Each state has it’s own set of laws and regulations for veterinary medicine. The laws are called Veterinary Practice Acts. Although the Practice Acts vary by state all practice acts define licensing and educational requirements for each state.
State legislators guided by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners set up these regulations. The Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners are a group of veterinarians appointed by the Governor to oversee veterinary medicine.
There are many aspects of the animal Field that are regulated by the law. The animal health industry it’s self is governed by a branch of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) called the Center of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary practices are watched over by the EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. OSHA ( Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Labor protect the rights of workers in the veterinary field. Animals used for biomedical research are protected by agencies like the Public Health Service (PHS), and national Institute of Health (NIH). While laboratory animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Welfare Act is enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or APHIS. The DEA or Drug Enforcement Administration, a division of the Department of Justice, enforces the Controlled Substance Act in which controls certain medications in the veterinary medical field.
All veterinarians must graduate from and AVMA or American Veterinary Medical Association, approved school. Most students complete 4 years and receive a college science degree followed by four more years of veterinary school.The AVMA also accredits college training programs for veterinarians, and veterinary technicians.
