DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

9 CFR Parts 160, 161, and 162

[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0093] 

RIN 0579-AC04 

National Veterinary Accreditation Program 

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

PART 160—DEFINITION OF TERMS 

§ 160.1 Definitions. 

For the purposes of this subchapter the following words, phrases, names and terms shall be 

construed, respectively, to mean: 

Accredited veterinarian. A veterinarian approved by the Administrator in accordance with the 

provisions of part 161 of this subchapter to perform functions specified in subchapters B, C, and 

D of this chapter. 

Administrator. The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or any 

individual authorized to act for the Administrator. 

Animal, animals. All animals except humans, including but not limited to cattle, sheep, goats, 

other ruminants, swine, horses, asses, mules, zebras, birds, and poultry. 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 

United States Department of Agriculture. 

APHIS. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 

Approved digital signature. Digital signatures approved by the Administrator for electronic 

transmission, for example, via a computer. To be approved, a digital signature must be able to 

verify the identity of the accredited veterinarian signing the document and indicate if the 

integrity of the data in the signed document was compromised. 

Category I animals . Any animals other than Category II animals, e.g., cats and dogs. 

Category II animals . Food and fiber animal species; horses; birds; farm-raised aquatic animals; 

all other livestock species; and zoo animals that can transmit exotic animal diseases to livestock. 

Examine, examination. Physical study of an individual animal that enables an accredited 

veterinarian to determine if any abnormality in physical condition or bodily function is 

suggestive of clinical signs of communicable disease. 
Herd or flock health plan . A written herd or flock health management plan, which may include 

an agreement signed by the owner of a herd or flock, the accredited veterinarian, and a State or 

APHIS representative, in which each participant agrees to undertake actions specified in the 

agreement to maintain the health of the animals and detect signs of communicable disease. 

Inspect, inspection. Visual study of the physical appearance, physical condition, and behavior of 

animals (singly or in groups) that enables an accredited veterinarian to determine whether any 

abnormality in physical condition or bodily function is evident. 

Issue. The distribution, including electronic transmission, of an official animal health document 

that has been signed. 

Official certificate, form, record, report, tag, band, or other identification. Means any certificate, 

form, record, report, tag, band, or other identification, prescribed by statute or by regulations 

issued by the Administrator, for use by an accredited veterinarian performing official functions 

under this subchapter. 

Qualified accredited veterinarian (QAV). An accredited veterinarian who has been granted a 

program certification by the Administrator pursuant to §161.5 of this subchapter based on 

completion of an APHIS-approved orientation or training program. 

Regular health maintenance program. An arrangement between an accredited veterinarian and a 

livestock producer whereby the veterinarian inspects every animal on the premises of the 

producer at least once every 30 days. 

Sign, (Signed). For an accredited veterinarian to put his or her signature in his or her own hand, 

or by means of an approved digital signature, on a certificate, form, record, or report. No 

certificate, form, record, or report is signed if: 

(1) Someone other than the accredited veterinarian has signed it on behalf of or in the name of 

the accredited veterinarian, regardless of the authority granted them by the accredited 

veterinarian; or 

(2) If any mechanical device, other than an approved digital signature, has been used to affix the 

signature. 

State. Any State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the 

Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory or possession of the United States. 

State Animal Health Official. The State animal health official who is responsible for the livestock 

and poultry disease control and eradication programs of a State. 

Veterinarian-in-Charge. The veterinary official of APHIS who is assigned by the Administrator 

to supervise and perform the official work of APHIS in a State or group of States. 

PART 161—REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITED 

VETERINARIANS AND SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF SUCH 

ACCREDITATION 

§ 161.1 Statement of purpose; requirements and application procedures for accreditation. 

(a) This subchapter concerns a program administered by APHIS to accredit veterinarians and 

thereby authorize them to perform, on behalf of APHIS, certain activities specified in this 

chapter. This program is intended to ensure that an adequate number of qualified veterinarians 

are available in the United States to perform such activities. 

(b) Categories of accreditation . A veterinarian may be accredited as a Category I veterinarian or 

a Category II veterinarian. A veterinarian who is accredited under Category I is only authorized 
to perform accredited duties on Category I animals, as defined in §160.1. A veterinarian who is 

accredited under Category II is authorized to perform accredited duties on both Category I 

animals and Category II animals. 

(c) Application for initial accreditation . A veterinarian may apply for accreditation by 

completing an application for accreditation and submitting it to APHIS. In completing the 

application, the veterinarian will choose one of the accreditation activity categories, either 

Category I or Category II, as discussed in paragraph (b) of this section. Applications for 

Category I accreditation must include certification that the applicant is able to perform the tasks 

listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this section. Applications for Category II accreditation must include 

certification that the applicant is able to perform the tasks listed in paragraph (g)(2) of this 

section. An accredited veterinarian must not perform duties requiring a program certification 

unless he or she is accredited under Category II and qualified to perform such duties in 

accordance with §161.5 of this part. 

(d) Review of application . Applications for accreditation received by APHIS shall be forwarded 

to the State Animal Health Official for the State in which the veterinarian wishes to perform 

accredited duties for approval. Within 14 days after receiving an application, a State Animal 

Health Official shall either endorse the application or send a written statement to the 

Administrator explaining why it was not endorsed; but if the State Animal Health Official fails to 

take one of these actions within 14 days, APHIS shall proceed to review the application. The 

Administrator will review the application and the written statement, if any, and determine 

whether the applicant meets the requirements for accreditation contained in this part. 

(e) Accreditation requirements . The Administrator is hereby authorized to accredit a 

veterinarian when he or she determines that: 

(1) The veterinarian is a graduate with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine or an equivalent 

degree (any degree that qualifies the holder to be licensed by a State to practice veterinary 

medicine) from a college of veterinary medicine; 

(2) The veterinarian is licensed or legally able to practice veterinary medicine in the State in 

which the veterinarian wishes to perform accredited duties. APHIS will confirm the licensing 

status of the applicant by contacting the State board of veterinary medical examiners or any 

similar State organization that maintains records of veterinarians licensed in a State; 

(3) The veterinarian has completed initial accreditation training, using content provided by 

APHIS; and 

(4) The veterinarian has completed an orientation program approved by the Veterinarian-inCharge for the State in which the veterinarian wishes to perform accredited duties, and upon 

completion of the orientation, has signed a written statement listing the date and place of 

orientation, the subjects covered in the orientation, and any written materials provided to the 

veterinarian at the orientation. The Veterinarian-in-Charge shall also give the State Animal 

Health Official an opportunity to review the contents of the orientation, and invite him or her to 

participate in developing orientation materials and conducting the orientation. The veterinarian 

applying for accreditation must have completed the orientation program within 3 years prior to 

submitting the application for accreditation. The core orientation program shall include the 

following topics: 

(i) Federal animal health laws, regulations, and rules; 

(ii) Interstate movement requirements for animals; 

(iii) Import and export requirements for animals; 

(iv) USDA animal disease eradication and control programs; 
(v) Laboratory support in confirming disease diagnoses; 

(vi) Ethical and professional responsibilities of an accredited veterinarian; 

(vii) Foreign animal disease awareness; 

(viii) Animal health emergency management; and 

(ix) Animal health procedures, issues, and information resources relevant to the State in which 

the veterinarian wishes to perform accredited duties. 

(f) Change in accreditation category . (1) Category I to Category II . A veterinarian who is 

accredited under Category I may become accredited under Category II if the veterinarian applies 

for accreditation under Category II by completing an application for accreditation, including 

certification that the applicant is able to perform the tasks listed in paragraph (g)(2) of this 

section, and submitting it to APHIS. The veterinarian must also have fulfilled the training 

requirements in §161.3(b) that are associated with renewal of accreditation under Category II. 

(2) Category II to Category I . A veterinarian who is accredited under Category II may become 

accredited under Category I if the veterinarian applies for accreditation under Category I by 

completing an application for accreditation, including certification that the applicant is able to 

perform the tasks listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, and submitting it to APHIS. The 

veterinarian must also have fulfilled the training requirements in §161.3(b) that are associated 

with renewal of accreditation under Category I. 

(g) Tasks that applicants for accredited status must be able to perform . Applicants for 

accredited status must be able to: 

(1) Category I . (i) Perform physical examination of individual Category I animals to determine 

whether they are free from any clinical signs suggestive of communicable disease. 

(ii) Recognize the common breeds of Category I animals and accurately record breed 

information on official documents. 

(iii) Apply common animal identification for Category I animals. 

(iv) Properly complete certificates for domestic and international movement of Category I 

animals. 

(v) Perform necropsies on Category I animals. 

(vi) Recognize and report clinical signs and lesions of exotic animal diseases that occur in 

Category I animals. 

(vii) Vaccinate Category I animals and accurately complete the vaccination certificates. 

(viii) Properly collect and ship specimen samples to the appropriate laboratory for testing with 

complete and accurate paperwork. 

(ix) Develop appropriate biosecurity protocols, as well as cleaning and disinfection protocols, to 

control communicable disease spread in Category I animals. 

(2) Category II . (i) Perform physical examination of individual animals and visually inspect 

herds or flocks to determine whether the animals are free from any clinical signs suggestive of 

communicable disease. 

(ii) Recognize the common breeds of Category I and Category II animals, including the types of 

poultry as defined by the National Poultry Improvement Plan in subchapter G of this chapter and 

the common breeds of livestock, and be able to accurately record breed information on official 

documents. 

(iii) Recognize all USDA animal identification systems. 

(iv) Estimate the age of livestock using a dental formula. 

(v) Apply USDA-recognized identification (e.g., eartag, microchip, tattoo) for the USDA animal 

identification system. 
(vi) Certify the health status of an avian flock regarding diseases of domestic or international 

regulatory concern, and evaluate records pertaining to poultry flock testing and participation in 

Federal and State poultry health programs and classifications. 

(vii) Properly complete certificates for domestic and international movement of animals. 

(viii) Apply and remove official seals. 

(ix) Perform necropsies on animals. 

(x) Recognize and report clinical signs and lesions of exotic animal diseases. 

(xi) Develop a herd or flock health plan consistent with requirements in subchapters B, C, and D 

of this chapter. 

(xii) Vaccinate for USDA program diseases and accurately complete the vaccination certificate. 

(xiii) Properly collect and ship sample specimens to an appropriate laboratory for testing with 

complete and accurate paperwork. 

(xiv) Properly perform testing for tuberculosis (e.g., caudal fold test). 

(xv) Develop appropriate biosecurity protocols, as well as cleaning and disinfection protocols, to 

control communicable disease spread. 

(xvi) Explain basic principles for control of diseases for which APHIS or APHIS-State 

cooperative programs presently exist. 

(h) Authorization to perform duties . An accredited veterinarian may not perform accredited 

duties in a State until after receiving written authorization from APHIS. If a Category I 

accredited veterinarian completes the necessary training requirements and becomes a Category II 

accredited veterinarian, the veterinarian may not perform Category II accredited duties in a State 

until after receiving written authorization from APHIS. 

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0579–0297) 

§ 161.2 Performance of accredited duties in different States. 

(a) If an accredited veterinarian wishes to perform accredited duties in a State other than the 

State in which the veterinarian was initially accredited in accordance with §161.1(e), the 

accredited veterinarian must complete an application to request authorization to perform 

accredited duties in the new State from the Veterinarian-in-Charge of that State. The 

Veterinarian-in-Charge of the new State may require the accredited veterinarian to complete, 

prior to performing any accredited duties in the new State, an orientation in animal health 

procedures and issues relevant to the new State. The Veterinarian-in-Charge shall review the 

content of each such orientation and shall approve its use after determining that it includes 

adequate information about animal health agencies, regulatory requirements, administrative 

procedures, and animal disease issues in the new State, to prepare an accredited veterinarian 

from another State to perform accredited duties in the new State. The Veterinarian-in-Charge 

shall also give the State Animal Health Official of the new State an opportunity to review the 

contents of the orientation, and invite him or her to participate in developing orientation 

materials and conducting the orientation. 

(b) An accredited veterinarian may not perform accredited duties in a State in which the 

accredited veterinarian is not licensed or legally able to practice veterinary medicine. 

(c) An accredited veterinarian may not perform accredited duties in a State other than the one in 

which the veterinarian was initially accredited until the veterinarian receives written 

authorization from APHIS to perform accredited duties in the new State. 
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 0579–0032 and 

0579–0297) 

§ 161.3 Renewal of accreditation. 

(a) Accredited veterinarians who wish to continue participating in the National Veterinary 

Accreditation Program must renew their accreditation every 3 years by completing an application 

for accreditation renewal and submitting it to APHIS. Newly accredited veterinarians must 

renew their accreditation within 3 years of completing the orientation program described in 

§161.1(e)(4) of this part, regardless of when their accreditation was granted. Other veterinarians 

must renew their accreditation within 3 years of the previous renewal. 

(b) Accredited veterinarians who wish to renew their accreditation under Category I must 

complete 3 supplemental training units approved by APHIS by the end of their 3-year tenure as 

an accredited veterinarian. Accredited veterinarians who wish to renew their accreditation under 

Category II must complete 6 supplemental training units approved by APHIS by the end of their 

3-year tenure as an accredited veterinarian. Accredited veterinarians who wish to change the 

category in which they are accredited, rather than renew accreditation in their current 

accreditation category, should follow the procedure in §161.1(f) of this part. 

(c) Accredited veterinarians who do not complete the required training within 3 years as 

specified in paragraph (a) of this section will have their accredited status expire. Veterinarians 

whose accreditation has expired will not be allowed to perform accredited duties until they 

receive notification of their reinstatement from APHIS. Veterinarians who perform duties that 

only accredited veterinarians are authorized to perform while their accredited status has expired 

will be subject to such criminal and civil penalties as are provided by the Animal Health 

Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq .) or other applicable Federal statutes or regulations. To be 

reinstated, the veterinarian must complete the necessary supplemental training units for the 

appropriate category and submit an application for renewal of veterinary accreditation to APHIS. 

A veterinarian who allows his or her accredited status to expire must have completed the 

required number of supplemental training units within 3 years of his or her application for 

renewal in order to be approved for renewal. Supplemental training units completed since the 

veterinarian's last renewal but more than 3 years before the veterinarian's application for renewal 

will not count towards fulfilling his or her training requirement. 

(d) Veterinarians who are accredited as of February 1, 2010, may continue to perform accredited 

duties between February 1, 2010, and the date of their first renewal. APHIS will provide notice 

for 3 months to accredited veterinarians who are accredited as of February 1, 2010, to notify 

them that they must elect to participate in the NVAP as a Category I or Category II veterinarian. 

Veterinarians must elect to continue to participate within 3 months of the end of the notification 

period, or their accredited status will expire. When APHIS receives notice from an accredited 

veterinarian that he or she elects to participate, APHIS will notify the accredited veterinarian of 

his or her date for first renewal. The accredited veterinarian must then complete all the training 

requirements for renewal, as described in this section, by his or her first renewal date. 

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0579–0297) 

§ 161.4 Standards for accredited veterinarian duties. 
An accredited veterinarian shall perform the functions of an accredited veterinarian only in a 

State in which the accredited veterinarian is licensed or legally able to practice veterinary 

medicine. An accredited veterinarian shall perform the functions of an accredited veterinarian 

and carry out all responsibilities under applicable Federal programs and cooperative programs 

subject to direction provided by the Veterinarian-in-Charge and in accordance with any 

regulations and instructions issued to the accredited veterinarian by the Veterinarian-in-Charge, 

and shall observe the following specific standards: 

(a) An accredited veterinarian shall not issue a certificate, form, record or report which reflects 

the results of any inspection, test, vaccination or treatment performed by him or her with respect 

to any animal, other than those in regular health maintenance programs, unless he or she has 

personally inspected that animal within 10 days prior to issuance. Inspections under this 

paragraph must be conducted in a location that allows the accredited veterinarian sufficient space 

to observe the animal in such a manner as to detect abnormalities related to areas such as, but not 

limited to, locomotion, body excretion, respiration, and skin conditions. An accredited 

veterinarian shall examine such an animal showing abnormalities, in order to determine whether 

or not there is clinical evidence compatible with the presence or absence of a communicable 

disease. 

(1) Following the first two inspections of a herd or flock as part of a regular health maintenance 

program, an accredited veterinarian shall not issue a certificate, form, record or report which 

reflects the results of any inspection, test, vaccination or treatment performed by him or her with 

respect to any animal in that program, unless he or she has personally inspected that animal 

within 10 days prior to issuance. 

(2) Following the third and subsequent inspections of a herd or flock in a regular health 

maintenance program, an accredited veterinarian shall not issue a certificate, form, record or 

report which reflects the results of any inspection, test, vaccination or treatment performed by 

him or her with respect to any animal in that program, unless he or she has personally inspected 

that animal within 30 days prior to issuance. 

(b) An accredited veterinarian shall not issue, or allow to be used, any certificate, form, record or 

report, until, and unless, it has been accurately and fully completed, clearly identifying the 

animals to which it applies, and showing the dates and results of any inspection, test, 

vaccination, or treatment the accredited veterinarian has conducted, except as provided in 

paragraph (c) of this section, and the dates of issuance and expiration of the document. 

Certificates, forms, records, and reports shall be valid for 30 days following the date of 

inspection of the animal identified on the document, except that origin health certificates may be 

valid for a longer period of time as provided in §91.3(a) of this chapter. The accredited 

veterinarian must distribute copies of certificates, forms, records, and reports according to 

instructions issued to him or her by the Veterinarian-in-Charge. 

(c) An accredited veterinarian shall not issue any certificate, form, record, or report which 

reflects the results of any inspection, test, vaccination, or treatment performed by another 

accredited veterinarian, unless: 

(1) The signing accredited veterinarian has exercised reasonable care, that is, a standard of care 

that a reasonably prudent person would use under the circumstances in the course of performing 

professional duties, to determine that the certificate, form, or report is accurate; 

(2) The certificate, form, or report indicates that the inspection, test, vaccination, or treatment 

was performed by the other accredited veterinarian; identifies the other accredited veterinarian 
by name; and includes the date and the place where such inspection, test, or vaccination was 

performed; and, 

(3) For a certificate, form, or report indicating results of a laboratory test, the signing accredited 

veterinarian shall keep a copy of the certificate, form, or report and shall attach to it either a copy 

of the test results issued by the laboratory, or a written record (including date and participants' 

names) of a conversation between the signing accredited veterinarian and the laboratory 

confirming the test results. 

(d) An accredited veterinarian shall perform official tests, inspections, treatments, and 

vaccinations and shall submit specimens to designated laboratories in accordance with Federal 

and State regulations and instructions issued to the accredited veterinarian by the Veterinarianin-Charge. 

(e) An accredited veterinarian shall identify or be physically present to supervise the 

identification of reactor animals by tagging or such other method as may be prescribed in 

instructions issued to him or her by the Veterinarian-in-Charge or by a State Animal Health 

Official through the Veterinarian-in-Charge. 

(f) An accredited veterinarian shall immediately report to the Veterinarian-in-Charge and the 

State Animal Health Official all diagnosed or suspected cases of a communicable animal disease 

for which a APHIS has a control or eradication program in 9 CFR chapter I, and all diagnosed or 

suspected cases of any animal disease not known to exist in the United States as provided by 

§71.3(b) of this chapter. 

(g) While performing accredited work, an accredited veterinarian shall take such measures of 

sanitation as are necessary to prevent the spread of communicable diseases of animals by the 

accredited veterinarian. 

(h) An accredited veterinarian shall keep himself or herself currently informed on Federal and 

State regulations that are provided to him or her by the Veterinarian-in-Charge, or by a State 

official through the Veterinarian-in-Charge, governing the movement of animals, and on 

procedures applicable to disease control and eradication programs, including emergency 

programs. 

(i) An accredited veterinarian shall not use or dispense in any manner, any pharmaceutical, 

chemical, vaccine or serum, or other biological product authorized for use under any Federal 

regulation or cooperative disease eradication program, in contravention of applicable Federal or 

State statutes, regulations, and policies. 

(j) An accredited veterinarian shall be responsible for the security and proper use of all official 

certificates, forms, records, and reports; tags, bands, or other identification devices; and 

approved digital signature capabilities used in his or her work as an accredited veterinarian and 

shall take reasonable care to prevent the misuse thereof. An accredited veterinarian shall 

immediately report to the Veterinarian-in-Charge the loss, theft, or deliberate or accidental 

misuse of any such certificate, form, record, or report; tag, band, or other identification device; or 

approved digital signature capability. 

(k) An accredited veterinarian may issue an origin health certificate for export use pursuant to 

part 91 of this chapter without including test results from a laboratory, if the Veterinarian-inCharge has determined that such action is necessary to save time in order to meet an exportation 

schedule and agrees to add the test results to the certificate at a later time. In such cases, the 

accredited veterinarian shall state on a removable attachment to the certificate that such test 

results are to be added by the Veterinarian-in-Charge. 
§ 161.5 Program certifications. 

A program certification recognized by the Administrator may be granted to an accredited 

veterinarian in Category II upon completion of an additional orientation or training program 

approved by APHIS that focuses on the specific area for which the veterinarian is seeking 

program certification. Veterinarians accredited under Category I are not eligible to earn program 

certifications. Accredited veterinarians may elect to participate in a program certification on a 

voluntary basis. Participants in these program certifications will be qualified in a particular area 

or specialty. In addition to Category II training, qualification for a program certification will 

include additional specialized training, which may include periodic training updates. For certain 

program certifications, the cost of orientation or training may be borne by the accredited 

veterinarian. An accredited veterinarian granted a program certification will be referred to as a 

qualified accredited veterinarian or QAV. A QAV will be authorized to perform those accredited 

duties related to the program certification he or she has earned; accredited veterinarians not 

granted program certifications will not be permitted to perform accredited duties related to that 

particular program certification. If a QAV allows his or her Category II accreditation to expire, 

the QAV's program certification expires as well, and the QAV must be qualified for the program 

certification again in accordance with this section. 

§ 161.6 Suspension or revocation of veterinary accreditation and reaccreditation; criminal 

and civil penalties. 

(a) The Administrator is authorized to suspend for a given period of time, or to revoke, the 

accreditation of a veterinarian when he or she determines that the accredited veterinarian has not 

complied with the “Standards for Accredited Veterinarian Duties” as set forth in §161.4 of this 

part or with any of the other regulations in this subchapter, or is otherwise found to be unfit to be 

accredited. Veterinarians who perform duties that only accredited veterinarians are authorized to 

perform while their accredited status is suspended or revoked will be subject to such criminal 

and civil penalties as are provided by the Animal Health Protection Act (7U.S.C.8301 et seq .) or 

other applicable Federal statutes or regulations. Performing accredited duties while accreditation 

status is suspended or revoked will be considered grounds for the Administrator to suspend 

accreditation, revoke accreditation, or deny application for reaccreditation, as circumstances 

warrant. A veterinarian whose accreditation has been suspended or revoked or whose application 

for reaccreditation has been denied may request a hearing under §162.13 to challenge the 

Administrator's decision. 

(b) Reinstatement after suspension . A veterinarian whose accreditation has been suspended for 

less than 6 months (other than a summary suspension that is changed to a revocation as a result 

of an adjudicatory proceeding) will be automatically reinstated as an accredited veterinarian 

upon completion of the suspension. A veterinarian whose accreditation has been suspended for 6 

months or more must complete a reaccreditation orientation program in accordance with 

paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section before accreditation will be reinstated. 

(c) Reaccreditation after revocation . A veterinarian whose accreditation has been revoked may 

apply for reaccreditation by completing an application for reaccreditation and submitting it to the 

Veterinarian-in-Charge of the State or area where he or she wishes to perform accredited work. 

The application may be submitted when the revocation has been in effect for not less than 2 

years, unless the revocation order specifies that the veterinarian whose accreditation has been 
revoked may not submit an application for reaccreditation until the revocation has been in effect 

for a period of time longer than 2 years. 

(1) Completed applications for reaccreditation received by a Veterinarian-in-Charge shall be 

reviewed by the State Animal Health Official for the State in which the veterinarian wishes to 

perform accredited duties. Within 14 days after receiving an application, the State Animal Health 

Official shall either endorse the application or send a written statement to the Administrator 

explaining why it was not endorsed; but if the State Animal Health Official fails to take one of 

these actions within 14 days, the Veterinarian-in-Charge shall proceed to review the application. 

The Administrator will review the application and the written statement, if any, and determine 

whether the applicant meets the requirements for reaccreditation contained in this part. 

(2) Once a veterinarian whose accreditation has been revoked has correctly applied for 

reaccreditation in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, the 

Administrator will determine whether to reaccredit or to deny reaccreditation. This determination 

will be based on whether the veterinarian has fulfilled the following conditions: 

(i) The veterinarian is licensed or legally able to practice veterinary medicine in the State in 

which the veterinarian wishes to perform accredited duties; 

(ii) The veterinarian has completed a reaccreditation orientation program approved by the 

Veterinarian-in-Charge for the State in which the veterinarian wishes to perform accredited 

work, and upon completion of the orientation, has signed a written statement listing the date and 

place of orientation, the subjects covered in the orientation, and any written materials provided to 

the veterinarian at the orientation. The Veterinarian-in-Charge shall also give the State Animal 

Health Official an opportunity to review the contents of the reaccreditation orientation, and invite 

him or her to participate in developing orientation materials and conducting the orientation. The 

orientation program shall include topics addressing the subject areas which led to loss of 

accreditation for the applicant, and subject areas which have changed since the applicant lost 

accreditation; and 

(iii) The professional integrity and reputation of the applicant support a conclusion that the 

applicant will faithfully fulfill the duties of an accredited veterinarian in the future. In making 

this conclusion, the Administrator shall review all available information about the applicant, 

including recommendations of the State Animal Health Official, and shall consider: 

(A) Any criminal conviction records indicating that the applicant may lack the honesty, integrity, 

and reliability to appropriately and effectively perform accredited duties and to uphold the 

integrity of the National Veterinary Accreditation Program; 

(B) Official records of the applicant's actions participating in Federal, State, or local veterinary 

programs; 

(C) Judicial determinations in civil litigation adversely reflecting on the honesty, integrity, and 

reliability of the applicant; and 

(D) Any other evidence reflecting on the honesty, professional integrity, reliability and 

reputation of the applicant. 

(3)(i) If a veterinarian is reaccredited under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the veterinarian may 

begin performing accredited duties again upon receipt of notification from the Administrator that 

he or she is eligible to do so. 

(ii) If an application for reaccreditation is denied under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the 

veterinarian may apply for reaccreditation in accordance with this paragraph (c) not less than 2 

years after the application was last denied, unless the decision specifies that the veterinarian may 

not reapply for reaccreditation until a period of time longer than 2 years has passed. 
(d) Accreditation shall be automatically terminated when an accredited veterinarian is not 

licensed or legally able to practice veterinary medicine in at least one State. 

(e) Accreditation shall be automatically revoked when an accredited veterinarian is convicted of 

a crime in either State or Federal court, if such conviction is based on the performance or 

nonperformance of any act required of the veterinarian in his or her capacity as an accredited 

veterinarian. 

(f) Any accredited veterinarian who knowingly issues or signs a false, incorrect, or mislabeled 

animal health or inspection certificate, blood sample, official brucellosis vaccination certificate, 

or official tuberculin test certificate in accordance with this chapter, shall be subject to such civil 

penalties and such criminal liabilities as are provided by 7 U.S.C. 8313, 18 U.S.C. 1001, or other 

applicable Federal statutes. Such action may be in addition to, or in lieu of, suspension or 

revocation of accredited veterinarian status in accordance with this section. 

(g) Notice of warning . In lieu of suspension or revocation, the Administrator is authorized to 

issue a written notice of warning to an accredited veterinarian when the Administrator 

determines a notice of warning will be adequate to attain compliance with the Standards for 

Accredited Veterinarian Duties in §161.4 of this part. 

§ 161.7 Activities performed by non-accredited veterinarians. 

(a) Full-time Federal (including military) and State employed veterinarians are authorized to 

perform functions specified in subchapters B, C, and D of this chapter, pursuant to delegation of 

authority by the Administrator or cooperative agreements, without specific accreditation under 

the provisions of this subchapter. 

(b) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of this section, anyone who performs accredited 

veterinarian duties that he or she is not authorized to perform will be subject to such criminal and 

civil penalties as are provided by the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq .) or 

other applicable Federal statutes or regulations. Performing accredited duties without having 

been accredited will be considered grounds for the Administrator to deny an application for 

accreditation. 

PART 162—RULES OF PRACTICE GOVERNING REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION 

OF VETERINARIANS' ACCREDITATION 

Subpart A—General 

§ 162.1 Scope and applicability of rules of practice. 

The Uniform Rules of Practice for the Department of Agriculture promulgated in subpart H of 

part 1, subtitle A, title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, are the Rules of Practice applicable to 

adjudicatory, administrative proceedings for the revocation or suspension of accreditation of 

veterinarians (9 CFR parts 160 and 161). In addition, the Supplemental Rules of Practice set 

forth in subpart B of this part shall be applicable to such proceedings. 

Subpart B—Supplemental Rules of Practice 

§ 162.10 Summary suspension or revocation of accreditation of veterinarians. 
In any situation where the Administrator has reason to believe that any veterinarian accredited 

under the provisions of parts 160 and 161 of this subchapter has knowingly violated the Animal 

Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq .), the Administrator may summarily suspend the 

accreditation of such veterinarian pending final determination in either a suspension or 

revocation proceeding, effective upon oral or written notification, whichever is earlier. In the 

event of oral notification, a written confirmation thereof shall be given to such veterinarian as 

promptly as circumstances permit. 

§ 162.11 Notification. 

The Veterinarian-in-Charge shall notify an accredited veterinarian when there is reason to 

believe that the accredited veterinarian has not complied with the “Standards for Accredited 

Veterinarian Duties” as contained in §161.4 of this subchapter. The notification shall be in 

writing, with a copy to the State Animal Health Official, and shall include a statement of the 

basis for the belief that the accredited veterinarian has failed to comply with the Standards and 

shall notify the accredited veterinarian if the Veterinarian-in-Charge has arranged to hold an 

informal conference to discuss the matter. 

§ 162.12 Informal conference. 

(a) The Veterinarian-in-Charge, in consultation with the State Animal Health Official and the 

accredited veterinarian, shall designate the time and place for the holding of an informal 

conference to review the matter, unless the Veterinarian-in-Charge determines that an informal 

conference is inappropriate. An informal conference is inappropriate only if the Veterinarian-inCharge decides to dismiss the case based on available facts, or if civil or criminal charges based 

on the actions or inactions believed to be in violation of the “Standards for Accredited 

Veterinarian Duties” contained in §161.4 of this subchapter are pending against the accredited 

veterinarian. An informal conference shall include the Veterinarian-in-Charge or his or her 

representative, the accredited veterinarian, and any other persons the Veterinarian-in-Charge 

requests to attend due to their involvement in or knowledge of the possible violation. The State 

Animal Health Official will be invited to attend each informal conference held regarding 

activities in his or her State. 

(b) If prior to, during, or after the informal conference, but prior to the issuance of a formal 

complaint, the accredited veterinarian is found not to have violated the regulations, the 

Veterinarian-in-Charge will issue a letter dismissing the case, and provide a copy of the letter to 

the accredited veterinarian and to the State Animal Health Official. Prior to, during, or after the 

informal conference, the Veterinarian-in-Charge may issue a letter identifying actions of the 

accredited veterinarian that were minor violations of the Standards, instructing the accredited 

veterinarian in proper procedures, and admonishing the accredited veterinarian to use greater 

care in performing these procedures in the future. 

(c) Prior to, during, or at the conclusion of the informal conference, the Veterinarian-in-Charge 

may issue a written warning to the accredited veterinarian without further procedure after 

determining that a warning with appropriate instructions will be adequate to attain compliance 

with the Standards. 
(d) If prior to, during, or at the conclusion of, the informal conference, the accredited 

veterinarian consents, in writing, to the issuance of an order revoking or suspending his or her 

accreditation for a specified period of time, in lieu of further procedure, the Veterinarian-inCharge may issue such a consent order without further procedure. 

§ 162.13 Formal complaint. 

If a consent order has not been issued, or if, after an informal conference, the Veterinarian-inCharge has not issued a letter of dismissal or letter of warning to the accredited veterinarian, a 

formal complaint may be issued by the Administrator in accordance with §1.135 of the Uniform 

Rules of Practice (7 CFR 1.135).