Designated Registrant Appointment for a New Practice or Facility Application 

Appointing a designated registrant for a new practice or facility is outlined in the relevant sections of New Facility Accreditation Process. 

Designated Registrant Changes for an Accredited Practice or Facility 

As per bylaw 3.4(1) and Division 4.1, every practice or facility must have a designated registrant/veterinarian. Part 4, Bylaw 201 and Part 3, Bylaw 3.6(9) outline the responsibilities of a designated registrant. It is the practice or facility owner’s responsibility to ensure that there is an appointed designated registrant at all times, and other registrants should not practice from a practice or facility where there is no designated registrant. Failure to comply may result in a consequence regarding the practice or facility’s accreditation status or discipline action against registrants. 

Steps to change the designated registrant of an accredited practice or facility: 

1. Complete the Designated Registrant – Change of Appointment Form.  
2. Email the completed form to facilities@cvbc.ca. The form must be submitted prior to the effective date indicated on the form.
3. The CVBC confirmation letter will be emailed to the newly appointed designated registrant. 

The CVBC office will be responsible for updating the online registry to reflect this change. 

Ownership 

As per bylaw 3.6(9), the designated registrant of the practice or facility must notify the office if there is an ownership change.

The CVBC does not review or approve ownership structures or changes, however approval for use of a practice or facility name is considered under Bylaw 3.24.  Only registrants may apply for approval of use of the protected terms used in naming a practice or facility.  If the owner is not a registrant, one must act as their representative to request the previously approved name be transferred. 

See Naming, Category One, Section C. Transfer of Practice Name Approval for the general steps to request transfer of a practice or facility name to another registrant (owner). 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

• What is the confirmation letter for and how does that relate to the BC Registry? 
  • The ownership change should be reported to the BC Registry. The BC Registry may require confirmation from the CVBC for use of the protected terms by the new owner, and the letter we provide serves as that approval, if necessary. 
• What action do we need to take if the new ownership also means a new designated registrant? 
  • Follow the designated registrant change section. The change form can be submitted at any time before the new designated registrant assumes their duties. 
• Is there any rule regarding how shares are split between registrant and non-registrant owners? 
  • The CVBC has no bylaws dictating ownership structure.  A non-registrant can own more than the majority of a practice or facility, but there must be a designated registrant appointed for the practice or facility to offer services. 
• Is there anything else needed if the new ownership also involves an amalgamation? 
  • Please include the certificate of amalgamation along with the two forms mentioned in Naming, Category One, Section C. Transfer of Practice Name Approval. 
• Are there any further actions that need to be taken if the current name is not indicative of the services offered by practice or facility under the new ownership? 
  • To remain compliant with Part 3 of the naming bylaws and name restrictions, the practice or facility name must be changed to properly reflect the services that will be offered. For instance, the facility purchased is a “XX animal hospital”, but overnight care will no longer be part of the services offered.  To avoid public confusion, the name should be changed to “XX animal clinic (or similar).” (Part 3 – Accreditation and Naming, s. 3.26, ‘Restrictions’)