Practice & PIPS
Practice Inspection & Practice Standards
PIPS supports the ABVMA’s regulatory role by overseeing the certification, inspection, and ongoing compliance of Veterinary Practice Entities (VPEs) in Alberta.
Practices & permits
What do you need to do?
In this section
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Overview
Introduction to PIPS
The Practice Inspection and Practice Standards (PIPS) department oversees the certification, inspection, and ongoing compliance of Veterinary Practice Entities (VPEs) in Alberta. PIPS works with veterinarians, permit holders, and practice teams to help ensure VPEs meet established practice standards, maintain appropriate permits, and follow requirements related to ownership, operations, diagnostic imaging, and annual renewals.
Through application review, inspections, guidance, and compliance support, PIPS helps promote consistent, safe, and professional veterinary practice across the province.
Ownership of a Veterinary Practice Entity (VPE)
Under the Veterinary Profession Act, the ABVMA is responsible for the certification and inspection of VPEs in Alberta. A VPE can be owned by:
- one or more registered, unrestricted individual veterinarians as a sole-proprietorship or partnership, or
- one or more corporations that hold ABVMA permits.
Sole proprietorships and partnerships are increasingly rare, as most veterinarians incorporate — forming a numbered or named corporation through which they own their VPE.
Practice Standards
Each VPE in Alberta must comply with the Practice Inspection and Practice Standards Bylaw.
Open a new VPE
How the application process works
New VPE applications are required at least two months prior to your projected opening date.
1
2+ months before opening
Part One — New Practice Application
Complete Part One and pay the application fee, including your proposed VPE name (owner or Responsible Veterinarian only). The name goes to the PIPS Committee for approval — wait for written confirmation before printing stationery, making signs, or marketing.
2
4+ weeks before opening
Part Two + Quality Assurance Guide
Complete Part Two and the QA Guide on the VPE Applicant Portal once your name is approved. Bring the completed QA Guide to the pre-opening inspection, then apply for distribution accounts (WDDC / CDMV).
3
Several days before opening
Pre-opening PIPS inspection
Pass the pre-opening inspection, which focuses on the physical practice and your medical-record and log templates. ABVMA advises whether the VPE has provisional approval to open.
4
After pre-opening
Annual renewal
Complete the annual online VPE renewal (and radiation program, if applicable) and pay the associated fees on your VPE portal.
5
3–6 months after opening
Post-opening PIPS inspection
A follow-up inspection focused on day-to-day operations and management of medical records and logs.
Corporate permit
Permit for a Corporation
Any corporation with veterinarian shareholders participating in the ownership of a VPE (in whole or in part), or providing veterinary services as an employee, locum, or contractor through a corporation, must be approved as an ABVMA permit holder. Depending on the corporate structure, multiple permits may be required.
Before you apply, gather this information
- ✓A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (Government of Alberta Registrar of Corporations).
- ✓A document listing shareholder name(s) and voting-share percentages (see the options below).
- ✓All documents attached to the online application so it can proceed to approval.
Shareholder document — choose one
Most recent Annual Return▼
A copy of the most recent Annual Return from the Government of Alberta.
Lawyer/accountant letter or shareholder register▼
A letter or shareholder register signed by your lawyer or accountant, listing shareholder names and voting-share percentages. It must be signed by a lawyer or carry the law firm’s logo. If the share class isn’t stated as voting, also attach the articles.
Proof of Filing (new corporations)▼
For recently formed corporations without an Annual Return or lawyer-signed documents: register your shareholders with an Alberta registry agent and request a Proof of Filing showing shareholders and voting shares.
51% voting-share rule
A registered, unrestricted veterinarian — or an approved ABVMA permit holder — must hold at least 51% of the voting shares of the corporation. Permit applications must be approved before the pre-opening PIPS inspection.
Fees
VPE & permit fees
Fees shown for illustration — confirm current amounts before publication.
Need a hand?
Questions about practices or permits?
The PIPS team is happy to help with applications, inspections, and compliance.