Apply for this licence
If you work in farriery (shoeing horses or other equine animals) in England, Scotland or Wales, you must register with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC). You must have a qualification approved by the FRC, such as the Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (DipWCF).
If you’re applying from outside Great Britain, the FRC will check your qualification to make sure it meets their standards. The FRC may ask you to:
- prove you’ve been working as a farrier
- train under an approved training farrier (ATF)
- pass a test of your ability
If your qualification is not recognised by the FRC or you do not have a qualification, the FRC can tell you what to do. You might need to take the DipWCF or do some training.
How to apply
You can apply to register on the FRC website. Make sure you choose the correct application form, depending on your entry route.
You must enclose a registration fee and all supporting documents, such as qualifications and proof of identity, with your application.
You’ll only be allowed to practise farriery once you receive written confirmation of registration.
If your application is successful, your name and contact details will be added to the register and you’ll get a certificate of registration.
You need to pay an annual fee to stay on the register.
Fines and penalties
If you’re found guilty of serious professional misconduct, convicted of an offence involving cruelty to animals or it’s discovered that you were not properly qualified when you registered, you may be taken off the register.
It’s a criminal offence to carry out farriery or call yourself a farrier or shoeing smith if you’re not registered with the FRC. If you do so, you may be fined up to £1,000.