In Canada, legislative authority to regulate the practice of professions and trades is a provincial responsibility. In each province, a licensing body is established by statute. Licensing for veterinary medicine is the responsibility of the provincial veterinary association or a separate licensing body empowered by provincial legislation. While the general requirements to obtain a licence to practice veterinary medicine are similar, specific requirements, including examination requirements, differ from province to province. Individuals intending to apply for a license must correspond directly with the registrar of the licensing body of the province in which they wish to practice, in order to determine the relevant requirements.
The addresses of the licensing bodies in each of the ten provinces are found in Appendix D.
B. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is the national organisation of veterinarians in Canada. Membership in the CVMA is voluntary and is open to all veterinarians who are licensed to practice in any province. The CVMA acts as a forum on national veterinary issues and provides many services to veterinarians across Canada, including a national practice insurance plan, public relations, two scientific and professional journals and the operation of the National Examining Board (see subsection C below).
It should be noted that the CVMA does not have power to license or discipline veterinarians. These powers are the exclusive right of the provincial licensing bodies.
The office of the CVMA is located at 339 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, KlR 7K1, telephone number (613) 236-1162, FAX number (613) 236-9681.
C. The National Examining Board (NEB)
The National Examining Board (NEB) is a body established by the CVMA to administer the NEB veterinary medicine examination process. The NEB also recognizes certified specialists in selected disciplines of veterinary medicine, and participates with the Council on Education (COE) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in a program of accreditation of colleges of veterinary medicine. This accreditation program consists of annual evaluations and regular on-site inspection of the colleges to ensure that they meet the standards established by the COE.
In addition, on behalf of some of the provincial licensing bodies, the NEB reviews and evaluates credentials of graduates of non-Canadian colleges of veterinary medicine who wish to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in Canada. Like the CVMA, however, theNEBdoes not have power to license or discipline veterinarians.
D. The CVMA Certificate of Qualification
Candidates who successfully complete the NEB Examination are granted a Certificate of Qualification (CQ). Successful completion of the NEB Examination or receipt of a Certificate of Qualification is a prerequisite to apply for a general license to practice from any of the provincial veterinary licensing bodies of Canada.
Moreover, the licensing authority in any province may require further examinations in addition to or in lieu of those required to obtain a CQ. Applicants are reminded to consult with the licensing body in the province in which they wish to seek a license regarding applicable requirements. Applicants should also note that proof of graduation must be received by theNEBbefore a CQ will be issued.
E. Employment as a Veterinarian in Canada
The CVMA does not undertake to provide information on employment as a veterinarian in Canada or to act as an employment service. Individuals seeking employment are advised to review the classified section of the Canadian Veterinary Journal. In addition, most provincial associations publish a newsletter which contains advertisements for employment opportunities. In most cases, these newsletters can be obtained by writing to the provincial associations. Individuals who may be considering coming to Canada from another country and seeking employment as a veterinarian are advised that employment opportunities vary according to the type of practice in which the individual is interested and the specific region in Canada in which the individual wishes to locate. The CVMA and the NEB are not able to provide assurance of employment in Canada.