New Hampshire’s Bold Move: Conditional Licenses for Foreign-Trained Vets to Combat U.S. Veterinary Shortage
New Hampshire Eases Veterinary Shortage with Conditional Licenses for Foreign-Trained Vets
As the U.S. veterinary shortage reaches critical levels, New Hampshire has introduced a solution by offering conditional licenses to foreign-trained veterinarians, according to a report from EquiManagement. This innovative approach aims to reduce the pressure on the veterinary industry by allowing veterinarians already in the U.S. to begin practicing while completing their licensure requirements.
Veterinarians in the U.S. are typically required to graduate from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited school or earn an AVMA equivalency certificate. However, the post-pandemic surge in licensure applications has created a backlog, delaying the entry of many qualified veterinarians into the workforce.
Dr. Claire Lindo, facing staffing challenges at her clinic, spearheaded the initiative by advocating for a bill that would allow veterinarians who have completed three out of the four parts of the AVMA’s Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program to receive a conditional license. These veterinarians must practice under the supervision of a licensed vet while completing the final part of their certification, a rigorous three-day exam, within two years (with an optional two-year extension).
This mentorship program is designed to support foreign-trained veterinarians as they complete their certification, potentially reducing the number of exam retakes and alleviating the bottleneck in testing and licensing.
The bill passed without opposition, marking a significant step forward in addressing the U.S. veterinarian shortage.
SEO Summary: New Hampshire is tackling the U.S. veterinarian shortage by offering conditional licenses to foreign-trained vets. These vets can practice under supervision while completing their final AVMA certification exam, helping to reduce the backlog in testing and licensing. The bill passed without opposition.
