Missouri Veterinary Board

For every Missouri resident who relies on a licensed veterinarian to care for their cherished animals, the **Missouri Veterinary Medical Board (MVB)** serves a critical, though often unseen, function. Located in the state's capital, this board is not a clinic but is the official regulatory agency established under the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. Its primary, overarching mission is to protect the public health and safety, promoting the general welfare of the people of Missouri and their animals.

The MVB achieves this by rigorously overseeing the standards of the veterinary profession throughout the state. This means ensuring that only **qualified** individuals are licensed to practice **Veterinary Services**, that these professionals maintain their competency through required **Continuing Education**, and that they adhere to a strict code of conduct. The Board’s foundational role is to protect the public from incompetence, misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, misrepresentation, or dishonesty within the practice of veterinary medicine.

For consumers, the MVB is the official body to turn to when questions or concerns about a licensed veterinarian or a veterinary facility arise. The board examines and evaluates the minimum competency of practitioners before licensure and enforces standards by implementing state legislation and administrative rules. In short, the MVB is the administrative engine that underpins public trust in the professional practice of veterinary care across Missouri.

It is important to note that, as a government regulatory body, the MVB must operate within the strict confines of Missouri law and established administrative procedures. While the Board investigates every formal complaint regarding alleged violations of the Veterinary Medical Practice Act, any disciplinary action taken must be supported by sufficient **evidence** and legal grounds. The process of investigating complaints is thorough, but the outcome—which is based on adherence to statute—may sometimes be emotionally difficult for pet owners who have suffered a negative experience. The Board’s commitment is to the enforcement of the law to maintain the integrity of the profession for all citizens and their pets statewide.

Although the MVB's central focus is on veterinary professionals, the information provided indicates it is a comprehensive regulatory office that also oversees licensing and standards for a number of related **Health Care** professions, including **Athletic Trainers**, **Physical Therapists**, **Massage Therapy**, **Therapeutic Massage**, **Respiratory Care**, and **Social Workers**. This multi-faceted regulatory role underscores its importance in maintaining professional standards across several critical service sectors in Missouri.

Location and Accessibility

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Board is centrally located within the state's capital, making it accessible for administrative and official business.

• Address: 3605 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City, MO 65109, USA

As a state office within the Division of Professional Registration, the facility adheres to state guidelines for accessibility, ensuring that all citizens and professionals can conduct business efficiently and comfortably.

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom
• A clean Restroom is available for public use

For any necessary in-person business, appointments are recommended to ensure that the appropriate staff member is available to assist with specific inquiries related to licenses, renewals, or official filings.

Services Offered

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Board provides a range of essential regulatory and administrative services for both the public and veterinary professionals.

Key services provided by the MVB include:

• Licensing and Registration: Examining and determining qualifications for the initial licensing of **Veterinary Services** practitioners, including veterinarians, and providing for the registration of veterinary technicians.
• Facility Permits: Issuing permits required for all veterinary facilities operating in the state of Missouri.
• Regulatory Enforcement: Enforcing the Missouri Veterinary Medical Practice Act and administrative rules, including issuing, renewing, denying, suspending, revoking, or otherwise disciplining licenses and facility permits based on legal findings.
• Consumer Protection: Serving as the official body where members of the public can file a formal complaint regarding alleged incompetence, misconduct, gross negligence, or fraud by a licensed professional or facility.
• Professional Development Oversight: Mandating and tracking **Continuing Education** requirements for licensed veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians to ensure ongoing competency in the practice of **Veterinary Services**.
• Administrative Services for Other Health Professions: While primarily focused on veterinary medicine, the Board’s administrative office also supports the regulation of other health-related fields, including **Athletic Trainers**, **Physical Therapists**, **Massage Therapy**, and **Social Workers**.

Features and Highlights

As the main regulatory body for the profession in Missouri, the MVB offers several features that are crucial for public assurance and professional integrity:

• **Public Protection Focus:** The core mission is to safeguard the public from unqualified or unethical practitioners, ensuring that licensed individuals meet minimum competency standards by examination and evaluation.
• **Required Continuing Education:** By mandating annual **Continuing Education** hours, the Board ensures that Missouri veterinarians stay current with the latest medical knowledge and techniques, directly benefiting the quality of **Veterinary Services** offered to local pets and livestock.
• **Centralized Complaint System:** The Board provides a legally required and accessible process for citizens to report professional misconduct or malpractice, initiating a formal investigation into serious concerns.
• **Regulation of Multiple Health Fields:** The administrative body's oversight of numerous other **Health Care** and therapeutic professions—such as **Physical Therapists** and **Respiratory Care**—demonstrates a commitment to upholding standards across a broad spectrum of licensed service providers.
• **Full Legal Authority:** The MVB has the statutory authority to issue disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of a license, ensuring that serious misconduct is addressed legally and removing unqualified practitioners from practice.

Contact Information

For any official inquiries related to veterinary licensing, facility permits, **Continuing Education** requirements, or to file a complaint, please use the following contact details:

• Primary Phone: (573) 751-0031
• Mailing Address: 3605 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City, MO 65109, USA (Note: Correspondence often utilizes a P.O. Box for security and processing, but the physical address is 3605 Missouri Blvd.)

What is Worth Choosing the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board (MVB) as a Resource

While the MVB is a regulatory entity rather than a service provider, choosing to utilize it as a resource is essential for any responsible Missouri pet owner or aspiring veterinary professional. For consumers, the Board provides assurance that the veterinarian or veterinary facility you choose is legally licensed and subject to state standards of practice. This oversight is a crucial layer of protection, especially when dealing with the sensitive matter of your pet’s **Health Care**.

The MVB is the ultimate arbiter of professional conduct in Missouri's **Veterinary Services** sector. If you ever have concerns that a professional has violated the standards of practice, the Board offers the only official, legal avenue for investigation and potential disciplinary action. Even though the process of reporting can be difficult, as demonstrated by the passionate feedback from some citizens, the Board's strict reliance on legal **evidence** and statute-based enforcement is what ultimately ensures fairness and long-term integrity for the entire profession, protecting future pet owners from similar issues.

In effect, choosing to interact with only state-licensed professionals and utilizing the MVB’s public services—such as checking license status or filing a formal complaint—is how local users participate in and benefit from the state’s regulatory framework, contributing to a higher standard of animal care across Missouri.

Missouri Veterinary Board

3605 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City, MO 65109, USA