Let’s Act Quickly on These Critical Issues

In a recent column for Today’s Veterinary Business, Mark Cushing makes a case that the veterinary profession is hampered by two fixable policy failures: restrictive license portability rules and the absence of a Spanish-language version of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).

Cushing argues that outdated, state-by-state licensing barriers unnecessarily limit veterinarians’ ability to move where they are most needed — despite equivalent education, testing, and professional standards. At a time of widespread workforce shortages and access-to-care challenges, these restrictions reduce flexibility, increase costs, and ultimately harm pet owners.

He also highlights the growing disconnect between the veterinary workforce and the rapidly expanding Spanish-speaking population in the United States. With millions of pet owners facing language barriers, and only a small percentage of practices equipped to serve them effectively, Cushing points to the lack of a Spanish-language NAVLE as a missed opportunity to strengthen care delivery, inclusion, and public trust.

Drawing on recent demographic data, professional policy actions, and ongoing advocacy efforts, Cushing calls for coordinated reform by state boards, legislators, and professional organizations. His message is that improving access to veterinary care does not require reinventing the system, it requires removing unnecessary barriers and modernizing it to reflect today’s workforce and communities.