• Animal Health
 /  
• Veterinary Accreditation

Why Should I Become Accredited in the National Veterinary Accreditation Program?

The National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) gives accredited veterinarians (AVs) opportunities to assist USDA in carrying out programs designed to safeguard public and animal health.   

The most important benefits to the AV include

• Enhanced professional knowledge with up-to-date information on animal health and foreign animal diseases for all animals, food security, and regulatory issues;
  
  
• Continued acceptance of official work performed by AVs in international markets;
  
  
• Ability to choose level of accreditation program participation and tailor accredited activity to practice type;
  
  
• Notification of and ability to participate in State-Federal agricultural emergency response efforts;
  
  
• Ability to receive supplemental training without cost;
  
  
• Opportunity to be a local resource for USDA information in the media, and
  
  
• Increased marketability of remunerative services to clients.

Remember that

…only AVs can prepare Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) or "health papers", in most cases, so animals can move across state or international borders to participate, for example, in fairs and shows.

…only AVs may perform testing for government program diseases, such as brucellosis and tuberculosis.  Becoming accredited allows you to do these tests and other disease control work for USDA.

…in some states, only AVs can give rabies vaccines; and

…in the United States, AVs provide the front line in defending our country from emerging and foreign animal diseases.

Still have questions?

For import/export questions, contact your National Import Export Service Center.

For NVAP questions, see Additional Information or contact your local NVAP Coordinator or email the NVAP at nvap@aphis.usda.gov.