How Do I Find Out If My Veterinarian Has Been Disciplined or Sued for Malpractice?

Just like human doctors, veterinarians are subject to regulatory standards and can face disciplinary actions if they fail to meet these standards. 

Unfortunately, discovering whether your veterinarian has been disciplined can be a challenging process. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to find out if your veterinarian has faced any disciplinary actions, ensuring your pet’s safety and your peace of mind.

Search your state veterinary licensing board website

Every state has a veterinary licensing board (sometimes called a “veterinary medical board” or “VMB”), which has the authority to investigate complaints and take disciplinary actions. These actions can range from fines and reprimands to the suspension or revocation of a license.

In many states, including California and New York, the state veterinary licensing board allows users to search a veterinarian's name to view their disciplinary history. This is the easiest way to find out whether your veterinarian has been disciplined. 

Your first step should be to:

1. Find the website: Start by locating the veterinary board website for your state. A quick online search with the terms “[state] veterinary board” should lead you to the correct site. Alternatively, you can simply scroll to the bottom of this post, where you’ll find a complete listing of all the state veterinary boards.  
2. Search for disciplinary records: Look for a section on the website labeled “license verification,” “disciplinary actions,” or something similar. Enter the veterinarian’s name to search for any records. 
3. Review the records: If any disciplinary actions have been taken against the veterinarian, they should be listed along with details about the nature of the action and its outcome.

Here’s a look at the California Veterinary Medical Board search tool:

Make a formal request

If you cannot easily locate a disciplinary records search feature on your state’s licensing board webpage, you may have to make a formal request for the records. Here’s what to do:

1. Contact the board: Find the contact information for your state’s veterinary board on their website. 
2. Submit a request: Write a formal request for the disciplinary records of the veterinarian in question. Be sure to include as much information as possible, including the veterinarian’s full name and license number (if you have it). 
3. Follow up: Some boards may require a fee to process the request. Make sure you follow up if you don’t receive a response within a reasonable amount of time.

Ensure your veterinarian is trustworthy

The reality is that disciplinary actions are rare, and formal complaints that don’t result in action against the veterinarian are typically unavailable to the public. For these reasons, it’s important to do some additional legwork to ensure your pet is in good hands. Here are some steps you can take:

• Check online reviews: While online reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, multiple reviews mentioning serious issues or concerns should be taken seriously.
• Check legal records: Search online legal databases, such as Harvard’s Caselaw Access Project, for any lawsuits or legal actions involving your veterinarian.
• Search for news articles: A simple internet search may reveal news articles or reports about the veterinarian’s practice, especially if they have been involved in any significant legal issues.
• Ask around: The best way to find a good veterinarian is through word of mouth. Check with pet owners you trust to find out if they have had a good experience with a particular vet. 
• Tour the facility: A tour of a veterinarian’s practice can give you a good sense of its cleanliness and overall treatment of animals.
• Ask questions: When you take your pet to a veterinarian, you’re hiring that veterinarian for a job. Treat them like a job candidate by asking questions such as how long they have practiced and whether they are licensed. This is a good way to learn more about the veterinarian.

Complete list of state veterinary board websites

To help you get started in finding out if your veterinarian has faced any disciplinary actions, here is a complete list of state veterinary board websites: