but not mandatory for RVNs.
Many practices will also want to see an up-to-date CV and may request references, particularly for longer placements.
Why Vets Choose Locum Work
The growth of locuming in UK veterinary medicine isn't accidental. There are compelling reasons why qualified vets are making the switch.
Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
This is consistently cited as the number one reason vets move into locum work. You choose when you work, where you work, and how much you work. Want to take a month off to travel? No annual leave request needed. Prefer to work four days a week? That's entirely your call.
For vets experiencing burnout — a well-documented issue in the profession — this control over working patterns can be transformative.
Higher Earning Potential
Locum vets typically earn more per day than their permanently employed counterparts. Day rates for locum vets in the UK vary by species and region, but they generally reflect the premium that practices are willing to pay for flexible, temporary cover.
For a detailed breakdown of current rates, see our guide to locum vet pay rates in the UK for 2026.
Clinical Variety
Working across multiple practices exposes you to different equipment, protocols, case mixes, and ways of doing things. Many locums find this variety keeps their clinical skills sharp and their enthusiasm for the job high.
No Practice Politics
Locum work tends to involve less of the interpersonal complexity that comes with being a permanent team member. You arrive, do excellent clinical work, and leave. Many vets find this refreshing.
Testing the Waters
Locuming is an excellent way to experience different practice types, locations, and working cultures before committing to a permanent role. It's particularly valuable for newly qualified vets who aren't sure what kind of practice suits them best.
Why Practices Use Locum Vets
From the practice side, locum cover serves several critical needs.
Holiday and Sickness Cover
The most common reason. Practices need to maintain clinical capacity when permanent staff are away. Without locum cover, the remaining team faces increased workload and client appointments may need to be cancelled.
Recruitment Gaps
The UK veterinary sector faces well-documented recruitment challenges. When a permanent vet leaves, it can take weeks or months to fill the position. Locum cover bridges the gap.
Seasonal Demand
Some practices experience predictable surges — spring lambing season for farm practices, summer holiday periods when pet owners travel, or the post-Christmas period when new puppies arrive.
Maternity and Long-Term Leave
Extended absences require reliable cover. Locum vets who can commit to longer placements are particularly valued.
Growth and Expansion
Practices testing new service lines or expanding their opening hours may use locum cover before committing to a permanent hire.
Types of Locum Veterinary Work
Locum opportunities span the full range of veterinary species and disciplines.
Small Animal
The most common locum work in the UK. Small animal locum shifts typically involve consultations, routine surgeries, and emergency work at companion animal practices. This is where the highest volume of shifts exists, and rates generally range from around £400 to £600 per day.
Equine
Equine locum work covers everything from routine lameness work-ups and pre-purchase examinations to emergency colic cases. Equine locums often need their own transport and may cover a geographical area rather than a single premises. Rates tend to be higher, reflecting the specialist nature of the work.
Farm Animal
Farm vets working as locums typically handle TB testing, fertility work, routine visits, and emergency call-outs. Farm locum work is particularly common in rural areas of Wales, the West Country, Scotland, and Northern England.
Mixed Practice
Many UK practices, particularly in rural areas, still operate as mixed practices seeing a combination of small animals, farm animals, and sometimes equines. Mixed practice locum work suits vets who are comfortable across species.
Exotic and Specialist
A smaller but growing niche. Some locum vets specialise in exotic species, emergency and critical care, or other specialist areas.
A Day in the Life of a Locum Vet
What does a typical locum shift actually look like? While every practice and every day is different, here's a general picture of a small animal locum day shift.
Before the shift — You'll have confirmed the details with the practice: start and finish times, parking arrangements, any specific systems or protocols to be aware of. Many practices send an induction pack or brief to locums in advance.
Morning — Arrive, get oriented with the practice management system and layout, meet the nursing team, and start consultations. As a locum, you'll be seeing a full range of cases — vaccinations, skin problems, GI upsets, post-operative checks, and anything else that walks through the door.
Midday — Surgical list if applicable. Routine procedures like castrations, spays, lump removals, and dental work.
Afternoon — More consultations, follow-up calls, lab result reviews, and any emergency cases that present during the day.
End of shift — Complete clinical notes, hand over any cases that need follow-up, and confirm shift hours with the practice for invoicing purposes.
The key difference from permanent work is that you won't be carrying ongoing cases between visits (unless you're on a longer-term placement). Good clinical notes and clear handovers are essential.
How to Get Started as a Locum Vet
If you're considering the move to locum work, here's a practical roadmap.
1. Ensure Your Registration Is Current
Check that your RCVS registration is up to date and that your name appears on the Register. Sort this out before anything else.
2. Arrange Professional Indemnity Insurance
Several insurers offer PI policies for locum vets. The Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) and other providers have products specifically designed for locum work. Make sure your cover is adequate for the type of work you'll be doing.
3. Decide on Your Business Structure
Most locum vets operate as sole traders, but some work through a limited company or an umbrella company. Each has different implications for tax, National Insurance, and administrative burden. It's worth speaking to an accountant who understands veterinary locum work.
4. Build Your Profile
Prepare an up-to-date CV, gather your documentation (RCVS registration, PI certificate, right to work, photo ID), and consider what species and shift types you're interested in.
5. Find Shifts
There are several ways to find locum work, from traditional agencies and word-of-mouth to modern platforms. For a full rundown of your options, read our guide on how to find locum vet shifts in the UK.
Platforms like Fetch are designed specifically for this purpose — connecting verified locum vets directly with practices that need cover, without agency fees eating into your earnings.
6. Start Gradually
If you're transitioning from a permanent role, consider starting with a few locum shifts while still employed (if your contract allows) to get a feel for the lifestyle. Many vets do a phased transition rather than jumping in all at once.
Common Questions About Locum Vet Work
Do locum vets earn more than permanent vets?
On a per-day basis, yes — locum day rates are typically higher than the equivalent permanent salary divided by working days. However, locums don't receive benefits like paid holiday, pension contributions, or sick pay. The overall financial picture depends on how many days you work and how well you manage your business expenses. Our pay rates guide breaks this down in detail.
Is locum work suitable for newly qualified vets?
It can be, but most newly qualified vets benefit from spending at least a year or two in a permanent role first. This provides structured support, mentorship, and the chance to build clinical confidence in a consistent environment. That said, some NQVs do locum successfully, particularly if they choose practices that offer good support.
Can I do locum work part-time alongside a permanent job?
Many vets do exactly this — perhaps working three days a week in a permanent role and picking up locum shifts on their free days. Check your employment contract for any restrictions on outside work.
What about out-of-hours (OOH) work?
Some locum shifts include OOH cover, and rates for nights and weekends are typically higher. Whether you take on OOH work is entirely your choice as a locum.
The Future of Veterinary Locuming
The demand for locum vets in the UK shows no signs of slowing down. Ongoing recruitment challenges, changing attitudes to work-life balance, and the growth of corporate practice groups all contribute to a robust locum market.
Technology is also making locuming more accessible. Platforms like Fetch are removing the friction from the process — making it easier for vets to find suitable shifts and for practices to find verified, qualified cover quickly.
If you're considering locum work, there's never been a better time to explore the opportunity. And if you're a practice looking for reliable locum cover, the tools to find great vets are better than they've ever been.
Ready to explore locum opportunities? Create your free Fetch profile and start browsing shifts today.