(Editor’s note: Loren Breen, Animal Policy Group’s Director of Government Relations, is co-author of this article.)
America faces a chronic shortage of Veterinary professionals. Animal Policy Group is engaged in a number of policy initiatives to respond: advocating for telemedicine, a mid-level professional, stronger utilization of Veterinary technicians, and license portability to name a few. License portability makes it easy for licensed veterinarians to practice in a new state provided academic, professional and licensing requirements are met. The highest priority is removing restrictive prior service requirements—these can range from 1 year to 10 years of continuous service in another state. In some states a break of one year (regardless of the reason) disqualifies a veterinarian from pursuing licensure in a new state without re-taking the NAVLE.
Interstate migration has steadily risen since 2010 and saw a sharp increase during the pandemic. The current shortage of veterinarians, coupled with increased migration trends in our country, underscores the need for states to welcome licensed Veterinary professionals without burdensome obstacles, onerous requirements, or unnecessary restrictions. In some states, license portability is regulated by the Veterinary Board. In those states, boards have the power to change the rules and reduce prior service requirements, increasing access to care in their state. In other states, it is prescribed by law in practice acts, meaning a bill needs to be introduced, passed out of the legislature, and enacted by the Governor.
Portability restrictions usually were designed to protect in-state veterinarians from new veterinarians even though both sets of veterinarians had the same credentials. Shortages leading to nearly 50% of pet owners getting no care per the PetSmartCharities/Gallup poll remove any foundation or, for that matter, fears that states need to protect incumbent veterinarians.
In early 2025, the AVMA House of Delegates unanimously passed a policy statement supporting license portability. Over the last year, we’ve had discussions with numerous state Veterinary boards and state VMA executive directors. This issue is gaining speed across the country and APG appreciates AVMA’s support. In each state where progress is being made, the measures maintain safeguards such as continued CE, no criminal background, and graduation from an accredited program to preserve the integrity and safety of Veterinary practice in their states.
On the regulatory side: In the spring of 2025, Wisconsin’s Board began a rule-making process to grant the Board discretion to grant veterinarians a license, regardless of a prior service requirement. That rule crossed the finish line this winter and was approved by the Governor.
In the legislature: As most states adjourn by early summer, license portability has enjoyed quite a few victories this session. Indiana and Florida passed bills to ease restrictions for qualified out-of-state applicants, removing prior service requirements. Colorado passed a bill requiring the Board of Veterinary Medicine (Board) to review and update the existing process and rules for veterinarian licensure by endorsement, with the intent to expedite the process, which may include elimination of duplicate requirements.
A significant number of state practice acts still make it difficult for a qualified veterinarian to move and gain licensure, but the absence of effective opposition should see these numbers shrink dramatically in the next few years.