Board actions involve foreign graduates, model practice act

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Building on a productive summit held in September by a joint committee of the AVMA and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, the AVMA Executive Board in November took subsequent steps to advance two areas of mutual concern.

The AVMA board actions relate to the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence—an AAVSB proposed alternative to the AVMA Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates program, and the need for the AVMA and AAVSB to have a single model practice act, instead of separate ones.

In September, the AVMA/AAVSB ad hoc joint committee structured a proposed resolution regarding the status of PAVE and ECFVG. Also, the committee agreed to continue efforts to create a structure under which a model practice act can be developed.

The AVMA Executive Board approved the resolution drafted by the joint committee on the status of PAVE and ECFVG, but stipulated that approval is contingent on a satisfactory legal review by AVMA counsel.

The AVMA/AAVSB resolution calls for the AVMA to do the following:

  • charge the ECFVG with having candidates follow a specific order of progression in completing program requirements
  • discontinue use of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination in the process of evaluating foreign graduates' educational background
  • replace NAVLE with another examination such as the one the National Board Examination Committee developed to test preclinical knowledge
  • change the composition and reporting structure of the ECFVG

The board also approved a recommendation to establish an ad hoc committee to develop a time line to determine the circumstances under which the ECFVG can become autonomous. This was another provision called for in the AVMA/AAVSB resolution. Executive Board Chair Bonnie Beaver will appoint the committee.

Finally, the board approved establishment of an AVMA/AAVSB Joint Committee to provide a venue to discuss issues of mutual concern and importance.

Turning to the model practice act, the board authorized two additional meetings of the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Task Force to continue its revisionary work and determine whether more resources are necessary.

To ensure that diverse expertise goes into updating the practice act, the board also appointed an additional five members to the task force. They will represent food animal practice, a state licensing board, the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, a veterinary specialty board, and the public sector.

During discussions with the AAVSB, the AVMA had put the task force on hold, hoping to collaborate with the AAVSB on this project. Unless a combined effort can be agreed to at the AVMA/AAVSB joint committee meeting in January, the AVMA task force must be reactivated to resume its efforts.

To ensure that all AVMA members receive clear, accurate information about these recent interactions between the AVMA and AAVSB, the Executive Board approved another direct mailing to members, allied groups, state boards, and state veterinary associations. The mailing is planned for the near future.