AVMA accreditation is the standard that matters when choosing a vet school

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits veterinary schools in the United States, Canada, and a handful of other countries. A school with AVMA accreditation has met standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, facilities, and clinical training. Graduates from AVMA-accredited schools are may be able to access to sit for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), which you must pass to practice as a veterinarian in the US or Canada.

Non-accredited schools exist, but their graduates cannot take the NAVLE and cannot become licensed veterinarians in North America. If you attend a non-accredited school, you cannot practice veterinary medicine legally in the United States, even if you complete the degree. This is the single most important distinction between accredited and unaccredited programs.

Key Takeaways

  • AVMA accreditation is required for graduates to sit for the NAVLE licensing exam and practice as veterinarians in the US and Canada.
  • The AVMA accredits 34 schools in the United States and 5 in Canada as of the most recent cycle, though this number can change.
  • Accreditation standards cover curriculum content, faculty credentials, clinical facilities, and hands-on training hours.
  • Schools lose accreditation if they fall below standards, and the AVMA publishes the status of every accredited program on its website.

How the AVMA accreditation process works

The AVMA's Council on Education reviews schools on a regular cycle, typically every seven years. Schools submit detailed self-studies documenting how they meet accreditation standards, and then a team of veterinarians and educators visits the campus to observe classes, clinics, and facilities firsthand. The Council votes on whether to grant, renew, or deny accreditation based on this review.

Schools can receive accreditation with conditions, meaning they must fix specific problems before the next review. A school might be told to hire more faculty in a particular subject, upgrade laboratory equipment, or increase the number of clinical cases students see. If a school does not address these conditions, it can lose accreditation.

The AVMA publishes the accreditation status of every school on its website, including any conditions attached to accreditation. You can look up any school and see exactly what the Council found during the most recent review.

What accreditation standards actually require

AVMA-accredited schools must teach a core curriculum that covers anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, surgery, internal medicine, and other foundational subjects. The school must also provide clinical training where students work with real animals under supervision. The number of clinical cases and hours varies by school, but all accredited programs require substantial hands-on experience before graduation.

Faculty members must hold veterinary degrees or advanced degrees in their teaching field. A professor of surgery, for example, must be a veterinarian with additional training or experience in surgical techniques. Schools must also maintain facilities that support teaching and research — this includes anatomy labs, surgical suites, diagnostic imaging equipment, and animal hospitals or clinics.

Accreditation standards also address admissions practices, student support services, and outcomes tracking. Schools must document that their graduates pass the NAVLE at reasonable rates and that they are finding employment in the field. If a school's pass rate drops significantly, the AVMA may investigate.

The difference between accreditation and ranking

Accreditation is binary: a school either meets AVMA standards or it does not. Ranking is different. Some publications rank veterinary schools by factors like research output, reputation, or selectivity in admissions. A school can be fully accredited and still rank lower than another accredited school in a particular ranking system.

Accreditation tells you the school meets a floor of quality. Ranking tells you how one school compares to others on specific measures. Both matter for different reasons. Accreditation means you can become a licensed veterinarian. Ranking might matter if you want to work in research or specialize in a field where certain schools have stronger programs.

How to verify a school's accreditation status

The AVMA maintains a searchable list of accredited veterinary schools on its website. You can search by school name or location and see the accreditation status, the date of the most recent review, and any conditions or concerns the Council noted. This is the official source — do not rely on a school's own website to confirm accreditation, though accredited schools will display their status prominently.

If a school claims accreditation but does not appear on the AVMA list, it is not accredited by the AVMA. Some schools may claim accreditation by other bodies, but only AVMA accreditation allows graduates to sit for the NAVLE in North America.

International schools and AVMA accreditation

The AVMA accredits a small number of schools outside North America, primarily in countries with close ties to US veterinary practice. Most veterinary schools worldwide are not AVMA-accredited. If you graduate from a non-AVMA-accredited school outside the US, you cannot automatically practice in the United States.

Foreign veterinary graduates can pursue licensure in the US through a different route: they must pass the Foreign Veterinary Graduate Examination (FVGE) and complete additional clinical training, usually a one-year internship. This path is more difficult and takes longer than the standard route for AVMA school graduates. If you are considering an international school, understand that you will face additional barriers to US licensure.

What happens if a school loses accreditation

Schools can lose accreditation if they fail to maintain standards. This is rare but has happened. When a school loses accreditation, current students are usually allowed to finish their degrees, but new students cannot be admitted. Graduates from the school after accreditation is lost cannot sit for the NAVLE.

If you are considering a school that recently lost accreditation or is on probation, understand the risk. You could spend four years and significant money on a degree that does not lead to licensure. Check the AVMA website for any school's current status before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a veterinarian if I graduate from a non-accredited school?

No. You cannot sit for the NAVLE without graduating from an AVMA-accredited school (or completing the foreign graduate pathway). Without the NAVLE, you cannot become licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States or Canada. A degree from a non-accredited school does not lead to licensure in North America.

Does AVMA accreditation may provide I will pass the NAVLE?

No. Accreditation means the school meets standards for teaching and training. Whether you pass the NAVLE depends on your own study and preparation. However, graduates from accredited schools pass the NAVLE at much higher rates than foreign graduates, because the curriculum is designed to prepare you for the exam.

How many AVMA-accredited veterinary schools are there?

There are 34 accredited schools in the United States and 5 in Canada. This number can change if new schools are accredited or existing schools lose accreditation. The AVMA website lists all accredited programs and their current status.

What if a school has accreditation with conditions?

Accreditation with conditions means the school meets overall standards but must fix specific problems before the next review. Graduates from schools with conditions can still sit for the NAVLE. However, if the school does not address the conditions, it may lose accreditation in the future.

Is an AVMA-accredited school better than a non-accredited one?

For becoming a licensed veterinarian in North America, yes — an accredited school is the only viable path. For other purposes, it depends on what you value. But if your goal is to practice as a veterinarian in the US or Canada, accreditation is not optional.