The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating its regulations for the accredited veterinarian program in order to clarify program definitions.

APHIS said these administrative changes will ensure that the terminology in the regulation is consistent with how the terms are being used in the accreditation program. The changes will also ensure that the regulation contains an accurate list of all the programs covered under the Animal Health Protection Act.

According to APHIS, the specific changes include:

Accredited veterinarians are private veterinarians who receive additional training and are authorized to complete specific tasks and paperwork on behalf of APHIS, the agency explained. These include animal inspections, testing and certifications. Accredited veterinarians serve as the first line of defense in defending the country from emerging and foreign animal diseases. They also play a key role in facilitating live animal exports.

APHIS said it received five comments during the 60-day public comment period. APHIS made two slight changes in response to the comments: to make a specific term clearer and to provide greater flexibility for how a veterinarian can prove that he or she is legally able to practice veterinary medicine in a given state.

The changes are effective March 26, 2020.