The current VIN date & time: Eastern

How to Start a Veterinary Practice (PRAC117) Self Study

This course is a self-paced, non-interactive course.

Jon C. Dittrich, MBA
With assistance from the following topic experts:
Meghan Ellis, DVM
Ed Guiducci, JD
Thom Haig, DVM
Bert Hockenberry, BA(Human Ecology)
Bryan King, AIA
Course Open: January 1, 2023-April 30, 2025.
Total CE Credit: 11
RACE Category: 11 hours Non-Medical


Enroll Now  

Tuition: VIN/VSPN Member $253
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
This course is specifically designed for Veterinarians who are thinking of starting a new practice. (Optionally: a Practice Manager or Office Manager can also gain insight on running a profitable practice from taking this course.) The authors take you from the “I think I want to start my own practice”, to opening your doors. We have 6 industry experts who will guide you along the way from conceptual idea, to finding the “right” location; developing a Business Plan; obtaining financing; legal decisions; building / remodeling your facility; buying equipment; hiring staff; to opening day; and finally operating and maintaining a profitable practice. Yes, it is a lot! But you need this information before taking on the largest amount of debt you will have in your career. You need to know ahead of time if you have a good chance of success not just hope it all works out in the end.

To earn a certificate of completion the participant must complete all learning modules and score 80% or better on the end-of-course test. Completion of the course will take a minimum of 660 minutes. Participants must complete the participation requirements by April 30, 2025 to be eligible for a certificate.

To learn more about the requirements for earning a Self Study CE certificate, please refer to Self Study CE Certificate Requirements.


Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • find a suitable practice location.
  • write a successful Business Plan to obtain financing.
  • set up the “right” legal entity for the practice.
  • have a design or remodeling plan.
  • have the basic tools to set up and run a successful and profitable practice.


Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE self-study course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists interested in learning how to start a veterinary practice.
This course is open to VIN and VSPN members only.
Credit Approval: This non-interactive course is approved for 11 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists . (RACE 20-950020)


Course Agenda:

Module 1: Lesson 1 Introduction
Total Time: 21 minutes
Video: 21 minutes
Polls: 1

Module 2: Lesson 2 Are you an Entrepreneur?
Total Time: 22 minutes
Video: 22 minutes
Polls: 2

Module 3: Lesson 3 Let's Get Real
Total Time: 40 minutes
Video: 40 minutes
Polls: 2

Module 4: Lesson 4 Your Brain Trust Part 1 - Intro/Your Accountant
Total Time: 13 minutes
Video: 13 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 5: Lesson 4 Your Brain Trust Part 2 - Your Architect
Total Time: 50 minutes
Video: 50 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 6: Lesson 4 Your Brain Trust Part 3 - Your Attorney
Total Time: 58 minutes
Video: 58 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 7: Lesson 4 Your Brain Trust Part 4 - Your Banker
Total Time: 14 minutes
Video: 14 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 8: Lesson 4 Your Brain Trust Part 5 - Your Consultant
Total Time: 6 minutes
Video: 6 minutes
Polls: 2

Module 9: Lesson 5 Feasibility Analysis
Total Time: 55 minutes
Video: 55 minutes
Polls: 2

Module 10: Lesson 6 The Business Plan Part 1
Total Time: 27 minutes
Video: 27 minutes

Module 11: Lesson 6 The Business Plan Part 2
Total Time: 65 minutes
Video: 65 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 12: Lesson 7 Equipment List
Total Time: 12 minutes
Video: 12 minutes
Polls: 2

Module 13: Lesson 8 Your Operations Teams
Total Time: 14 minutes
Video: 14 minutes
Polls: 2

Module 14: Lesson 9 Business Maintenance Part 1
Total Time: 93 minutes
Video: 93 minutes
Polls: 4

Module 15: Lesson 9 Business Maintenance Part 2
Total Time: 116 minutes
Video: 116 minutes
Polls: 3

Module 16: Lesson 10 More Help
Total Time: 7 minutes
Video: 7 minutes

Module 17: Appendix
Total Time: 2 minutes
Video: 2 minutes

Module 18: End of Course Test
Total Time: 45 minutes
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

Module 19: Course Evaluation

To learn more about the requirements for earning a Self Study CE certificate, please refer to Self Study CE Certificate Requirements.


Enroll Now  

Tuition: VIN/VSPN Member $253
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

Enrollment qualifications for Self Study CE:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN members.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN@vin.com. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to starting the course. If you wish to withdraw after you have started this self-study course, please contact the VSPN office 800-846-0028, ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357