Licensing laws are in place to protect the public and are based on two beliefs:

1. It takes special knowledge and skills to practice a profession.
2. The public needs protection from incompetent or unethical practitioners.

Licensing boards are tasked with regulating the practice of veterinary medicine in their jurisdictions in order to protect the welfare of the public. Regulators ensure those entering the practice of veterinary medicine meet a minimum standard of practice by being properly educated, qualified, and are fit to be licensed. This includes both initial licensure after graduating from an AVMA-accredited program and ensuring they receive adequate continuing education and up-to-date additional training throughout their careers. Regulators also set forth policies on how clinics and hospitals should be set up. Regulators will also investigate complaints against veterinarians, vet techs, or facilities.

Ultimately, licensing boards are about one thing: protecting the public.

To search for contact information for veterinary and veterinary technician regulatory agencies and other allied groups, first select Veterinary or Veterinary Technician and then use the dropdown arrow to select the agency. The information will display below the dropdown.

The AAVSB is an association of veterinary medicine regulatory boards whose membership includes licensing bodies in 63 jurisdictions, including all of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and ten Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

The AAVSB exists to ease the burden of these regulators, through numerous programs and services, and to help them in their ultimate mission of public protection.