The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), administers the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP). This voluntary program certifies private veterinary practitioners to work cooperatively with Federal veterinarians and State animal health officials.

Producers that export animals rely on the expertise of accredited veterinarians to help ensure that exported animals will not introduce diseases into another State or country. The accreditation program has served the animal industry well for many years and remains integral to their future growth.

There are currently 60,000+ active accredited veterinarians in the national database. Accredited veterinarians are instrumental in increasing our capability to perform competent health certifications and to maintain extensive disease surveillance and monitoring.

Mission Statement

The mission of the NVAP is to ensure the health of the nations' livestock and animal population and to protect the public health and well being.

Goal

The goal of the NVAP is to maintain the effective cooperation and utilization of private veterinary practitioners for regulatory work in a manner that is consistent with international trade requirements and safeguarding animal health.

Private practitioners were first used to perform regulatory work in 1907 when a large number of horses were exported to Canada. As there were inadequate numbers of Federal veterinarians to meet these demands, the Canadian government agreed to accept health inspections and certifications performed by private practitioners qualified by the Bureau of Animal Industry (now APHIS). The services of practicing veterinarians were used again in 1917 when the Tuberculosis Eradication program was established. However, the accreditation program officially began in 1921, when USDA, Bureau of Animal Industry, administered the first accreditation examination to certify practitioners as representatives of the Federal government.

USDA established the veterinary accreditation program so private practitioners could assist Federal veterinarians in controlling animal diseases. Today, accredited veterinarians and State animal health officials work cooperatively in the NVAP.

On November 23, 1992, APHIS established accreditation on a national basis rather than on a State-by-State basis. Creating this national system has ensured enough accredited veterinarians are available across the country. The national system also standardized the accreditation procedures and requirements allowing for more uniform administration of the program.

Accredited veterinarians are the backbone of U.S. regulatory programs for livestock and poultry diseases. The responsibilities of an accredited veterinarian are extraordinary. In fact, the United States depends extensively upon the accredited veterinarian for official functions, e.g., inspecting, testing, and certifying animals. More than 80 percent of all U.S. veterinarians are accredited.

Voluntary Participation

Participation in the NVAP is voluntary. It is not mandated by the Federal Government. Accredited veterinarians participating in NVAP must carry out their duties according to the Standards for Accredited Veterinarian Duties in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 161.