| 1844 |
RCVS was formed after the Royal Charter was granted. Veterinary practice became a profession distinguished by the title "veterinary surgeon". Thomas Turner was the first President of the RCVS, from 1844-1851. |
| 1844 |
Granting of the Coat of Arms. |
| 1853 |
Acquired the lease of 10 Red Lion Square. Prior to 1853 the RCVS had no home and council meetings were held in the Freemasons’ Tavern. |
| 1881 |
The first Veterinary Surgeons Act was passed, which confirmed the Charters and authorised the establishment of a Register and imposed certain restrictions on unauthorised people. |
| 1883 |
Acquired the freehold of 10 Red Lion Square. |
| 1914 |
Further Royal Charter was granted. |
| 1920 |
The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1881 Amendment Act imposed an annual fee of £1 and 1s on all members practising in the UK. |
| 1922 |
Aleen Cust became the first woman to become an MRCVS. |
| 1939 |
Acquired 9 Red Lion Square. |
| 1940 |
Relocated to Wembley and then to Harrogate, with the exception of the Library which continued to operate from Red Lion Square until 1941. The building in Red Lion Square was hit by bombs on 10 May 1941. |
| 1948 |
The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1948 set up the current system under which veterinary degrees awarded by UK universities may be recognised. The degrees of the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and London were recognised. |
| 1949 |
A Supplementary Veterinary Register was set up for existing practitioners who did not hold relevant formal qualifications. |
| 1952 |
On her accession to the throne, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II granted her patronage to the RCVS. |
| 1960 |
Moved out of Red Lion Square into temporary accommodation in Kensington. |
| 1962 |
Moved into 32 Belgrave Square. |
| 1966 |
The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 consolidated and updated all previous legislation. |
| 1967 |
Supplemental Charter revoked all the previous Supplemental Charters. It restated and consolidated provision of the previous Charters which were not covered by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. |
| 1994 |
The RCVS celebrated its 150th anniversary with a wide range of events under the Charter 150 banner. |
| 1995 |
Moved into Belgravia House, Horseferry Road. |
| 1999 |
Council voted to allow lay people to sit as observers with its Preliminary Investigation Committee. |
| 2000 |
New edition of the Guide to Professional Conduct - for the first time available on the RCVS website to the public as well as the profession. |
| 2002 |
Veterinary Nurses Council established. |
| 2005 |
Practice Standards Scheme established. |
| 2007 |
Professional Development Phase introduced for new veterinary graduates. |
| 2007 |
Non-statutory Register of Veterinary Nurses opened. |
| 2010 |
First veterinary nurse takes seat on RCVS Council. |
| 2012 |
Guides to professional conduct are replaced by new Codes of Professional Conduct for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses. |
| 2013 |
Legislative Reform Order (LRO) to reconstitute RCVS disciplinary committees separately from RCVS Council came into force on 6 April amending the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. |
| 2015 |
Supplemental Charter of 2015 The Charter was granted on 17 February 2015. |
| 2018 |
Legislative Reform Order (LRO) to reform the governance arrangements of the RCVS came into force in May amending the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. |