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Veterinary Accreditation |
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Frequently Asked Questions about the National Veterinary Accreditation Program
1. Question: How do I know if I am accredited?
Answer: If you are not sure of your accreditation status, call the Veterinary Services Area Office which services your State. Although you may have attended a Core Orientation session, unless you filled out the application (VS Form 1-36A) and received written approval from the Area-Veterinarian-In-Charge (AVIC) you are not accredited.
2. Question: If I graduated several years ago and think I attended a Core Orientation session at that time, but never became accredited, how do I apply for accreditation now, and do I need to take the Core Orientation again?
Answer: Beginning July 1, 2011, Initial Accreditation Training (IAT) is now required for initial accreditation. Therefore the following applies: (1) If it has been longer than three (3) years since you attended Core Orientation, you will need to complete the prerequisite IAT and then reattend Core Orientation. (2) If it is less than three (3) years since you attended Core Orientation, you will need to complete IAT but not reattend Core Orientation.
Contact your local Area Office for guidance.
3. Question: How much will it cost to become accredited?
Answer: There is no cost for the application or any of the training needed to become accredited.
4. Question: What is the difference between accreditation and authorization?
Answer: Accreditation is a one-time process which gives veterinarians the authority to administer APHIS regulations related to animal health in the State of application. Authorization is the process which provides accredited veterinarians the opportunity to conduct accredited duties in additional States.
5. Question: May I do accredited work in any State in which I am licensed or legally able to practice?
Answer: Once you have completed the accreditation process in one State, you MUST apply for authorization for each State in which you wish to conduct accredited duties. You must be licensed or legally able to practice in the States in which you apply, complete a VS Form 1-36A, and request authorization from the Area-Veterinarian-In-Charge. You may be required to complete a State-specific orientation. You may not perform any accreditation duties until you receive written authorization from the Area-Veterinarian-In-Charge of the State in which you wish to conduct accredited duties.
6. Question: What species of animals may I perform accredited duties upon?
Answer: Category I animals: All animals except: food and fiber species, horses, birds, farm-raised aquatic animals, all other livestock species, and zoo animals that can transmit exotic animal diseases to livestock
Category II animals: All animals
7. Question: How may I change accreditation categories?
Answer: If you are accredited under Category I, you may become accredited under Category II if you apply for accreditation under Category II by completing an application VS Form 1-36A, including certification that you are able to perform the tasks listed in 9 CFR 161.1(g)(2), and submitting it to the Veterinary Services Area Office where you wish to perform accredited duties. You must also have fulfilled the training requirements in 9 CFR 161.3(b) that are associated with renewal of accreditation under Category II.
If you are accredited under Category II, you may become accredited under Category I if you apply for accreditation under Category I by completing an application VS Form 1-36A, including certification that you are able to perform the tasks listed in 9 CFR 161.1(g)(2), and submitting it to the Veterinary Services Area Office where you wish to perform accredited duties. You must also have fulfilled the training requirements in 9 CFR 161.3(b) that are associated with renewal of accreditation under Category I.
8. Question: How might my accreditation expire?
Answer: If accredited veterinarians do not complete required amounts of APHIS-approved supplemental training prior to their assigned renewal date, their accreditation would expire.
9. Question: How would I become re-accredited if my accreditation expires?
Answer: Veterinarians whose accreditation has expired will need to complete a prescribed amount of APHIS-approved supplemental training and submit a VS Form 1-36A to the Veterinary Services Area Office.
10. Question: How much time is a “unit” of APHIS-approved supplemental training?
Answer: One “unit” is equal to approximately one hour of APHIS-approved supplemental training.
11. Question: How is APHIS-approved supplemental training provided?
Answer: Web-based, CD, paper, and lecture formats will be available.
12. Question: How would I fulfill my requirements for APHIS-approved supplemental training?
Answer: APHIS-approved supplemental training (AAST) for renewal of accreditation is available in three formats.
AAST is available on the NVAP website as web-based modules. At the completion of each module, accredited veterinarians should print and complete a "Certificate of Completion." It is essential that accredited veterinarians retain their certificates, as they will be needed for accreditation renewal, and may be requested during periodic training audits.
Accredited veterinarians will have the option of ordering CD or paper versions of the web-based modules for the cost of production and mailing.
AAST will be available as lectures at veterinary meetings and conventions.
13. Question: What happens if I don’t have a computer?
Answer: Contact your local Veterinary Services Area Office.
14. Question: May I use APHIS-approved supplemental training for continuing education for my state license?
Answer: Local, state, and national conferences may work with state licensing boards to obtain approval for acceptance of accreditation training as training for state licensure. This would mean that accreditation training could provide credit for both APHIS-approved supplemental training (AAST) and continuing education (CE) units.
15. Question: How much would accreditation renewal cost?
Answer: Web-based APHIS-approved supplemental training is required for accreditation renewal. It will be available free of charge. However, if you desire a CD or paper version of the training, they will be provided for the cost of production and mailing.
16. Question: How much APHIS-approved supplemental training would be required for each Accreditation Category?
Answer: Category I veterinarians would be required to complete three (3) units of APHIS-approved supplemental training. Category II veterinarians would be required to complete six (6) units of APHIS-approved supplemental training.
17. Question: Will I get a reminder that my accreditation needs to be renewed?
Answer: Yes, along with instructions how to renew your accreditation. If you provided an e-mail address, you will be sent e-mail reminders at six (6), three (3), and one (1) month intervals before your expiration date. If you didn’t provide an e-mail address, we will send you a reminder notice via USPS three (3) months before your expiration date.
18. Question: Where do I submit VS 1-36A?
Answer: VS Form 1-36A is multi-functional. The box you select for your specific need will determine where you submit your form.
Box 1. Initial Accreditation should be sent to the appropriate Veterinary Services Area Office in which you are applying for accreditation for the first time.
Box 2. Authorization in a new State should be sent to the appropriate Veterinary Services Area Office in which you are applying to do accredited work.
Box 3. Choose Accreditation Category should be submitted if you want to change your accreditation category. VS Form 1-36A may be sent to anywhere you are authorized to perform accredited duties. If you are authorized in more than one State, you only need to submit the application to one of the Area Offices.
Box 4. Contact Information Change. If you are changing any of your contact information (name, e-mail address, etc), submit the application to any where you are authorized to perform accredited duties. If you are authorized in more than one State, you need to submit the application to only one of the Area Offices.
Box 5. Do not use this box. Mechanisms for renewal are under development and may not require the use of VS Form 1-36A.
Box 6. Post Revocation Re-accreditation should be submitted to the Veterinary Services Area Office where the action to revoke your accreditation took place.
19. Question: When will I use the National Accreditation Number?
Answer: Your National Accreditation Number will be used at the discretion of the Area Veterinarian in Charge in each state in which you are authorized to perform accredited duties. Contact your Veterinary Services Area Office.
20. Question: Does the National Accreditation Number replace my State accreditation number?
Answer: The National Accreditation Number is intended to replace any State-specific accreditation number you may have been issued in the past, but its use may only be authorized by the Area Veterinarian in Charge in each state in which you perform accredited duties. Check with your Area Veterinarian in Charge before using your National Accreditation Number. Contact your Veterinary Services Area Office.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the NVAP, please contact your local Area Office.
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