Accreditation Process - Renewal, Changes, Closure

The Accreditation Program has resumed normal operations and onsite facility inspections. Disruptions during the pandemic have resulted in a high volume of facility inspections at this time and staff appreciate your understanding as we manage the backlog. Contact accreditation@cvo.org.

A Guide to the Accreditation Process explains the need for facilities to demonstrate compliance with the Minimum Standards for Veterinary Facilities in Ontario, as well as the procedures for the College with respect to the accreditation of facilities.

Improved and Efficient On-Line Services Now Available

Visit www.cvo.org/portal to access online services. (You will need to know your username and password to access the Professional Practice Portal.)

I am...

• Renewing the accreditation on my practice
• Relocating my practice
• Purchasing an existing practice
• Adding or changing a category for my practice
• Changing the directorship of my practice
• Changing the name of a practice
• Closing my facility

Renewing the accreditation on my practice

A letter and email will be sent to the facility director 3 months in advance of the expiry date of the Certificate of Accreditation. Upon receipt of the notification, log into the Professional Practice Portal.

• Click on Forms and Applications
• Click on Facility Accreditation
• Click on Renewal of Certificate of Accreditation
• Select a Practice from the drop down list.
• Complete and submit the form.  The form and inspection fee must be paid before an inspection will be scheduled. Complete this early to ensure that the Certificate of Accreditation does not expire.

The Accreditation Inspector will send an email with the date and time of the inspection. Please Note: Inspectors’ are generally booking 3 weeks in advance.

Relocating my practice

Ontario’s veterinary facilities are inspected after the practice has moved. The practice does not need to close prior to the inspection being scheduled.

• Log into the Professional Practice Portal
• Click on Forms and Applications
• Click on Facility Accreditation
• Click on Change of Information for Accredited Facility
• Select a Practice from the drop down list.
• Verify Information and at the bottom of the page click on Relocation.
• Complete and submit the form.
• The inspection fee must be paid before an inspection will be scheduled.

The Accreditation Inspector will send an email with the date and time of the inspection. Please Note: Inspectors’ are generally booking 3 weeks in advance.

Purchasing an existing practice

Ontario’s veterinary facilities are inspected when there is a change in ownership due to purchasing an existing practice.

In addition, the facility purchaser is required to contact the Ministry of Labour, Radiation Protection Services at 416-235-5922 to let the Ministry know of a change in ownership of the facility's x-ray machine.

The practice may continue operation, business as usual, during the ownership change with no need to close the facility.

• Log into the Professional Practice Portal
• Click on Forms and Applications
• Click on Facility Accreditation
• Click on Application to Purchase a Facility
• Select a Practice from the drop down list.
• Complete and submit the form
• The inspection fee must be paid before an inspection will be scheduled.

The Accreditation Inspector will send an email with the date and time of the inspection. Please Note: Inspectors’ are generally booking 3 weeks in advance.

Adding or changing a category for my practice

The addition of a facility type or change to a facility type requires an inspection. The facility which is being added or changed, may not be used until the inspection has been completed.

• Log into the Professional Practice Portal
• Click on Forms and Applications
• Click on Facility Accreditation
• Click on Change of Information for Accredited Facility
• Select a Practice from the drop down list.
• Verify Information and at the bottom of the page click on Updates to Facility Type.
• If you wish to change the facility type: click on Edit, Select the new category type and put in today’s date in the Discontinued Date
• If you wish to add a facility type: click on Add New and Select the new category
• Complete and submit the form.
• The inspection fee must be paid before an inspection will be scheduled.

The Accreditation Inspector will send an email with the date and time of the inspection. Please Note: Inspectors’ are generally booking 3 weeks in advance.

Changing the directorship of my practice

• Complete and submit the form Notification of Change of Facility Director of an Accredited Facility. There is no fee.

A change in director does not require an inspection.

Changing the name of a practice

Once you have submitted your facility name change, this new facility name will now appear on the Public Register.  By submitting this change to the name of a facility, you are confirming that the previous name has ceased to exist to prevent confusion to the public. This includes ensuring that  all advertising, marketing materials, social media, signage, receipts, medical records, consent forms, stationary etc. reflect this new facility name. There is no fee for the submission of a facility name change and an inspection is not required.

• Log into the Professional Practice Portal
• Click on Forms and Applications
• Click on Facility Accreditation
• Click on Submission of Facility Name Change form – complete and submit the form.  

​Changes to Ownership of my practice 

• Log into the Professional Practice Portal
• Click on Forms and Applications
• Click on Facility Accreditation
• Click on Change of Information for Accredited Facility
• Select a Practice from the drop down list.
• Verify Information and at the bottom of the page click on Updates to Owners
• Complete and submit the form.

Closing my facility

The College must be notified if a veterinary facility is closing. If you are planning to close a facility, you are asked to inform the College and make appropriate arrangements for the medical records.

• Log into the Professional Practice Portal
• Click on Forms and Applications
• Click on Facility Accreditation
• Click on Change of Information for Accredited Facility
• Select a Practice from the drop down list.
• Verify Information and at the bottom of the page click on Practice Closure
• Complete and submit the form.

Procedure to Close a Practice

• Notify College by completing the Notification of Facility Closure form.
• Notify clients, within a reasonable time, of closure.
• Provide clients with instruction on how to access their medical records.
• Veterinarians are required to retain medical records for a period of two years after the date of closure or ceases to practice veterinary medicine
• Contact Ministry of Labour, Radiation Protection Services to advice of closure regarding X-ray registration
• For controlled drugs contact Office of Controlled Substances.
• Other unopened drugs can be sent back to manufacturer.
• Disposal of expired drugs – contact local pharmacy for proper disposal instructions
• Discontinue social media.