Nation’s Largest Vet School Sues AVMA, Claims Accreditation System Hurts Pet Owners and Blocks New Veterinarians

A major legal battle is brewing in veterinary education, and it could have far-reaching consequences for pet owners, aspiring veterinarians, and the entire animal care industry. Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), home to the largest veterinary school in the United States, has filed a federal lawsuit against the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)—accusing the organization of using its accreditation system to restrict competition and limit the number of practicing veterinarians.

According to the suit, the AVMA’s Council on Education (COE) has created unreasonable, exclusionary barriers that make it nearly impossible for new or innovative veterinary schools to gain accreditation—stifling growth in the profession during a time of critical shortages.

What’s the Lawsuit About?

Filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, the lawsuit claims the AVMA is leveraging its accreditation monopoly to:

  • Block new schools from entering the veterinary education space

  • Limit the number of graduating veterinarians in the U.S.

  • Decrease competition among existing vet schools

  • Restrict consumer access to affordable and timely animal healthcare

LMU argues that the AVMA’s demands—such as requiring costly research infrastructure unrelated to clinical veterinary training—are deliberately impossible for tuition-funded programs to meet.

A Question of Monopoly Power

The complaint accuses the AVMA of violating antitrust laws by maintaining control over who can educate and graduate new veterinarians in the U.S. It suggests that the association has created a closed system that benefits a handful of elite schools while shutting out innovative programs looking to train day-one-ready veterinarians using modern, practical approaches.

LMU says the AVMA’s requirements have drifted from what’s truly necessary for vet students to succeed in clinical practice—like hands-on experience, mentorship, and access to patients—and instead prioritize academic research infrastructure that adds significant cost but little benefit to general practice training.

What Comes Next?

The case could lead to a broader examination of how veterinary schools are accredited in the U.S. and whether the current system supports or stifles innovation. It may also prompt discussion about how best to solve the veterinarian shortage—whether through new schools, alternative pathways, or reforming the existing standards.

For now, LMU’s lawsuit puts a spotlight on a growing tension in animal healthcare: how to balance quality education, fair market access, and the urgent needs of America’s pets and livestock. If successful, the case could reshape the future of veterinary education—and expand access to care for millions.

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