CLARITY:

Credential Standards & Requirements

Credential Purpose

The CLARITY Veterinary Leader credential recognizes veterinary professionals who have demonstrated applied leadership competence through a structured, evidence-based professional development program.

CVL certifies leadership behaviors and professional conduct, not job title, managerial authority, or clinical expertise.

Scope

The CVL credential applies to leadership behaviors within veterinary professional settings, including but not limited to:

  • Professional communication

  • Emotional regulation and self-leadership

  • Role clarity and responsibility boundaries

  • Accountability without blame or shame

  • Psychological safety through predictable leadership behavior

  • Values-based decision-making

CVL does not certify:

  • Clinical competence

  • Business or financial management skills

  • Practice management or operations

  • Supervisory or employment authority

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CVL credential, applicants must:

  • Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in veterinary medicine

  • Be currently leading, training, mentoring, or influencing others in a professional veterinary setting

  • Demonstrate readiness to apply leadership learning in real workplace contexts

Formal leadership titles, academic degrees, or management certifications are not require

Program Requirement

To earn the CLARITY Veterinary Leader (CVL) credential, participants must successfully complete all of the following:

  1. Attendance

    • Participate in a minimum of 10 out of 12 live instructional sessions (≥83%)

  2. Applied Learning

    • Complete all required between-session assignments designed to apply leadership concepts in real workplace situations

  3. Assessment

    • Demonstrate competence across defined leadership domains through rubric-based applied assessments, including:

      • Scenario-based analysis

      • Written leadership responses

      • Structured reflection mapped to program competencies

  4. Capstone Leadership Development Plan

    • Submit and present a capstone plan demonstrating:

      • Leadership strengths and growth areas

      • Leadership philosophy and behavioral approach

      • A 90-day implementation plan

      • Accountability structures

      • 6-month and 12-month development goals

  5. Coaching Engagement

    • Complete three (3) individual leadership coaching sessions to support integration of learning
      (Note: coaching supports learning but is not used as a direct assessment method)

Certification is awarded only upon successful demonstration of competency. Attendance or participation alone does not guarantee certification.

Assessment Standard

Leadership competence is evaluated using standardized rubrics aligned to five core domains:

  1. Self-Leadership and Emotional Regulation

  2. Role Clarity and Responsibility Boundaries

  3. Psychological Safety Behaviors

  4. Accountability and Direct Communication

  5. Values-Based Leadership and Systems Thinking

Participants must meet minimum competency thresholds across all domains to earn the CVL credential. One resubmission opportunity is permitted for applied assessments.

Credential Validity and Renewal

  • The CVL is valid for two (2) years from the date of award.

  • Renewal requires:

    • Completion of 10 hours of leadership-focused continuing education, and

    • Payment of the credential renewal fee.

Credential holders maintain ongoing access to the CVL alumni community and optional continuing development opportunities.

Limitations and Disclaimers

The CLARITY Veterinary Leader (CVL):

  • Does not confer clinical licensure, supervisory authority, or employment status

  • Does not replace or supersede veterinary licenses or existing certifications

  • Does not authorize independent practice, disciplinary action, or personnel decisions

CVL is a professional development credential intended to support leadership effectiveness and responsibility in veterinary environments.

Credential Governance

The CVL is governed by the CVL program administrators, who are responsible for:

  • Curriculum standards

  • Assessment integrity

  • Credential issuance and renewal

  • Ongoing alignment with professional education standards.

CLARITY Veterinary Leader (CVL) is a professional development credential awarded to veterinary professionals who demonstrate applied leadership competence through assessed, evidence-based education.