Scope of Practice

Scope of practice issues continue to shape the landscape of veterinary medicine and have important implications for equine practitioners. Efforts to expand the roles of non-veterinarians—such as the newly created midlevel practitioner in Colorado, lay dentists, and chiropractors—raise critical questions about training, supervision, accountability, and the delivery of high-quality care.

The AAEP strongly opposes legislation that would allow nonveterinarians to practice veterinary medicine. We are actively monitoring and responding to legislative and regulatory efforts that could alter the scope of veterinary practice, particularly proposals that blur professional lines or introduce new roles without sufficient education or safeguards. This page provides updates and resources to help members stay informed and engaged on this evolving issue.