Policy Statement
Published: June 2016
Introduction
The Veterinarians Act specifically exempts undergraduate students enrolled in the DVM program at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), and only at the OVC, from the need to be licensed with the College for the duration of their program. The provision permits them to participate actively in externships and other clinical activities under appropriate supervision, both on campus during coursework and in clinical practice placements in Ontario when they are placed in elective rotations or in externships.
Several other AVMA-COE accredited veterinary programs allow their veterinary students to complete clinical rotations in Ontario, yet these students are not exempted in the Act from the requirement for licensure. The College believes that the intent of the legislation is to facilitate the learning process for students enrolled in an accredited veterinary medical undergraduate program, permitting them to practise for the purposes of completing their program under appropriate supervision.
Policy
The College will permit clinical-placement students from non-OVC programs to work under supervision1 in Ontario practices without requiring licensure, if the following conditions are met:
The Dean of the AVMA-COE accredited veterinary college program has provided a letter confirming that
the student is actively enrolled2 in the DVM veterinary program, and
the DVM veterinary program has procedures in place for monitoring the student’s performance throughout the clinical placement; and
An undertaking between the College and a supervising veterinarian in Ontario has been submitted to the College before the placement begins, and has been signed by a licensee of the College who is
in good standing;
holds a General Licence;
is willing to supervise the student; and
is acceptable to the Registrar.
Authority
This policy addresses a legislative gap that has been added to the list of items for consideration under the strategic key objective for 2014-2017, “Modernization of the Legislation.”
College publications contain practice parameters and standards which should be considered by all Ontario veterinarians in the care of their patients and in the practice of the profession. College publications are developed in consultation with the profession and describe current professional expectations. It is important to note that these College publications may be used by the College or other bodies in determining whether appropriate standards of practice and professional responsibilities have been maintained. The College encourages you to refer to the website (www.cvo.org) to ensure you are referring to the most recent version of any document.
College publications contain practice parameters and standards which should be considered by all Ontario veterinarians in the care of their patients and in the practice of the profession. College publications are developed in consultation with the profession and describe current professional expectations. It is important to note that these College publications may be used by the College or other bodies in determining whether appropriate standards of practice and professional responsibilities have been maintained. The College encourages you to refer to the website (www.cvo.org) to ensure you are referring to the most recent version of any document.