About Membership Information

VETERINARIANS (NEW MEMBERS)

You may be eligible for MVMA membership as a Veterinarian if you:

  • Hold a valid Certificate of Qualification from the CVMA National Examining Board;
  • Graduated from a CVMA or AVMA accredited school prior to 1986;
  • Are currently licenced as a veterinarian in another regulated Canadian jurisdiction; or
  • Have graduated from an educational institution that is not accredited by the CVMA or AVMA and are in the process of obtaining a Certificate of Qualification from the CVMA National Examining Board.

To apply for MVMA membership as a veterinarian you must:

  • Complete and submit the Registration Application Form
    • Please note that a signature is required in Box V.
  • Submit all accompanying documents including:
    • A copy of your Diploma
    • A copy of your Government-issued photo identification (passport, driver’s license)
    • Proof of entitlement to work in Canada (Canadian Passport/Canadian Citizenship Card/Canadian Permanent Resident Card/Canadian Birth Certificate/Canadian Work Permit)
    • If applicable, Letter(s) of Standing sent directly from the issuing jurisdiction(s)
    • If applicable, a copy of your Diplomate credentials
  • Pay your membership dues upon receipt of invoice

It typically takes the MVMA two weeks to process a membership application.

Information for those that have graduated from an educational institution that is not accredited by the CVMA or AVMA

Those that have graduated from an educational institution that is not accredited by the CVMA or AVMA may be eligible for membership with the MVMA as a veterinarian. These applicants must first begin the process by registering with the National Examining Board (NEB). More information about the NEB can be located on the NEB’s website at https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/education-and-events/assessment/neb-faqs/

Those in the process of obtaining a Certificate of Qualification from the National Examining Board are eligible for Restricted General Membership with the MVMA upon:

  • Successful completion of the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examinations (BCSE);
  • Successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE); and
  • Registration for the Preliminary Surgical Assessment (PSA)

A restricted member must pass the Clinical Proficiency Examination within two years, failing which, a member’s registration may be revoked.

Those that have graduated from an educational institution that is not accredited by the CVMA or AVMA may be eligible for unrestricted membership upon successful completion of the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) and granting of a Certificate of Qualification from the NEB.

Supervision while holding a Restricted Licence

A restricted member practice at a minimum under indirect supervision of a practicing veterinarian member.

“Indirect supervision” means the direction by a licensed member of another individual who is performing a veterinary medical procedure, where the licensed member need not be on the premises at which the procedure is being performed but must be at least available to receive and respond to any communications from that individual in a manner and with timeliness that are reasonable given the nature and the circumstances of the procedure;

Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE®)

Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE®) is an alternative pathway for veterinarians who are graduates of international, non-accredited veterinary programs, to practice in the United States and Canada. For more information about the PAVE® pathway, please click here.

Funding Opportunities in Manitoba

Various organizations in Manitoba provide support to graduates of unaccredited programs as they pursue obtaining licensure in Manitoba.

– Recognition Counts is a program that provides supports to skilled immigrants wishing to work in their fields of expertise or alternative career in Manitoba. For more information click here.

Professional Immigrant Pilot (PIP) Project- Employment Manitoba- assists skilled/professional immigrants to enter their field of expertise in the Canadian labour market. For more information click here.

Labour Mobility Applicant

For labour mobility applicants, please click here for more information.

Limited Licences

In January 2023, the MVMA Membership voted to allow limited licences for those:

1) That are board certified through the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS), or equivalent

2) That are in a residency program recognized by the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS), or equivalent

3) That are in an internship and supervised by a board certified veterinarian.

For more information, please contact Jo-Anne Holod, Director of Member services at mvmainfo@mvma.ca.

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ABOUT THE MVMA

Mission: To protect the public through the regulation of veterinary medicine, to support our members and to promote the profession in Manitoba.

Vision: A sustainable veterinary community working together to prioritize the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment.

INFORMATION

Become an MVMA Member – Learn about the requirements to become a licensed veterinarian or registered veterinary technologist.

Veterinary Medicine – Find out how veterinary medicine impacts the lives of animals.

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