1. SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE AVMA OFFICE

   • The Name of the Practice (The name will need to be forwarded to the AVMA Council for approval)
   • Proposed Opening Date
   • Type or Classification of the Practice (Small Animal, Large Animal, etc.)
   • Mailing Address
   • Physical Location Address
   • Telephone Number
   • Fax Number
   • Email Address
   • Owner(s) of the facility (all veterinary facilities must be owned by a member of the AVMA or a corporation with a valid permit to practice).
   • Application Form
     
     
     
     
2. NAME APPROVAL
   Once the name has been reviewed for consideration and approved by the AVMA Council you will be informed, in writing, of the decision. It is advised that you do not have stationary printed, signs made, etc until the name has been approved.
   
   

   	AVMA Bylaw re: Name Approval “Article XV, e), f), g)”
   e)	A facility or entity offering veterinary services to the public shall, prior to the use of any practice name which the facility or entity wishes to use, have its name approved by Council. Council shall be granted the right to ensure that there is no breach of any provisions of the By-laws or Regulations with respect to ethical conduct or general advertising regulations in assessing any proposed practice name.
   f)	Each facility or entity offering veterinary services shall clearly indicate in their name that veterinary services are provided to the public.
   g)	Council is authorized and has the authority to refuse the approval of any practice name that: i) is misleading; ii) is in bad taste, self laudatory, or otherwise contrary to the honour and dignity of the veterinary profession; iii) suggest any abuse of trust; iv) is suggestive of any specialty unless the facility or entity has specific board certification; v) claims superiority; vi) claims any guarantee.

   
   

   Download the Practice or Facility Approval Form.

   
   
   
   
   
3. PERMIT TO PRACTICE
   

   If you will be forming a Limited Company or Corporation, you will need to fill out an “Application By Corporation For Permit To Practice Veterinary Medicine”. Please note that a Registered AVMA Member must own the majority of shares of the permit. Once the application has been reviewed for consideration and approved by the AVMA Council you will be informed, in writing, of the decision.

   If any shares in this Corporation or a Practice are owned by a Corporation under the control of a veterinarian, than each of these Corporations must have an individual “Permit To Practice”

   Download the Permit to Practice Form.

   A copy of the “Certificate of Incorporation” from an Alberta Registrar of Corporations must be submitted with your application.

   To search for a Registry near you go to: http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/ra/ran.cfm

    

4. X-RAY REGISTRATION
   

   If you are opening a facility that has an x-ray machine you will need to have it inspected by an authorized inspection agency and fill out an “Application For The Registration Of X-Ray Equipment”. A list of the agencies and an application form are provided in the AVMA Resource Manual which will be distributed to you upon approval of your Practice Name and Proposal. Upon completion of the inspection, you must forward this inspection report to the AVMA Office who will process a Certificate Of Registration to be displayed in your practice.

   In the case of an existing practice, reinspection is required at the designated date when no change to the installation has occurred.
   
   

5. QUALITY ASSURANCE & PRACTICE INSPECTION

   You will receive a Self Verification Guide, which must be completed and returned to the AVMA Office. It must be reviewed and approved by the Practice Inspection & Practice Standards (PIPS) Committee before your opening date. Arrangements will be made for an in-person inspection soon after you open.

   Please Note: Your Practice must meet all inspection requirements PRIOR to your first day of operation as a veterinary facility.

   2007 PIPS INSPECTION FEES
   1.	Renewal Inspection		$151.43 + $7.57 (GST) = $ 159.00 a year
   	These include existing practices 3-year renewal inspection.
   	or
   	A change in ownership
   2.	New Practice Inspection		One time $193.67 (Including Tax)
   	Establishment of a new practice
   3.	Radiation Equipment		$90.00 (includes GST)
   	Registration and renewal of all radiation equipment

For further information regarding the PIPS Bylaws please refer to the AVMA Website Section Legislation/Bylaws

	Download the Permit to Practice Form.
	Download the Practice or Facility Approval Form.