Microchip implanters
You can only implant microchips if you:
- are a vet or vet nurse
- are a student vet or student vet nurse as long as you're being supervised by a vet
- have passed an approved training course - see below
You can continue to implant microchips if you trained and implanted microchips before January 2016. That training had to include practical experience of implanting a microchip.
It's illegal for anyone else to implant a microchip in a dog. You can be fined up to £2,500.
Where to train
These courses are approved:
- Lantra awards level 3 award in perfoming microchip implantation in animals (QCF) qualification - Lantra
- Lantra performing microchip implantation in animals (SCQF) level 6 - Lantra
- VetSkill level 3 award in implantation of identification microchips in animals - VetSkill
- Microchip implant training - the Microchip Trade Association Ltd
- Microchip implanter training - PeddyMark Ltd
Microchip standards
All microchips that are implanted must:
- have a unique number which includes the manufacturer's code
- meet the relevant ISO standards
- respond to the relevant transceiver
This makes sure they meet the technical standards.
It's illegal to implant a microchip that doesn't meet technical standards. You can be fined up to £2,500.