Information for foreign-trained veterinarians
(3114) Verified: 2008 07 31
Information on requirements to practise
The veterinary profession is regulated in Canada, which means that legislative authority to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine is the responsibility of the provincial veterinary licensing bodies, and no one can practise the profession or use the title "veterinarian" without being licensed by one of the provincial associations.
Provincial associations of veterinary medicine are responsible for setting the standards for entry into the profession and for issuing licences to those who meet established standards of qualifications and practice. While the general requirements to obtain a licence are similar, specific requirements (including examination requirements) differ from province to province. Once you know where you will settle and work, you should contact the appropriate regulatory body for information on licensing procedures (see list below).
The national organization is the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- 339 Booth St.
- Ottawa ON K1R 7K1 Canada
- Phone : 613-236-1162
- Fax : 613-236-9681
- Email : admin@cvma-acmv.org
- http://canadianveterinarians.net/
The CVMA established the National Examining Board (NEB) to administer the NEB veterinary licensing exams, which measure entry-level competence in the theory and practice of veterinary medicine. Graduates of non-accredited veterinary school must successfully complete three exams to be granted a Certificate of Qualification. A passing score on the exams or the Certificate is a prerequisite for licensure in all provinces.
To become a candidate of the NEB, you need the application package, available for a fee of $15 CDN from the NEB at the postal or e-mail address above. Include your name and address along with a cheque or money order payable to CVMA, or provide a Visa or Master Card account number with expiry date.
Information on assessment of qualifications
On behalf of some of the provincial licensing bodies, the NEB reviews and evaluates the credentials of graduates of non-Canadian colleges of veterinary medicine who wish to obtain licensure to practise veterinary medicine in Canada. Please note that the process to review foreign credentials is used only to determine your eligibility to write the examination; it does not guarantee recognition of your credentials for purposes of employment or licensure/certification in Canada.
You may also consult our Fact Sheet No. 2, which has been compiled to help individuals learn more about how to obtain an assessment of their qualifications for employment purposes in Canada.
Other relevant information
For a general description of duties and employment requirements, you can refer to the information prepared by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada regarding:
Specific Provincial/Territorial Information
List of regulatory associations
Alberta
- Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- #950 Weber Centre, 5555 Calgary Trail South
- Edmonton AB T6H 5P9 Canada
- Phone : 780-489-5007
- Fax : 780-484-8311
- Email : avma@avma.ab.ca
- http://www.avma.ab.ca/
British Columbia
- British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association (BCVMA)
- 107 - 828 Harbourside Drive
- North Vancouver BC V7P 3R9 Canada
- Phone : 604-929-7090
- Phone (alternate): 1-800-463-5399
- Fax : 604-929-7095
- Email : info@bcvma.org
- http://www.bcvma.org/
Manitoba
- Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA)
- 6014 Roblin Blvd.
- Winnipeg MB R3R 0H4 Canada
- Phone : 204-832-1276
- Phone (alternate): 1-866-338-6862
- Fax : 204-832-1382
- Email : jseguire@mvma.ca
- http://www.mvma.ca/
New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association (NBVMA)
- 1700 Manawagonish Road
- Saint John NB E2M 3Y5 Canada
- Phone : (506) 635-8100
- Fax : (506) 635-2903
- Email : nbvma@rogers.com
- http://www.nbvma-amvnb.ca/main_e.htm
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland and Labrador Veterinary Licensing Board (NLVLB)
- Box 718
- Carbonear NL A1Y 1C2 Canada
- Phone : 709-597-4117
- Fax : 709-596-1506
- Email : nlvetcollege@gmail.com
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association (NSVMA)
- 15 Cobequid Road
- Lower Sackville NS B4C 2M9 Canada
- Phone : 902-865-1876
- Fax : 902-865-2001
- Email : info@nsvma.ca
- http://www.nsvma.ca/
Ontario
- College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO)
- 2106 Gordon Street
- Guelph ON N1L 1G6 Canada
- Phone : 519-824-5600
- Phone (alternate): 1-800-424-2856
- Fax : 519-824-6497
- Fax (alternate): 1-888-662-9479
- Email : inquiries@cvo.org
- http://www.cvo.org/
Prince Edward Island
- Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medical Association (PEIVMA)
- The Farm Centre Building, 420 University Avenue
- Charlottetown PE C1A 7Z5 Canada
- Phone : 902-367-3757
- Fax : 902-838-5077
- Email : admin@peivma.com
- http://www.peivma.com/
Quebec
- Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (OMVQ)
- 800, avenue Ste-Anne, bureau 200
- Saint-Hyacinthe QC J2S 5G7 Canada
- Phone : 450-774-1427
- Phone (alternate): 1-800-267-1427
- Fax : 450-774-7635
- Email : info@omvq.qc.ca
- http://www.omvq.qc.ca/
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA)
- 108 Research Drive, Unit 102
- Saskatoon SK S7N 3R3 Canada
- Phone : 306-955-7862
- Fax : 306-975-0623
- Email : svma@svma.sk.ca
- http://www.svma.sk.ca/