Frequently Asked Questions

RVTs (and other qualified individuals) will be able to seek licensure as veterinary technician members with the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario (CVPO). Those licensed with the CVPO will be permitted to use the protected titles of veterinary technician or veterinary technologist. Those currently using the title RVT will be permitted to continue using it under the new statutory framework. Further, veterinary technician members will be permitted to practice veterinary medicine in three ways: under a veterinarian member’s delegation and supervision, under a veterinarian member’s order, or through their own initiation in specific circumstances.

Individuals who are not licensed, such as animal health technicians and veterinary assistants, will continue to work under a veterinarian member’s delegation and supervision.

Yes. A veterinary technician member will be able to own or co-own a veterinary facility and serve as the Holder of a Certificate of Accreditation. Veterinary facilities will continue to require a Veterinary Facility Director, who is currently required to be a veterinarian member of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

No. This is considered sub-delegation which will not be permitted by veterinary technician members under the Veterinary Professionals Act.
 

Yes. Under the Veterinary Professionals Act, a veterinarian member can delegate all delegable authorized activities to either a veterinary technician member or a non-member (i.e. auxiliary). The veterinarian member remains professionally responsible for the delegation and supervision of these tasks. The regulations, which are still in development, will outline which authorized activities will be considered non-delegable.

Authorized activities are a list of specific activities that constitute the practice of veterinary medicine when performed on an animal(s). They are listed in Schedule One of the Veterinary Professionals Act.

To understand the difference between delegation, orders, and initiation, please see the infographic developed by the College. Further details related to accountability and facility policies can be found within the proposed regulatory concept.

A list of authorized activities that veterinary technician members will be able to initiate will be developed in regulation based on the core competencies of veterinary technician education. For the list of proposed activities and more information on the concept of initiation, please see the proposed regulatory concept.
 

The College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario will oversee the licensing of  veterinary technician members. Individuals who wish to continue to practise under the title of veterinary technician or veterinary technologist (including those who currently hold the title RVT) will be required to hold a licence with College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

The College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario will offer a streamlined licensing process for those currently registered with the OAVT. This process will include completion of a jurisprudence module that is specific to the Veterinary Professionals Act. This will also be a requirement for currently licensed veterinarians. Veterinary technician members will be required to pay an annual licensure fee as well as an application fee, which will be specified in the By-Laws.

Yes. Individuals who possess the necessary education and examination background, but are not currently registered with the OAVT, will be able to apply to the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario for licensure

The licensure fees have not yet been established. The Transition Council will be developing By-Laws that will include the associated fees for both members. These proposed By-Laws will be circulated for public consultation

The earliest that the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario and the licensure of veterinary technicians will be in place is Fall 2026. Please know that this timeline is subject to change, and for updates on this process it is recommended that veterinary team members subscribe to College communications.

The Veterinary Professionals Act established the Transition Council and provides it with the ability to propose regulations, and determine by-laws and standards that will come into effect with the establishment of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

The Transition Council includes members of the CVO Council, now referenced as the Legacy Council, and three Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT), appointed by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians.

The Transition Council is working on regulatory concepts and by-laws for the new College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. Regulations, which will be finalized by the provincial government, offer more details on how the Act will be applied and implemented. The earliest the new model could be in effect is currently estimated to be Fall 2026.

During the period of transition, the CVO Legacy Council and its associated Committees will continue to deal with matters concerning licensed members and the operations of the CVO under the existing Act.

One of the key objectives of the Veterinary Professionals Act is to bring added efficiency to the complaints and resolutions process, The legislation includes new and updated procedures for investigations, addressing professional misconduct and a member’s fitness to practice. These changes have been designed to enable disputes to be addressed more quickly.

The Veterinary Professionals Act recognizes team-based care and acknowledges the roles of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Veterinary facilities that have already embraced team-based care will see little change under the new legislation. The biggest changes will come from the ability for veterinary technicians to work under a veterinarian’s order or through their own initiation and the increased autonomy that comes with these tools. Any shifts will be facility-based decisions and Veterinary Facility Directors will not be forced to use tools they do not want to use. Veterinary Facility Directors are encouraged to connect with the College about what may or may not work within their practice.

The Veterinary Professionals Act strengthens public protection and more accurately reflects current veterinary practice. The legislation:

• Licenses veterinary technicians.
• Recognizes team-based veterinary care and acknowledges the roles of veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
• Adds requirements for quality assurance programs similar to other regulated professions.
• Enables non-veterinarians to provide care to animals using lower-risk forms of treatment.
• Streamlines the complaints and resolutions process, enabling disputes to be addressed more quickly.
• Enables a greater amount of information about a licence holder to be collected, and where appropriate, posted on the public register.
• Ensures more public representation on the Council of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

Following proclamation of the Veterinary Professionals Act, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) will be renamed the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. This name has been designed to reflect the College’s new role in overseeing two categories of veterinary professionals within a single veterinary profession.

Following proclamation of the Veterinary Professionals Act, the licensure of veterinary technicians will be the responsibility of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians will continue its role in advocating for the professional interests of veterinary technicians.

The Veterinary Professionals Act provides an exciting, new framework for the regulation of the veterinary profession. Veterinary technicians and veterinary team members are encouraged to sign up to receive helpful e-mail updates around the work of the Transition Council, upcoming consultations, timelines, and opportunities. Sign up today!