Accreditation of Veterinarians 



It has become increasingly apparent that 

 communicable diseases of livestock cannot be 

 controlled or eradicated on a herd basis alone. 

 The manner of disease spread is complex. 

 Eradication requires the i)articipation of vet- 

 erinarians in many segments of the profession. 

 In recognition of this need, the Division and 

 the State regulatory offices have relied heavily 

 on veterinary jjractitioners to supplement the 

 disea.se control activities of State and Federal 

 veterinarians. Evidence of this reliance ap- 

 pears in mo.st State and Federal i-egulations, 

 which specify that certain movements can be 

 made when certified by a full-time State or 

 Federal veterinarian or an accredited veteri- 

 narian. 



Considerable technical analysis goes into the 

 development of animal di.sease control regu- 

 lations. Clearly, State and Federal govern- 

 ments are delegating an important responsi- 

 bility to the accredited veterinarians of the 

 Nation. The certificates they aie empowered 

 to issue are extremely important in preventing 

 the spread of livestock diseases. 



Approved and accredifed veterinarians 



The former Bureau of Animal Industry for 

 many years recognized accreditation of veteri- 

 narians. The need became evident .soon after 

 the inauguration of the tuberculosis eradica- 

 tion program in 1917. 



A list was compiled of "approved" veteri- 

 narians who were authorized to conduct 

 tuberculosis tests on cattle de.stined for inter- 

 state movement. "Approved" veterinarians 

 were those who had received instruction in 

 te.sting techniques, so that reliance could be 

 placed on their ability to approve the interstate 

 movement of cattle in connection with tuber- 

 culosis eradication. Later, lists of "approved" 

 and "accredited" veterinarians were developed. 

 The differentiation was: The "approved" vet- 

 erinarian was qualified to perform the tuber- 



culosis test, but it was necessary that he be 

 "accredited" to issue intenstate certificates. 



Even in the early days, it was recognized 

 that the receiving State officials had to place 

 confidence in a health certificate issued by a 

 practicing veterinarian in the originating 

 State. As requirements for accreditation were 

 developed, and standards for its maintenance 

 were recognized. State and Federal regulations 

 placed increasing responsibility on the accred- 

 ited veterinarian to assure the healthy status 

 of livestock in domestic and international tran- 

 sit. Unquestionably, the perfoiniance of 

 accredited veterinarians has improved through 

 the years that this classification has been in 

 effect. 



In the early days an accreditation examina- 

 tion was given by the Bureau of Animal 

 Industry. This was later discontinued. 

 Eventually, the responsibility of determining 

 practitionei- qualification was delegated to the 

 State and Federal officials in charge of disea.se 

 control and eradication activities in the locality 

 where the practicing veterinarian desired ac- 

 creditation. They detei'mine the applicant's 

 knowledge of interstate and export require- 

 ments and his ability to conduct tests and 

 examinations according to e.stablished policies. 



Recommendation is then made to the Direc- 

 tor of the Animal Di.sease Eradication Division 

 that the practicing veterinaiian be accredited 

 in that State. A further check by the Division 

 is made to determine that the basic require- 

 ments of accreditation are satisfied. 



Requirements for accreditation 



(1) The applicant must be a graduate of a 

 school approved by the Depaitment of Agri- 

 culture. 



(2) The ai)plicant must be licensed in the 

 State where accreditation is desired. 



(3) The applicant mu.st have demonstrated 

 to the satisfaction of the State and Federal 



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