Once granted registration, a PSA registrant will only be permitted to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine in British Columbia once they have a Registrar-approved Primary Supervision arrangement
The PSA registrant must always practice under the direct supervision of a Private Practice registrant who has been approved by the Registrar to act as their supervisor (Primary or Additional).
Direct Supervision means supervision of the PSA Registrant by a supervisor, including maintaining sufficient physical proximity with the PSA Registrant so that the supervisor is available to consult with the PSA registrant performing any procedure or treatment, whether in a facility, or any place where the veterinary services are provided away from a facility, and if required, to attend to the animal as competent veterinary practice requires. (CVBC Bylaws, section 2.1(13))
The Registration Committee’s approval for PSA registration is valid for 2 years – if a PSA registrant hasn’t completed their examinations and received a CQ within 2 years, they may ask the Registration Committee for an extension (for up to a maximum of 2 additional years). The expectation is that a PSA registrant will use their approval time to actively pursue completion of their remaining examinations to receive their CQ and be eligible for full registration.
Separate to the duration of the Registration Committee’s approval for registration, a PSA registrant must (like all other registrants) complete the requirements for renewal of annual registration each year (including submitting the necessary application for registration renewal, paying the annual registration fee, reporting their required CE hours and paying any other debts owing to the College by the renewal deadline). More information about maintaining registration can be found at “For Veterinarians/For Registrants/Maintaining Registration”.
If the PSA registrant ceases to be a registered candidate with the NEB, their CVBC registration will immediately cease as they no longer meet the requirements for PSA registration.
PSA registrants must ensure that they (and others) always represent themselves as “provisional” and required to work under supervision; and ensure that they are not represented as full registrants.
PSA registrants are not authorized to write prescriptions to be filled outside of the practice (medications prescribed by the PSA registrant must be dispensed through the practice facility, also occurring under the supervision of the supervisor).
PSA registrants must notify the Registrar without delay if any of their primary or additional supervisor(s) cease to act as their supervisor or indicates an intention to cease acting as their supervisor.
A PSA may work at more than one practice facility but they must have a Primary Supervisor at each practice facility.
