College Connection Summer 2025

ISSN 2370-5965 | Summer 2025 LIMITED LICENSURE

Legacy Council approves new licensure path for internationally educated vets

Internationally educated veterinarians will soon be able to access a licence limited to their areas of competence in Ontario, following a decision by the Legacy Council.

“ Limited licensure is an exciting approach which enables us to assess internationally educated veterinarians and provide them with a licence limited to areas where they demonstrate competency. This licensure opportunity will also improve the public’ s access to veterinary care in Ontario,” said Dr. Jessica Retterath, CVO President.

Traditionally, licensure pathways require applicants to demonstrate competency across multiple species. This approach has been a barrier for internationally educated veterinarians who may have more focused education or work experience. In June, the Legacy Council unanimously approved limited licensure as a new option in Ontario. The CVO is working towards implementing the new pathway in the months ahead.

The CVO worked with partners across North America to establish the North American Essential Competency Profile, which defines competencies necessary for the delivery of safe, quality veterinary medicine. That information has been key to the limited licensure model.

The College also collaborated with veterinary regulators across Canada to develop new competency assessment tools that will permit experienced, internationally educated veterinarians to seek a limited licence in equine, production animal, or companion animal practice. The assessment tools were piloted in 2024 in Ontario and Alberta and the research concluded limited licensure is valid and viable as a competency-based assessment model. Each provincial veterinary regulator is being asked to consider adopting limited licensure as a new pathway to the veterinary workforce.

Transition Council now working on CVPO by-laws

By-Laws lay the foundation for how an organization functions. The Transition Council is currently working on the development of the By-Laws for the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario( CVPO). At its meeting on June 13, the Transition Council began its work on By-Law concepts and will continue at its August meeting.

Visit cvo. org to stay informed on the by-laws, the proposed regulations and ongoing work to support the establishment of the CVPO.

cvo. org / modernization

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