What Does "RACE-Approved" Actually Mean?
Feb 04, 2026The two-minute answer, the full answer, and how to make sure your credits actually count.
You've seen "RACE-approved" stamped on roughly every piece of veterinary CE marketing in existence — including ours. But if someone cornered you at a (small, quiet, well-ventilated) gathering and asked what it actually means, could you answer?
No shame if not. Let's fix that in the next four minutes.
The two-minute answer
RACE stands for the Registry of Approved Continuing Education, a program run by the AAVSB — the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. RACE reviews CE providers and programs against a set of quality standards: qualified speakers, science-based content, real educational value.
When a course is RACE-approved, it means it has passed that review. And because most state boards accept RACE approval, it is the closest thing veterinary CE has to a universal "yes, this counts" stamp.
That's the whole headline. Now the details that actually protect your license.
State boards dictate what’s needed for renewal
Here's the nuance worth knowing: your state board — not RACE — has the final say on what counts toward your renewal.
Most state boards accept RACE-approved CE, which is exactly why providers (us included) go through the approval process. However, some states like to have an extra layer of approval. Also, states still set their own rules around things like:
- Total hours required per renewal cycle
- How many hours can be online vs. in person
- Interactive vs. non-interactive limits— live webinars where you can ask questions in real time are often treated differently than on-demand recordings
- Topic requirements— some states require specific hours in areas like opioid prescribing or state law
The practical takeaway: RACE approval gets you most of the way there. Your state board's current rules are the last 5%. A quick check of your board's website once per renewal cycle is all it takes — and yes, we're building state-by-state breakdowns right here in this category to make that even easier.
How to verify a course is RACE-approved CE
Trust, but verify — especially with free CE floating around the internet. A legitimately approved course will have:
1. A RACE program number
...providers receive these when a program is approved, and reputable providers display them.
2. A listing in the AAVSB RACE course search
...you can look up approved programs directly on the AAVSB website.
3. A certificate issued after completion
...with the program details you'll need at renewal time.
Quick FAQ lightning round
Does RACE-approved online CE count the same as in-person?
In most states, yes — though some states cap online or non-interactive hours. Check your board.
Do certificates expire?
Your certificate documents credit earned on a specific date within a specific renewal cycle. Keep every one — instant email delivery makes that easy, and a single folder per renewal cycle makes it foolproof.
What about CE for veterinary technicians?
RACE approval covers programs for technicians too.
How many hours can be non-medical?
Most states cap them. RACE sorts every approved program into two buckets — Scientific/Medical and Non-Scientific — and topics like practice management, leadership, finance, communication, and wellbeing usually land in the second one. Many boards limit how many non-scientific hours count toward a renewal cycle, so a year of great business and burnout content can still leave you short on medical hours. Worth checking your cap before you plan your year.
Does every state accept RACE approval on its own?
Most do. A few add a layer — New York, for example, requires providers to be separately approved by the State Education Department, so a RACE number alone isn't enough there. IntroVet® carries that approval, but it's worth confirming for any provider you're new to.
The bottom line
RACE approval is the closest thing veterinary CE has to a universal "yes, this counts." Your board's current rules are the rest of it.
RACE-approved means reviewed and accepted by most state boards — so you can spend your energy on the learning, not the logistics. Every IntroVet webinar, on-demand course, and in-person event carries RACE approval, with your CE certificate delivered instantly by email when you're done.
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