AI adoption in veterinary clinics rose from 39 percent to 84 percent in two yearsResting cortisol tracked APPLE scores but not mortality in 30 SIRS dogsFetch Pet Insurance bundles four annual telehealth visits into every policy at no added premiumPregabalin before spay raised sedation scores 2.46 points in 54 catsParasight System wins preferred-provider deal with 850-hospital independent practice networkVeterinary economist Matt Salois says practices cannot rely on pricing growth into 2027WSAVA publishes updated dental guidelines with trauma and radiographic sectionsDechra launches Laverdia, the first FDA-approved oral treatment for canine lymphomaAI adoption in veterinary clinics rose from 39 percent to 84 percent in two yearsResting cortisol tracked APPLE scores but not mortality in 30 SIRS dogsFetch Pet Insurance bundles four annual telehealth visits into every policy at no added premiumPregabalin before spay raised sedation scores 2.46 points in 54 catsParasight System wins preferred-provider deal with 850-hospital independent practice networkVeterinary economist Matt Salois says practices cannot rely on pricing growth into 2027WSAVA publishes updated dental guidelines with trauma and radiographic sectionsDechra launches Laverdia, the first FDA-approved oral treatment for canine lymphoma
The WireBy The VeterinaryPracticeNow Desk2 min readSeptember 14, 2026
Education Department proposes accreditation rules that would bar AVMA from COE oversight
The proposal shifts accreditation toward outcomes over inputs, references antitrust concerns involving AVMA and Lincoln Memorial, and sets a Sept. 21 comment deadline.
The U.S. Department of Education proposed regulations that would bar trade associations from all accreditation funding, staffing, oversight, decision-making, appointments, and policymaking. According to Today's Veterinary Business, "under the new framework, organizations such as the AVMA would have no role in funding, staffing, oversight, decision-making, appointments, or policymaking related to accreditation," and the proposal would allow multiple accreditors to compete in the same field. The proposal shifts accreditation away from prescriptive input requirements toward performance and outcomes, with stated goals of reducing costs and encouraging innovation.
Today's Veterinary Business reports that "the DOE also referenced antitrust concerns involving the AVMA and Lincoln Memorial University." Comments are due Sept. 21, with formal adoption expected to follow and implementation running through July 2027. Current accreditors remain in place during the interim.
What the proposal does to the AVMA COE structure
The proposed regulations would remove the AVMA from any funding, staffing, oversight, decision-making, appointments, or policymaking related to accreditation. The AVMA told Today's Veterinary Business it "characterized the rulemaking as potentially sweeping for accreditors such as the COE" and "has been examining what the changes could mean for veterinary education and accreditation."
Dr. Jesse M. Hostetter, COE chair, said in a statement to AVMA News: "We will make any necessary changes to the COE, as outlined by the U.S. DOE's proposed rules, once they are confirmed and established. The COE will continue to champion rigorous accreditation standards that promote excellence in veterinary medical education."
The statement does not address how the COE would operate under the new restrictions on trade association involvement, or whether the AVMA would pursue a restructured accreditation entity separate from the association itself. We're reading the statement as signaling continuity without explaining compliance. The COE says it will champion rigorous standards, but the proposed rules would remove the AVMA from the apparatus that sets and enforces those standards.
The distance education opening
According to Today's Veterinary Business, "new language included in the regulations aims to reduce barriers to technology and alternative educational models so institutions can adopt practices that improve student access and accelerate degree completion." For veterinary colleges, that opens the door to distance components in DVM programs.
The shift to outcomes-based accreditation could change what training looks like for the next generation of graduates. Our read: the move away from prescriptive requirements is the right direction in theory, but the transition period could produce real variance in how veterinary colleges structure their programs.
The proposal cited antitrust concerns involving the AVMA and Lincoln Memorial University and includes restrictions that would remove trade associations from accreditation activities. Whether the COE can restructure to meet the new requirements while maintaining current standards, or whether competing accreditors become an option for schools, is what the comment period and implementation timeline will determine.
The comment period closes Sept. 21. Formal adoption is expected to follow, with implementation running through July 2027. Today's Veterinary Business reports that "questions remain about how multiple accreditors would operate, how veterinary medicine would navigate the new framework, and what role organizations such as the AVMA and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges would ultimately play."
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