Apply for a full Certificate of Competence to slaughter or kill animals
Apply for a full Certificate of Competence to slaughter or kill animals under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) regulations.
Applies to England and Wales
You can use this form to apply to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to:
- get a full Certificate of Competence (CoC) under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) regulations
- add operations or a type of animal to your existing full CoC
Before you apply
Read the guidance on applying for a certificate of competence to slaughter or kill animals.
To apply for a full CoC or to amend an existing full CoC, you need:
- to know the activity code for the type of animal and operation you are applying for
- an electronic copy of your qualification certificate to prove you are qualified to perform each operation and work with each type of animal your CoC will cover
- your CoC ID number (the FSA would have assigned this to you when you first applied for a temporary CoC or when they issued your full CoC)
If you do not know your CoC ID number, email the FSA WATOK team: watok@food.gov.uk.
Photo for your CoC card
If you’re applying for your first full CoC, you must upload a portrait photo. Your photo must:
- show your head and shoulders facing forward
- be taken against a plain, light-coloured background
- clearly show your face
- be between 50KB and 10MB in size
- be in JPEG, JPG, PNG or HEIC format
The FSA will reject your application if your face is not clearly visible in the photo.
Offences and licensing history
If you have been convicted of an animal welfare offence, you must tell us:
- which law you broke
- what penalty you received (including any restriction or disqualification orders, with details of their start and end dates)
- when were you convicted of the offences
If you have been refused a licence or a CoC to kill an animal or carry out a related operation. You must tell us:
- why it was refused
- when it was refused
If your licence or a CoC to kill an animal or carry out a related operation has been suspended or revoked (cancelled). You must tell us:
- why was it suspended or revoked
- when was it suspended or revoked
- which authority suspended or revoked it
Paying for your CoC
You or your employer must arrange to pay the Food Standards Agency (FSA) once you’ve submitted your application:
- £25 to issue your first CoC
- £8 to amend or replace an existing CoC
The FSA accepts:
- cheque
- debit or credit card
- bank transfer (BACS)
The FSA will not issue your full CoC until they receive payment.
Pay by cheque
Make your cheque payable to the Food Standards Agency and write your CoC ID number on the back.
If you’re paying for multiple Certificates of Competence (CoCs), include a list of the applicants’ names and CoC ID numbers with the cheque.
Send your cheque to:
WATOK CoC CSU
Food Standards Agency
Room 112, Foss House
Peasholme Green
York
YO1 7PR
Pay by debit or credit card
To pay by debit or credit card, call 0330 088 0633.
Tell the operator you want to pay for a Certificate of Competence. They will ask for:
- your name
- your date of birth
- your CoC ID number
- the amount you need to pay
Pay by bank transfer (BACS)
Use the following details to make a BACS payment:
- Account name: Food Standards Agency
- Account number: 10001441
- Sort code: 60-70-80
- IBAN: GB43NWBK60708010001441
- SWIFT: NWBKGB2L
For your payment reference, use this format:
[your name] / [your establishment approval number] / [your CoC ID number]
If you need help with applying for a full CoC or replacing a lost CoC, you can contact the FSA WATOK team by:
- email: watok@food.gov.uk
- calling:0330 332 7149
Other ways to apply
You can also apply by post or email. Fill in the form and send it to the postal address or email address within the form.