Colorado’s New Veterinary Professional Associate Role Finalized—But Not Without Controversy
Colorado has finalized the curriculum for its newly created Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) position, a groundbreaking role aimed at addressing the national shortage of veterinarians. However, despite its approval by voters in 2024, the position has sparked widespread opposition from veterinary professionals who question the adequacy of its training and its potential impact on animal care.
What is a Veterinary Professional Associate?
The VPA role is designed to be an intermediate position between a veterinary technician and a veterinarian, with professionals in this role expected to perform some medical procedures under veterinary supervision. Colorado State University (CSU) has developed the curriculum, which includes:
Three semesters of online coursework
A hands-on lab semester (416 hours of in-person training)
A clinical internship (540 hours in a veterinary clinic)
The program will initially focus on small animal care (dogs and cats), and graduates will be required to pass a credentialing exam before practicing. However, the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is still determining the specific scope of practice for VPAs, meaning their exact responsibilities are still under review.
Veterinary Community Pushback
Despite efforts to ensure VPAs are well-trained, the program has received strong opposition from organizations like the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Critics argue that the compressed educational timeline does not adequately prepare VPAs for the complexities of diagnosing, treating, and performing surgical procedures on animals.
Concerns include:
Limited hands-on experience: The AVMA warns that VPAs would be performing critical medical tasks with significantly less training than veterinarians.
Increased liability for veterinarians: Supervising veterinarians would bear full legal responsibility for any errors made by a VPA.
Resistance within the profession: A survey found that 95% of veterinarians in Colorado opposed the creation of the VPA position, and 93% said they would not hire one.
While the CVMA initially opposed the proposition, it now encourages veterinary professionals to help shape regulationsto ensure the role is properly structured and implemented.
Legislative Action and Next Steps
In response to ongoing concerns, Colorado lawmakers have introduced the Veterinary Workforce Requirement Bill, which aims to set clear restrictions on what VPAs can and cannot do. If passed, the bill would require that:
VPAs only perform procedures within their training, experience, and competency.
All delegated veterinary medical tasks comply with state and federal laws.
VPAs work on-site with a supervising veterinarian at all times.
Informed consent is obtained from pet owners before a VPA provides treatment.
The bill is scheduled for review by the Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee on March 10.
Public Comment Period Open
As DORA continues its rule-making process, the public has the opportunity to submit comments on the regulations that will define the VPA’s role. Veterinary professionals and pet owners are encouraged to provide input to help shape the future of the program.
Whether seen as a practical solution to a veterinary shortage or a risk to animal health, the VPA position is set to reshape Colorado’s veterinary landscape. The coming months will determine the extent of its impact and how it is received within the profession.
