Licensure FAQs
How do I update my work information and/or home address?
If your address changes, you are required to notify the College in writing within 30 days of any change. The College must have your current home address, all practice addresses and email address on file. Only your primary practice will appear on the Public Register. To submit an address change, please login into the Professional Practice Portal.
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How do I renew my licence with the College?
Licensed members can expect to receive their Annual Licence Renewal information early in October. The deadline for the annual licence renewal is November 30th each year for submission of information and fees.
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What are the fees for licensure in Ontario?
Please refer to the Licence Fees page.
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How do I notify the College that I am now a board certified specialist?
The Public Register identifies all members who are specialists (those who hold certification with one of the American Board of Veterinary Specialists). To add this information to the Public Register, please contact the College so the designation can be verified either by viewing the original board certification or a notarized copy.
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How do I request access to my record or to information that the College has related to me?
Licensed members can request access to their records by submitting a written request, with contact information and information to identify themselves, to the Registrar, College of Veterinarians of Ontario at inquiries@cvo.org or by regular mail to 2-71 Hanlon Creek Blvd., Guelph, Ontario N1C 0B1.
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How is access to records or information provided?
A licensed members is permitted to review the file in person at the College office, or copies can be sent to her/him, as appropriate. Occasionally, licensed members request that certain documents in their file be forwarded to another licensing body, and responses to those requests are honoured (within 1-2 days) at no charge. Please visit the College's Privacy Code for further details.
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How long does the College retain licensed member records?
The College’s Retention Schedule specifies that licensed member records be kept indefinitely in an electronic format.
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Why would access to my records be limited or refused?
An access to records request would rarely be limited or refused. This may occur when something in the record is considered to be a safety risk to the licensed member or another person if released. Legal advice specific to an application is, however, privileged, and would likely not be released to the licensed member.
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When can I refer to myself as a specialist?
From time to time, the term specialist gets defined in practice differently than intended. A veterinarian in Ontario cannot use the term specialist unless he or she is Board-certified in a specialty recognized by the AVMA.
To describe oneself as a specialist, when one is not, is considered professional misconduct. The term specialist is reserved for specialists who are certified by a recognized veterinary specialty organization approved by the AVMA. Stating one “has a specialty in…” is considered to be claiming specialist status. The same applies to the use of discipline-specific specialty terms such as radiologist, surgeon, and pathologist.
Different than a specialty designation, a veterinarian who has a practice focus in a specific area is able to communicate this focus by stating they have
- an interest in ...
- additional education in ...
- a specific focus on ...
Public clarity in advertising and communication is essential. The public deserves to make an informed choice in all circumstances related to their animal(s)
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If I don’t hold an active licence with the College can I still refer to myself as a veterinarian?
If you hold a current valid licence with the College, you can use the prefix Dr. and use the official title of veterinarian. If you do not hold a current valid licence with the College, you are able to use the post-nominal letters earned with the degree in veterinary medicine that was awarded to you (ex. DVM, BVSc).
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