Abstract: AN article in the last issue discussed the process of undertaking a postgraduate certificate within a university, as part of a residency programme ( In Practice , June 2002, pp 341‐344). In this article, Jacqui Molyneux, who opted to pursue an RCVS certificate in small animal surgery while working in practice, discusses the other side of the coin. A successful outcome was again the result, but certain aspects of the process and pressures are unique to the practice‐based route.