Since CVMA’s April update on the implementation of Proposition 129, the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (SBVM) has taken another significant step in establishing the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role in Colorado.
At its June 11 meeting, the SBVM decided to create an MoU with AAVSB to develop the national exam rather than issue a Request for Proposals to select an organization to create the national exam. The SBVM also appointed an Ad Hoc subcommittee of members to develop the MOU; that subcommittee met on July 29 and discussed the MOU. The board will consider designating an organization to provide credentialing services at its August 13 meeting.
Why This Decision Matters
The competency examination is one of the foundational elements of the new VPA. It will test the knowledge and competencies expected of future VPAs and will play an important role in ensuring a consistent, credible pathway to licensure.
Stakeholder Discussion
During the Board’s review, stakeholders raised questions about AAVSB’s previously adopted policy position regarding VPAs and whether it presented a potential conflict of interest. After additional discussion, the Board determined that those concerns should be considered separately from AAVSB’s expertise and longstanding experience developing high-stakes licensing examinations for veterinary regulatory boards.
How This Connects to CVMA’s Previous Input
In April, CVMA encouraged the Board to:
• Use a clear and transparent evaluation process when selecting examination and credentialing partners.
• Maintain strong governance and conflict-of-interest safeguards.
• Clearly define the VPA scope of practice before finalizing examination content.
Those principles continue to guide CVMA’s engagement. While selecting an examination developer is an important milestone, additional rulemaking, including defining scope of practice and selecting a credentialing organization, remains ahead.
What Happens Next?
Several important implementation steps are still underway:
• August 13: The SBVM is expected to consider selection of a credentialing organization.
• Rulemaking establish the VPA scope of practice and other implementation details.
• AAVSB estimates that development of a new licensing examination will take approximately one year.
• Colorado State University online classes for the first cohort of students in its master’s program in Veterinary Clinical Care will begin on August 24, 2026.
CVMA Will Continue to Keep Members Informed
CVMA remains actively engaged throughout the implementation process. Our focus continues to be on supporting a regulatory framework that is transparent, legally defensible, practical for veterinary teams, and protective of high-quality patient care across Colorado.
As additional decisions are made, we will continue providing members with timely updates.