FROM January next year, vets who want to stay in practice here must go back to school to keep themselves abreast of the developments in veterinary medicine.

Like doctors who tend to human patients, the vets will have to attend courses and conferences, publish scientific papers or go on work attachments, among others, to chalk up enough points to renew their licences in 2010.

A two-year grace period will be given so vets renewing their licences this year and next year do not have to show they have obtained the required points, said licensing authority, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA).

There are 126 licensed vets now - about four times more than the 29 vets in 1988. The number of veterinary centres and clinics has also risen from five in 1971 to 34 now.

Parliamentary Secretary (National Development) Mohamad Maliki Osman announced the compulsory continuing professional education (CPE) at the Singapore Veterinary Association's annual conference opening dinner at Traders Hotel yesterday.

He said CPE has been adopted in various ways by developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the United States to help vets keep themselves up-to-date with developments in the veterinary field.

Compulsory CPE was implemented for doctors four years ago, and for dentists, this month. Like doctors, vets must obtain at least 50 points within two years. Dentists need 70 points.

AVA said it will work closely with the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA) to manage activities and allocate points, among others.

Dr Choo Li Nah, SVA vice-president, told The Straits Times yesterday that vets had been consulted, and supported the scheme to keep them at the 'cutting edge' of the latest trends, technologies and approaches.

She added: 'Although the veterinary field is a small fraternity here, opportunities are available to sign up online with established schools overseas.'

Dr Sing Kong Yuen, 57, a vet in private practice since 1982, said the scheme would allow him to learn about other animals and he can apply the knowledge to his own practice.