The growing push to establish a veterinary midlevel practitioner, or a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA), has raised significant concern across the profession. While framed as a solution to veterinary workforce shortages, these proposals introduce serious questions about training standards, patient safety, and the potential impact on veterinary team dynamics. As your professional association, we remain firmly opposed to the creation of a midlevel practitioner that blur the lines of veterinary responsibility and compromise care. This page offers background on the issue, updates on legislative and regulatory developments, and resources to support your advocacy in protecting the integrity of veterinary medicine.
AAEP joined other national veterinary organizations and the 50 state veterinary medical associations in opposition to establishment of a midlevel position:
AAEP Midlevel Task Force
The AAEP convened a Midlevel Practitioner Task Force in 2024 to guide the Association’s response to growing efforts to establish a veterinary midlevel practitioner role. The task force evaluated the potential impacts of such a role on equine practice, patient safety, and the veterinary team. It developed key messages to support the AAEP’s opposition, identified opportunities to collaborate with other veterinary organizations, and recommended strategies to educate members about the risks associated with midlevel proposals. The task force also advised on communication tools and member resources to ensure consistent, informed advocacy across the equine veterinary community.
Current state of MLP
As of May 2025, the concept of a veterinary midlevel practitioner, or Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA), is actively progressing in Colorado, while facing significant opposition and limited adoption elsewhere in the United States.
Colorado: Implementation Underway
In November 2024, Colorado voters approved Proposition 129, establishing the VPA role. VPAs are envisioned as midlevel professionals who, under veterinary supervision, can diagnose, treat, and perform certain medical procedures and surgeries. The intent behind this initiative is to address veterinary shortages, particularly in underserved areas.
Colorado State University (CSU) has developed a curriculum for the VPA, culminating in a Master’s in Veterinary Clinical Care (MSB VCC). The program spans five semesters: the first three are fully online, the fourth involves intensive on-campus laboratory work, and the fifth consists of a clinical internship. The inaugural class is set to begin in fall 2025, with graduates expected by 2027.
Proposed regulations (4 CCR 727-1) and newly enacted legislation (CO HB25-1285) will outline requirements for the VPA in Colorado.
Despite voter approval, the VPA role has encountered opposition from veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). Critics express concerns about the adequacy of training for VPAs, particularly regarding their ability to perform complex tasks such as surgery.
National Landscape: Limited Adoption and Ongoing Debate
Outside Colorado, no other state has implemented a VPA or similar midlevel veterinary role but related legislation has been introduced in Florida (FL C.S./H.B. 729 and FL C.S./S.B. 652) the last two legislative sessions. While discussions about addressing veterinary workforce shortages continue, many veterinary associations advocate for alternative solutions, such as enhancing the utilization and education of licensed veterinary technicians. The situation continues to evolve as stakeholders assess the implications of introducing this new category of veterinary professional.
