Training for staff members working with experimental animals

This procedure must be carried out in person by the applicant, at any OGE office, or online. You can read all the necessary information on the Government of Catalonia website.

Accreditation must be requested before participating in an animal testing procedure.

To be accredited, the following documentation must be submitted, together with the application to the Government of Catalonia: 

• Diploma awarded for a recognised training course¹
• Accreditation of the content of the training course²
• Certificate issued by the awarding institution after passing a supervised project³
• University degree certificate⁴
• Vocational training qualification or certificate of professionalisation that includes the learning outcomes included in the modules corresponding to each function, according to Annex I of Order ECC/566/2015, of 20 March, which establishes the training requirements to be met by staff members handling animals used, bred or supplied for experimentation and other scientific purposes, including teaching⁵
• Documentation accrediting knowledge or experience in veterinary medicine for animals used for experimentation and other scientific purposes, including teaching⁶
• Copy of your NIF or NIE, in case you have not yet obtained nationality

1 For all functions, except that of designated veterinarian, please submit documentation demonstrating knowledge or experience in veterinary medicine for animals used in experimentation and for other scientific purposes, including teaching; and of caring for animals, euthanasia and carrying out procedures, if you have a vocational training degree or certificate of professionalisation, which includes the learning outcomes included in the modules corresponding to each function according to Annex I of Order ECC/566/2015, of March 20, which establishes the training requirements to be met by staff members handling the animals used,  bred or supplied for experimentation and other scientific purposes, including teaching.

2 Only for courses taken abroad.

3 For the caring for animals, euthanasia and carrying out procedures function, unless you have a vocational training degree or certificate of professionalisation.

4 For the project design and procedure function, "in-situ" supervision of designated animal and veterinary welfare.

5 For the caring for animals, euthanasia and carrying out procedures function, there are no additional requirements.

6 For the designated veterinarian function, as an alternative to the recognised course diploma for the role of designated veterinarian.

Caring for animals function (a) / Euthanasia of animals function (b) / Carrying out procedures function (c) In order to obtain recognition of training for these functions, compliance with one of the following requirements is required:

1. To be in possession of a vocational training diploma or certificate of professionalisation that includes the learning outcomes included in the modules corresponding to each function according to Annex I of Order ECC/566/2015, of March 20, which establishes the training requirements to be met by staff members handling animals used, bred or supplied for experimentation and other scientific purposes, including teaching. 

2. To have passed the training courses aimed at achieving the learning outcomes included in the modules corresponding to each function, according to Annex I of Order ECC/566/2015, of 20 March, and the completion of a period of work under supervision until the necessary skills to perform each function autonomously were acquired. 

Project design and procedures function (d) To obtain recognition of training for this role, compliance with the following requirements is required:

1. A university degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctoral degree, or equivalent, in Biology (animal), Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or any other discipline that includes studies on animal biology and physiology in its learning programme. 

2. Training courses aimed at achieving the learning outcomes included in the modules corresponding to this function, according to Annex I of Order ECC/566/2015, of 20 March. 

People who hold an undergraduate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, or equivalent, other than those specified in 'number 1', and who have passed the courses referred to in 'number 2', may also obtain training certification for this function, provided that these courses include an additional module on the foundations of animal biology and physiology, aimed at the species or group of species involved.

Responsible for the "in-situ" supervision of animal welfare and care function (e) In order to obtain recognition for training for this role, compliance with the following requirements is required:

1. A university degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctor's degree, or equivalent, in Biology (animal), Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or any other discipline that includes studies on animal biology and physiology in the learning programme. 

2. Training courses aimed at achieving the learning outcomes included in the modules corresponding to this function, according to Annex I of Order ECC/566/2015, of 20 March. 

Designated veterinary function (f) To obtain recognition for training for this function, compliance with the following requirements is required:

1. A university degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctor's degree, or equivalent, that allows the practice of veterinary medicine. 

2. Training courses aimed at achieving the learning outcomes included in the modules corresponding to this function, according to Annex I of Order ECC/566/2015, of 20 March*.