It could be awarded to part-time ratings in the United Kingdom's Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve after twelve years of service and good conduct.

[1][2][3][4] The medal could also be awarded to part-time ratings in the Naval Volunteer Reserves of Dominion and Colonial Auxiliary Forces throughout the British Empire.

[2][11] The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service Medal was instituted in 1908 as a long service award for part-time ratings of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, Colonies and India.

", was added to the group in 1919, a clasp to recognise further periods of long service in respect of all three medals was authorised in an Admiralty Fleet Order.

The medal could be awarded to part-time Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve ratings after twelve years of efficient service, not necessarily continuous.

In the order of wear prescribed by the British Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal takes precedence after the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and before the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

[1] The reverse depicts a starboard broadside view of HMS Dreadnought, the Royal Navy battleship which entered service in 1906.

[1][14][18] New Zealand continues to award the medal as the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, instituted by Royal Warrant of 6 May 1985, for fifteen years of accumulated service, during which the rating must have been rated as efficient in at least twelve.