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NVAP: How do I Become Accredited?

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Veterinarians seeking accreditation must complete the steps listed below.

Complete the Initial Accreditation Training 

Veterinarians applying for veterinary accreditation as well as those seeking to attend

an Orientation Program will need to complete the Initial Accreditation Training (IAT).

IAT is web-based and is comprised of an Introduction followed by three Veterinary

Accreditation Lessons, four Emerging and Exotic Diseases of Animals Lessons, and

seven Transboundary Disease Incursions. The lessons and incursions each have a

corresponding multiple choice quiz. A passing score of 80% on each of the 14

quizzes is required to earn an IAT Certificate of Completion. An IAT Certificate of

Completion earned in the IAT Web course will be required for admission to the

Orientation Program. Both IAT and the Orientation Program must be completed in

order to apply for accreditation.

For graduate and licensed veterinarians who have already received their

degrees from a U.S. or foreign school or college of veterinary medicine and who

are seeking veterinary accreditation for the first time, IAT is available only

through the NVAP Coordinator in the state where accreditation is sought.
For students currently enrolled or matriculated in a U.S. school or college of

veterinary medicine, IAT is incorporated into the regulatory and/or foreign

animal disease curricula. Veterinary students can access the course content

through the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges web site.

Note: Documentation indicating your completion of IAT will be required for admission

to the Orientation Program.

Attend an Orientation Program 

After the completing Initial Accreditation Training, applicants for accreditation must

attend an Orientation Program. Upon completion of the Orientation Program,

application for accreditation must be completed within 3 years. The elements of the

Orientation Program are: 

A. Federal animal health laws, regulations, and rules;

B. Interstate movement of animals;

C. Import and export requirements for animals;

D. USDA animal disease eradication and control programs;

E. Laboratory support in confirming disease diagnoses;

F. Ethical and professional responsibilities of an accredited veterinarian;

G. Foreign animal disease awareness;

H. Animal health emergency management; and

I. Animal health procedures, issues, and information resources relevant to the

State in which the veterinarian wishes to perform accredited duties.

The Orientation Program may be taken during veterinary medical school or during a

session scheduled by the NVAP Coordinator.

Upcoming Orientation Programs

You must contact the NVAP Coordinator to register and confirm. This listing may not

reflect all Orientation Programs for all States. Contact your NVAP Coordinator for upto-date information.

Wednesday 24 January
For Veterinarians Applying for Texas Accreditation (Enrollment deadline: January 18)

Date

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Time

1:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST

Contact Texas NVAP Coordinator

Additional Requirements

Complete a State specific Orientation if required by the Area Veterinarian in

Charge in cooperation with the State Animal Health Official (SAHO).

Graduate with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree

from a College of Veterinary Medicine.

Be licensed or legally able to practice veterinary medicine in the State in which

you are applying.

Submit Your Application

Complete VS Form 1-36A (794.24 KB). Please read the instructions thoroughly

before completing this application. Either electronic or hand signatures are

acceptable.

Submit your completed VS Form 1-36A (794.24 KB) application to the NVAP

Coordinator of the State in which you want to become accredited. The

application must be submitted within three (3) years of your completion of an

Orientation Program; if more than three years have lapsed since your

completion of an Orientation Program, you are required to complete another

Orientation Program.

You may submit your application via:

Password-protected email as a pdf document with electronic or hand

signature

Paper via USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc., or

Fax
The Area Veterinarian in Charge and SAHO will review and evaluate the application.

If the application is approved, an accreditation letter will be sent authorizing the

veterinarian to perform accreditation work in that State.

NOTE: The veterinarian may not perform any accreditation duties until written

approval by the Area Veterinarian in Charge is received.

Contact Us

NVAP Coordinators

For questions about NVAP, contact your local NVAP Coordinator by selecting your

State or Territory from the dropdown menu below or visit More Information About

NVAP.

- Select a State - ▾

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Export requirements frequently change. Obtain current export requirements for live

animals or animal products before each shipment.