Good Character and Fitness to Practise

CVBC bylaws for registration require the applicant to provide proof of good character and fitness to practise. 

The CVBC assessment of an applicant’s character and fitness involves consideration of several factors (addressed both within the application form and through supporting document requirements).  These include but are not necessarily limited to: 

• Letters of standing and license/discipline histories from all prior and current jurisdictions in which the applicant has held licensure and/or practised veterinary medicine or any other regulated profession. 

• • For new graduates, this requires a letter of conduct and standing from their veterinary school and, if applicable, letters of standing from any regulatory bodies with which they were required to hold student licensure. 

• Review of recent work and volunteer history (for the past 5 years) 

• Recency of Practice Experience [For Private practice and Temporary (Private Practice) applications]:
  • An applicant who received their Certificate of Qualification more than 5 years prior to application must have practised in Canada for a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent within the past 5 years.  If the Registrar isn’t satisfied that this requirement is met, the application must be referred to the Registration Committee for an assessment of the currency of the applicant’s knowledge, skills and competence.
  • This assessment is accomplished through a review of recent continuing education efforts, the applicant’s resumé and detailed professional history, and letters received from recent colleagues who are able to attest to the nature and scope of the applicant’s recent veterinary practice experience as well as offer their opinion regarding the applicant’s skill, knowledge and professional conduct.  
  • For more information about this process, see the Registration Committee’s policy “Assessment of Knowledge, Skills and Competence” 

• Declarations: Consideration (and further exploration, as warranted) of the applicant’s responses to the declarations made within the application form 

• References: 

• • The Registrar may seek references from previous employers identified in the application form;