In DEFRA's updated Animal activities licensing statutory guidance for local authorities, it confirmed animal inspectors do not need their Level 3 Certificate for Animal Inspectors course by 1 October 2022.

DEFRA updated the guidance on 28 September 2022 saying the update is "to remove the date for enrolling on a course leading to a Level 3 certificate qualification or equivalent. Inspectors do not need to complete a training course by 1 October 2022."

The statutory guidance for local authority explains the conditions that businesses need to meet in order to receive an animal activities licence.

This guidance covers:

• dog breeding
• pet selling
• hiring out horses
• boarding for dogs and cats
• home boarding for dogs
• dog day care
• keeping or training animals for exhibition