Classes of Registration

A veterinarian may apply to the CVBC for full registration in one of the following classes: 

• PRIVATE PRACTICE (PP) – this is the most common form of registration; a Private Practice registrant enjoys the privilege of the unrestricted practice of veterinary medicine in BC; registration in this class requires a Certificate of Qualification (CQ) from the National Examining Board 

• SPECIALTY PRIVATE PRACTICE (SPP) – this class of registration is available only to individuals certified in a specialized field of practice (‘Diplomates’) by a certifying college recognized by either the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) or the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS); a Specialty Private Practice registrant is only authorized to practise veterinary medicine within their demonstrated field of specialty.  A CQ is not required for SPP registration; if a diplomate does have a CQ, they are eligible to apply for either PP or SPP registration. 

• PUBLIC SECTOR (PS) – this class of registration is available only to individuals who are employed to work as a veterinarian by the Crown, the BC provincial government, or a similar public body;  a Public Sector registrant is only authorized to practice for the duration of and within the scope of their government contract and must not provide veterinary services directly to the public.  A CQ is not required for PS registration; if a veterinarian in government employment has a CQ, they are eligible to apply for either PP or PS registration. 

• TEMPORARY FOR EXTERNAL-LICENSED VETERINARIANS (TEMP) – this class of registration is available to individuals who hold (and maintain) full licensure in another recognized jurisdiction  for an equivalent scope of practice (see “ Registrar Policy: Recognition of International Jurisdictions for Temporary registration applicants” for an explanation of how the CVBC determines whether or not a jurisdiction outside of Canada will be recognized). An applicant for TEMP registration must meet the occupational competency requirements for either Private Practice or Specialty Private Practice registration, and their permitted scope of practice in BC will reflect which of these requirements they satisfy.  TEMP registration is valid for 1 full year and permits the veterinarian to practise veterinary medicine in BC for up to 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) during that period of time. 

What is ‘Provisional’ Registration? 

If a veterinarian’s application is deficient in one or more of the requirements for full registration in one of the above classes, they may ask the Registration Committee to consider granting them provisional registration in that registration class pending correction of the deficiency in their application.    

An applicant hoping for provisional registration must satisfy all other registration requirements before their application will be referred to the Registration Committee.  In addition to the usual submissions, applicants should also provide a letter to the Committee outlining their request and addressing key issues. For example, the letter would address: 

• why they are requesting provisional registration;  

• how it is in the public interest to grant the applicant provisional registration despite the deficiency;  

• the anticipated means and timeline to correction of the deficient requirement; 
• any proposed practice accommodations to address any anticipated concerns of the Registration Committee raised by the deficient requirement.
   

Additional Submissions in Support of the Application: 

In addition to their letter to the Registration Committee, applicants are invited to provide additional information to support their request. Submissions should help address questions regarding the applicant created by the particular deficiency in their application. 

The Registration Committee must consider requests for Provisional registration in the context of the public interest and will consider each request on its own merits. If the Committee concludes that it is in the public interest to grant the applicant provisional registration, they will establish terms and conditions on that registration that may include:  

• a time period within which the application’s deficiency must be remedied by the applicant;  

• requirements for how the deficiency must be remedied; and  

• limits or conditions upon the applicant’s provisional practice (including but not limited to supervised practice requirements) until the deficiency is remedied and full registration is possible.