Animal Caregiver Level 3 is today's highest level in animal care and is based on exceptions where you work under the responsibility of a veterinarian. Approved animal caregiver is a planned professional role that will be introduced from 2030 and will become part of the animal health staff with their own professional responsibility and clearer regulation.
What is animal caretaker level 3?
Animal Caregiver Level 3 is today the most advanced level of animal care in Sweden. The role makes it possible to work with advanced aspects of animal care, but always under the responsibility of the veterinarian and through special exceptions in the regulations.
Examples of tasks:
- Monitor anesthesia
- Give certain medications
- Intubating and extubating animals
- Assist in operations
It is important to understand that animal caretaker level 3 is not a licensed professional role, but a regulated job function under veterinarian.
What is a certified animal caretaker?
Approved animal caretaker is a new professional role that the Swedish Board of Agriculture plans to introduce from September 1, 2030.
The aim is to replace the current level system with a more long-term and legally clear professional structure.
A certified animal caretaker will:
- Be included in animal health personnel
- Have your own professional responsibility
- Be under state supervision
- Have a clearer and more permanent professional role
The main difference (summary)
| Animal Caregiver Level 3 | Approved animal caretaker |
|---|---|
| Works under the veterinarian's responsibility | Have own professional responsibility |
| Exceptions in current legislation | Regulated professional role in law |
| Temporary structure | Long-term professional model |
| Not animal health personnel | Belongs to the animal health staff |
The biggest difference is therefore legal status and responsibility, not just tasks.
What has been decided today?
The following is established or clearly communicated:
- The deadline of December 31, 2026 for animal caretakers level 3 has been removed (SJVFS 2026:14, from August 1, 2026)
- Approved animal caretaker planned to be introduced in 2030
- Current level system will be phased out
- A transitional model is being discussed in a consultation
- Animal health personnel to be restructured
What hasn't been decided yet?
There are still important questions that are not finished:
- Exact training requirements (hours, content, etc.)
- Exact duties for a certified animal caretaker
- How the transition from level 3 will work in detail
- How experience should be validated
This means that a lot can still change before 2030.
What happens to animal caretakers level 3 after 2026?
The Swedish Board of Agriculture has removed the time limit that would have stopped level 3 from euthanizing pets after December 31, 2026. Level 3 animal caretakers who have completed the full 80-hour course (Appendix 5) are therefore allowed to continue working as they do today.
According to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the aim is not to make the exemption permanent, but to create a smooth transition until the system of approved animal caretakers is introduced in 2030. How level 3 will be fitted into the new system has not yet been determined.
Are there training requirements (e.g. 80 hours)?
For animal caretaker level 3 the requirement is clear: a basic course in anesthesia and pain relief of at least 80 hours according to Appendix 5, plus at least three years of experience as a level 2 animal caretaker. What is not clear is the requirements for approved animal caretaker from 2030.
There have been reports and discussions about different training scopes, including the number of hours.
But:
The Swedish Board of Agriculture has not yet established exact training requirements for approved animal caretakers.
This means that the training requirements are still under investigation and may change before implementation.
FAQ
What is the difference between animal caretaker level 3 and approved animal caretaker?
Level 3 works under the responsibility of the veterinarian, while approved animal caretaker becomes a regulated professional role with its own professional responsibilities.
When will approved animal caretakers be introduced?
Planned implementation is September 1, 2030.
Are level 3 animal caretakers disappearing?
Not at the turn of the year 2026/2027 – the time limit has been removed. In the long term, the level system will be replaced by approved animal care, but how the transition will be has not yet been decided.
Do you have to retrain?
It is not yet clear how the transition will work for today's Level 3 animal caretakers.
Can you still become a level 3 animal caretaker?
Yes. If you have at least three years of experience as a level 2 animal caretaker, you can take the full 80-hour course. Vetmigo's next course starts January 21, 2027.
Summary
The difference between level 3 animal caretaker and approved animal caretaker is mainly about legal status, responsibilities and future professional structure.
Animal caretaker level 3 is today's temporary system, while approved animal caretaker is a planned permanent professional role within animal health personnel from 2030.
More reading – What applies to animal caretakers level 3 after 2026
Do you want to become a level 3 animal caretaker? Read about our course in anesthesia and analgesia for dogs and cats
Registration open for the next course starting January 2027 – https://vetmigo.se/narkosutbildning-djurvardare-2027/