As the year winds down, most of us in Veterinary medicine are juggling busy appointment books, holiday schedules, and the usual end-of-year personal and professional chaos. But before the calendar flips, there’s another important task that deserves a spot on your to-do list: checking in on your professional requirements.
Now is the perfect time to tally up your continuing education (CE) hours and make sure you have met the requirements for your license renewal, and that you have documentation for each course or conference you’ve attended this year. Regardless of what type of proof of attendance your state requires, having everything organized early can save you a last-minute scramble when renewal time rolls around.
It’s also worth taking a few minutes to review your professional licenses, certifications, and memberships. Many of us hold multiple credentials or belong to several organizations—such as state associations, national associations, and specialty groups—and renewal dates can vary. Setting reminders now (or even automating renewals where possible) helps prevent unintentional lapses that could affect your credentials, membership, or benefits.
While reviewing your CE and memberships, take a moment to reflect on the past year. Which educational topics were most valuable to your daily work? What areas would you like to explore more deeply next year? And beyond CE, think about your professional memberships—were there organizations that offered real value, networking, or learning opportunities? Are there others that might better align with your current goals? Evaluating where you invest your time and money helps ensure your professional development stays meaningful and intentional.
Looking ahead, a little organization can go a long way in keeping next year stress-free. Create a simple digital folder (or binder if you prefer to keep hard copies) to store all current licenses, membership information, and CE certificates as you earn them. Keep a running list or spreadsheet of webinars, conferences, and workshops you attend. Add renewal dates for your licenses and memberships to your calendar, with reminders set well in advance. Avoid the unnecessary stress of the last-minute scramble! A few minutes of setup now can save hours of searching later and give you a clear snapshot of your professional progress throughout the year.
[If you’re not already aware, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) offers a free online service to record all of your continuing education via their RACEtrack program. Some jurisdictions accept CE reports directly from RACEtrack, which can streamline CE reporting during license renewal. To learn more, and to decide if this tool is right for you, please visit their website.]
Taking care of these administrative details before the end of the year means one less thing to worry about when January hits. You’ll start the new year organized, compliant, and ready to focus on what truly matters: caring for your patients and supporting your team.