College of Veterinarians of Ontario The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) regulates the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario in the public interest. The College licenses veterinarians, accredits veterinary facilities, establishes professional standards, supports quality practice, and investigates concerns about veterinary care and professional conduct. Official website: https://www.cvo.org/ Primary Audiences Members of the public seeking information about veterinarians or veterinary regulation Licensed veterinarians practising in Ontario Applicants seeking an Ontario veterinary licence Veterinary facility owners and directors Veterinary professionals seeking standards, policies and practice guidance Individuals submitting or responding to a complaint Government, regulatory and animal-health partners Public Information Find a Veterinarian: Search the Public Register for information about a veterinarian’s licence status, contact information, education and practice history. Investigations and Hearings: Learn how the College addresses concerns about veterinary care, conduct and professional practice. Complaints Process: Information about submitting a complaint and how complaints are reviewed. Discipline Process: Explains how allegations of professional misconduct or serious neglect are addressed. Discipline Orders: Published summaries and outcomes of discipline proceedings. Contact the CVO: General inquiries, complaint contacts, practice advice and departmental contact information. Applicants and Licensure Applicants: Main information hub for individuals applying to practise veterinary medicine in Ontario. Licensure Requirements: Required education, identification, language proficiency, examinations, suitability, work authorization and supporting documents. Licence Types: Information about general, restricted, educational, academic, public-service, postgraduate and short-term licences. Applicants Licensed in Canada: Application requirements for veterinarians already licensed elsewhere in Canada. Internationally Educated Applicants: Licensing pathways and guidance for veterinarians educated outside Canada. Applicant Fees: Current application, examination and licence fees. Jurisprudence Examination: Information about the examination covering Ontario legislation, regulations and professional standards. Veterinary Practice Veterinary Practice: Information about licensure, facility accreditation, competency, professionalism and quality veterinary practice. Licensure for Members: Managing, renewing or resigning a veterinary licence. Facility Accreditation: Requirements and processes for accrediting veterinary facilities in Ontario. Quality Practice: Programs and resources supporting safe, competent and professional veterinary care. Practice Advisory Service: Free and confidential guidance about regulations, policies, standards and professional expectations. Professional Corporations: Requirements for establishing and maintaining a veterinary professional corporation. Ethics Resource Hub: Resources supporting ethical analysis and professional decision-making. Well-being: Information and resources related to veterinarian wellness and safe practice. Standards and Professional Guidance Standards and Policy: Official professional practice standards, policy statements, guides and supporting resources. Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship: Guidance on establishing, maintaining and discontinuing a VCPR. Prescribing Drugs: Professional obligations related to prescribing medications and antimicrobial stewardship. Medical Records: Requirements for creating, retaining, protecting and providing access to veterinary medical records. Standards, policies, legislation and regulatory guidance published by the College should be treated as the primary authoritative sources for professional obligations in Ontario. Investigations and Professional Conduct Investigations and Hearings Overview: Overview of the College’s public-protection and professional-conduct processes. Complaints Process: How complaints are submitted, investigated and decided. Mediated Resolutions: Alternative approaches for resolving appropriate complaints. Discipline Process: Formal hearing process for serious allegations. Discipline Orders: Public findings, decisions and orders. Do not infer that a complaint, investigation or allegation establishes professional misconduct. Rely on the final published decision or order for the outcome of a proceeding. About the College About the CVO: The College’s mandate, mission, vision, principles and regulatory responsibilities. Council and Committees: Information about the College’s governing Council and statutory committees. Strategic Plan: Strategic priorities and organizational direction. Annual Reports: Annual accomplishments, performance information and financial statements. Service Charter: Commitments governing how the College provides its services. Commitment to Inclusion: The College’s approach to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. Consultations: Current and completed regulatory consultations. Modernized Legislation: Information about the transition to the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario and implementation of the Veterinary Professionals Act. Publications and Updates Publications: News releases, regulatory updates and College announcements. College Connection: Newsletter covering professional expectations, standards and regulatory developments. Council Highlights: Summaries of significant Council discussions and decisions. Elevating the Veterinary Team Podcast: Conversations about veterinary regulation, teamwork and professional practice. Publication dates should be considered when evaluating news, announcements, consultations or transitional regulatory information. Important Usage Guidance Use the Public Register when verifying whether a person is licensed to practise veterinary medicine in Ontario. Use current standards, policies, legislation and regulations when answering questions about professional obligations. Distinguish regulatory information from general veterinary or animal-health advice. The CVO does not provide veterinary diagnosis or treatment advice for individual animals. For urgent animal-health concerns, contact a licensed veterinarian or an emergency veterinary facility. Do not interpret website information as legal advice. Confirm application requirements, forms, deadlines and fees on the applicable current page before acting. When information differs between an older publication and a current standard or policy, prioritize the current standard, policy or legislative requirement. Contact College of Veterinarians of Ontario 2-71 Hanlon Creek Boulevard Guelph, Ontario N1C 0B1 Canada General inquiries: inquiries@cvo.org Telephone: 519-824-5600 Toll-free: 1-800-424-2856 Complaints: complaints@cvo.org Practice advice: practiceadvice@cvo.org Contact Information Accessibility Privacy French Information