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AVMA COE Decision to Remove DEI Reporting Requirements
June 3, 2025
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is strongly committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and, as such, would like to keep our membership informed about new developments in this area in the United States.
Recently, the organization that accredits veterinary schools, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE), withdrew its requirement for colleges to report on DEI activities.
This decision raised some concerns within the profession and PrideVMC published an open letter in response. The AVMA clarified its decision with this update.
The CVMA continues to monitor the situation and reaffirms its support for wellness, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our profession.
The CVMA and AVMA-COE
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (AVMA COE) accredits DVM or equivalent educational programs. The AVMA COE assures minimum standards in veterinary medical education are met by all AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges and students enrolled in these colleges receive education which will prepare them for entry-level positions in the profession. The National Examining Board (NEB) participates with the COE in the accreditation process through annual evaluations and regular on-site inspections to ensure colleges meet COE-established standards.
Graduates of COE-accredited colleges are required to take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to obtain a Certificate of Qualification (CQ) through the NEB. Successful completion of the NAVLE or receipt of a Certificate of Qualification is a prerequisite to apply for a general license to practice from any of the provincial veterinary licensing bodies of Canada.