Licensure
Status: The Transition Council has unanimously approved the proposed regulatory concepts in the area of Licensure. These regulatory concepts focus on licensure, professional misconduct, and conflict of interest.
Replay from Transition Council: A replay of the Transition Council's discussions and decisions from the May 14, 2025 meeting is available below. The proposed regulatory concepts under "Licensure" include: Licensure, Professional Misconduct, and Conflict of Interest.
Licensure
One of the fundamental roles of the College is to review applicants for licensure to determine their suitability to practise veterinary medicine in Ontario. Currently, veterinarians are licensed under the Veterinarians Act, under a licensure structure established in 1990. Although our approach to licensure has been advanced through policy, the College currently has limited ability to enhance its licensure program to reflect evolution in the practice of veterinary medicine. As a result, the Registration Committee manages certain licensure requirements on a case-by-case basis for the different types of applicants seeking to practise in Ontario.
Since 1993, veterinary technicians who meet academic and experience requirements are registered through the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. Though not equivalent to a professional licence, registration tells the public an individual possesses the skills, knowledge, and judgement to safely practise as a veterinary technician.
Under the Veterinary Professionals Act, veterinarians and veterinary technicians will be licensed professionals and members of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.
The proposed regulatory concept on licensure, approved by the Transition Council at its May meeting, includes the following:
- applicant requirements and licensure types (general, provisional, and short-term licences for veterinarians and veterinary technicians)
- transfer requirements for veterinarians licensed under the Veterinarians Act to be licensed through the Veterinary Professionals Act, including a requirement to complete a learning module related to the Veterinary Professionals Act
- licensing requirements for veterinary technicians currently registered with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians to apply for licensure with the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario, including a requirement to complete a learning module related to the Veterinary Professionals Act
Learn more about the regulatory concept on Licensure
Professional Misconduct
Outlining the activities and behaviours that constitute professional misconduct is a fundamental role of any professional regulatory body and is essential to ensuring the College’s ability to address and mitigate practice concerns as they arise.
The Veterinary Professionals Act requires updates to the current professional misconduct provisions found under the Veterinarians Act. The one profession, two professionals model will see professional misconduct rules applying to veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
The proposed regulatory concept on professional misconduct, approved by the Transition Council at its May meeting, includes the following:
- veterinarians and veterinary technicians as members and specifies the types of professional misconduct applicable to each member
- clear and transparent language on professional misconduct
- expectation that members practise within their sphere of competence
- incorporates the authorized activities model
- recognizes the introduction of a mandatory quality assurance program
- identifies and addresses ungovernable behaviour
- recognizes any form of animal abuse or neglect constitutes professional misconduct
Learn more about the regulatory concept on Professional Misconduct
Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest arises when a member’s duties and responsibilities as a veterinary professional may be influenced by some other interest the member has, usually a personal or financial interest. A conflict of interest can be real, perceived, or potential. The test for a conflict of interest is not only whether the member believes that such an interest may affect their professional judgement but also the perception of a reasonable person aware of the circumstances.
The proposed regulatory concept on conflict of interest, approved by the Transition Council at its May meeting, includes the following:
- focus on behaviours that may qualify as real or potential conflicts of interest to allow for consistent application across all sectors
- a member must determine whether an interest may affect their professional judgement or may create a reasonable perception that their professional judgement has been influenced and take steps to avoid or
manage the conflict.