After more than two decades since the program’s inception, Version 3.0 of the PREGCHECK™ Program Rules was finalised in February 2025 and represents the most significant update the program has seen. There are important changes to how accreditation works, how examinations can be conducted, and how certification is issued — and we want every accredited tester and examiner across the country to be across them.
This edition covers: a plain-language summary of what has changed; a step-by-step guide to using the online systems; and an FAQ section addressing the questions we know are already landing in our inbox.
The full Version 3.0 Program Rules are available via the website. As always, if anything is unclear, reach out to the ACV office or contact me directly.
Dr Lachlan Strohfeldt
PREGCHECK™ Program Convenor
Protein Production Vets | Toowoomba, Queensland
PREGCHECK™ VERSION 3.0 — WHAT’S CHANGED
The headline changes in the 2025 rules update are summarised below.
- Approved Examination Methods: Transrectal ultrasonography is now formally recognised as an approved method alongside manual rectal palpation. Candidates may now be examined using either technique (or both). This is a significant shift from prior versions, where manual palpation was the primary assessed modality.
- NDP Category Clarification: Manual rectal palpation is recommended to verify NDP status, unless the veterinarian determines palpation poses undue risk to the animal or operator.
- NDPPathology Category: A new formal category — NDPPathology — has been added for animals where clinical examination identifies a pathological process or reproductive tract defect. Accredited testers are required to provide sound clinical advice on management or treatment when this status is applied.
- Online Platform (AVA My Learning): All application, theory examination, annual return, and audit submission processes now run through the AVA Learning Management System (My Learning). There is no longer a paper-based pathway for these administrative steps.
- Digital Certification: The PREGCHECK™ digital certificate is now the preferred certification format. Certificates are accessible via www.pregcheck.com.au and must use NLIS EID (RFID) or NLIS VID for individual animal identification where tail/ear tags are not used.
- Annual Return Thresholds: No change to the minimum numbers: Accredited Testers must log at least 1,000 head in the previous 12 months; Approved Examiners must log at least 5,000 head. A three-year average provision remains available for those with a valid reason for a lower-volume year.
- Annual Audit: 1% of accredited testers will be randomly selected each year for audit. Auditees must submit certificates and examination records via My Learning within the specified timeframe.
- Complaints Process: A formalised complaints process with clear timelines is now embedded in the rules. Initial acknowledgement within 7 days; written submissions requested within 21 days.
THE EXAMINATION METHOD CHANGE: MANUAL VS ULTRASOUND
This is the single most significant clinical change in Version 3.0, and one that has been a long time coming.
Under Previous Rules (Versions 1.0 and 2.0):
The PREGCHECK™ accreditation examination was fundamentally built around manual rectal palpation. Candidates were required to demonstrate competency in manual palpation as the primary and assessed method. Transrectal ultrasound was used in practice by many members but was not formally recognised within the examination and accreditation framework.
Under Version 3.0:
Both manual rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasonography are now formally approved methods for pregnancy diagnosis under the PREGCHECK™ Program. The accreditation examination may be conducted using either method — or a combination of both — at the mutual agreement of the candidate and the Approved Examiner.
Important: NDP Verification
Regardless of which primary method a tester uses, the Version 3.0 rules recommend that manual rectal palpation be used to verify NDP (Not Detectably Pregnant) animals — unless the veterinarian determines that palpation poses undue risk to the animal or the operator based on sound clinical reasoning.
Examination Standards — What Hasn’t Changed:
Regardless of method used, the examination pass criteria remain consistent:
- Commercial speed (~60 head/hour, subject to facilities)
- No misdiagnosis of a pregnant animal as empty (or vice versa)
- Gestational age variation within 2 weeks (pregnancies <4 months) or 1 month (>4 months) for no more than 15% of animals
- Inconclusive diagnoses limited to 10% of animals <6 weeks gestation; <1% for animals confirmed >6 weeks or NDP
USING THE ONLINE SYSTEMS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
PREGCHECK™ now operates across two digital platforms. Understanding which system handles which function will save you time.
- AVA My Learning (my.ava.com.au)
My Learning is the AVA’s Learning Management System (LMS) and is the administrative hub for PREGCHECK™ accreditation. It handles:
- Initial application and theory examination (short answer / MCQ, 80% pass mark required before progressing to practical)
- Submission of Examiner Report Forms after practical examination
- Access to your certificate of completion and accreditation number post-accreditation
- Annual return submission (confirmation of numbers examined in the previous 12 months)
- Audit submissions (certificates and examination records for the 1% random annual audit)
Getting started on My Learning:
- Log in at my.ava.com.au using your AVA membership credentials
- Navigate to the PREGCHECK™ course and complete the application quiz
- The theory component must be completed and passed (80%) before you can arrange your practical examination
- Once your Examiner Report Form is submitted and verified by the Pregcheck Convenor, your accreditation status will be updated in the system
- PREGCHECK™ Digital Certificate Portal (www.pregcheck.com.au)
This is the certification platform — separate from My Learning — where Accredited Testers issue certificates to producers after completing a pregnancy examination mob. The lime green Pregcheck certificate books will not be reprinted. Please use the digital certificates to certify cattle. If you have any suggestions for improvement of the digital certificates, please get in touch.
What a PREGCHECK™ digital certificate must include:
- PREGCHECK™ Trademark
- Details of the cattle owner/manager
- Your name and accreditation number
- Date of diagnosis
- Total number of cattle examined
- Individual animal identification: NLIS EID (e.g. 982 123456789101) or NLIS VID (e.g. QAZZ1234XBJ12345) — OR tail/ear tag serial numbers
- The approved method used (manual palpation and/or transrectal ultrasound)
- Pregnancy diagnosis category for each animal examined
- Your signature
Tail Tags vs NLIS — Which to Use?
Physical tail tags or ear tags remain valid. However, NLIS-based identification (EID or VID) linked to a digital certificate is the preferred approach under Version 3.0. It creates a traceable, auditable record that is far more robust than a physical tag that may be removed or lost at sale.
Rule 4.4 specifically notes: ‘The use of NLIS identification and web-based certification is acceptable for the purposes of identification.’ Accredited Testers are encouraged to establish NLIS-based systems where possible.
Certificate Retention:
All certificates must be retained for a minimum of two (2) years. In the event of an annual audit, you will be required to produce copies of all certificates issued in the preceding 12 months.
FAQ — YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: I was already accredited under the old rules. Do I need to re-sit the examination?
A: No. Previous accreditation remains valid under Version 3.0. You do not need to re-sit any examination. Your existing accreditation number is unchanged. You will, however, need to comply with all Version 3.0 requirements going forward — including submitting your annual return via My Learning and ensuring your certificates meet the updated format requirements.
Q: I’ve been doing ultrasound pregnancy testing for years. Can I now be examined using ultrasound only?
A: Yes. Version 3.0 formally recognises transrectal ultrasonography as an approved examination method. You can be assessed using ultrasound, manual palpation, or a combination of both — at the mutual agreement of you and the Approved Examiner. Keep in mind the recommendation to verify NDP animals by manual palpation unless there is a specific clinical reason not to.
Q: What is the difference between an Accredited Tester and an Approved Examiner?
A: An Accredited Tester is qualified to perform PREGCHECK™-certified pregnancy diagnoses and issue certificates to producers. An Approved Examiner holds a higher level of demonstrated expertise and is authorised to conduct the practical accreditation examination for Accredited Tester candidates. Examiners must have been graduated for at least 5 years and hold documented evidence of a significantly higher caseload. Annual minimum for an Examiner is 5,000 head (versus 1,000 head for an Accredited Tester).
Q: What happens if I don’t submit my annual return on time?
A: If you fail to submit your annual return by the due date (or let your ACV membership lapse), your accreditation is automatically suspended. You must immediately stop using the PREGCHECK™ trademark, stop holding yourself out as an Accredited Tester or Approved Examiner, and cease use of all PREGCHECK™ identification marks. You will also be automatically removed from the public register. Reinstatement requires getting your membership current and submitting the overdue return. PLEASE CONTACT ACV IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN YOUR ANNUAL RETURN AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT IT FOR REINSTAMENT
Q: What constitutes a valid herd for the practical examination?
A: At minimum: 100 head, with an expected pregnancy rate of 50–90%. At least 50% of pregnant animals must be under 4 months, with at least 10 animals between 6–10 weeks gestation. The examination must be conducted at a commercially acceptable speed (~60 head/hour). In full: 20 NDP empties, 30 animals ≥4 months, 30 animals <4 months (of which 10 are 6–10 weeks). Where a suitable single mob is unavailable, examination may be split across two or more herds by mutual agreement.
Q: Where do I find an Approved Examiner to conduct my practical assessment?
A: A register of Approved Examiners is maintained on the ACV website at www.ava.com.au/cattle. You can also contact the ACV office directly. The number and location of the herd is to be mutually agreed between you and the Examiner — it can be your patient’s herd or another suitable herd that meets the minimum criteria.
THE NEW AVA WEBSITE — WHAT’S THERE FOR PREGCHECK™ MEMBERS
The AVA has recently launched a redesigned website, and with it comes a significantly improved ACV member area. The PREGCHECK™ program has a dedicated page at:
www.ava.com.au/community/sig/cattle/pregcheck
This page is publicly accessible and serves as the primary entry point for producers, agents, and veterinarians wanting to understand the program. For accredited members, the member-only area of the ACV site unlocks additional resources — including the tools you need to operate within PREGCHECK™ day to day.
What’s on the Public PREGCHECK™ Page
- Overview of the program and what PREGCHECK™ certification means for producers
- List of current vets who are accredited
- Downloadable PDF resources: the PREGCHECK™ Factsheet and a Dairy Case Study — suitable for sharing with clients
- Download of Pregnancy Diagnosis in Cattle — 3rd Edition, the foundational reference text for the Program (previously available only in hard copy)
- Links to become an Accredited Tester or Approved Examiner
- Public certificate verification: producers can search any certificate number at www.pregcheck.com.au to confirm validity of certificates associated with sale lots
- Information on advertising PREGCHECK™-certified cattle on AuctionsPlus
What’s in the ACV Member Area (Accredited Members)
Once logged in as an ACV member (All Access tier required for full program access), the member area provides:
- Access to the PREGCHECK™ and BULLCHECK accreditation programs
- The full Version 3.0 PREGCHECK™ Program Rules document
- A How-to webinar for the use of web-based certificates — see below
- The Pregnancy Diagnosis Logbook for logging examination numbers towards initial accreditation
- The Approved Examiner register
- Links to AVA My Learning (the LMS for theory exams, annual returns, and audit submissions)
Membership Tier Note
PREGCHECK™ and BULLCHECK program access — including the how-to videos and clinical tools — is available to veterinarian All Access members only. Flexi and Connected members can access SIG community features, webinars, and journals, but not the accreditation programs.
If you’re an accredited tester but can’t see the member resources, check your membership tier at ava.com.au/membership or contact the AVA Members Team on 1300 137 309.
How-To Video: Using the Web-Based Certificate System
A webinar is now embedded in the ACV member area specifically covering the use of the PREGCHECK™ digital certificate platform at www.pregcheck.com.au. This video walks through the end-to-end workflow for issuing certificates crush-side and managing records online.
Key topics covered include:
- Logging in to pregcheck.com.au and navigating the dashboard
- Setting up a new mob / examination event
- Entering individual animal results using NLIS EID (RFID scanner) or NLIS VID
- Applying pregnancy diagnosis categories (O4 PREG, U4 PREG, NDP, NDPPathology) and recording foetal age in weeks
- Generating and issuing a digital PREGCHECK™ certificate to the producer
- Adding comments and pathology notes at the individual animal level
- How producers verify a certificate at pregcheck.com.au
- Downloading and storing certificates for your two-year retention obligation
To access the videos, log in at ava.com.au, navigate to Community → Special Interest Groups → Cattle → PREGCHECK, and look for the member-only resources panel. The video is embedded directly on the page — no separate download required.