A major change is underway in Indiana’s veterinary medicine. The Indiana General Assembly has taken steps to solve a big problem in the state: there aren’t enough veterinarians. Senate Bill 56, popularly known in professional circles as the “Veterinary Licensing Act” of 2026, is at the center of this development.

This isn’t simply a legal update for practice owners; it’s also a sign to grow. As it becomes easier for people from other states to work in the area, the need for modern, high-quality, and efficient veterinary facilities will grow. For more than 70 years, Chester Inc. Architectural & Construction Services has helped veterinarians in Northern Indiana and South Chicago build their dreams. Now, we’re ready to help you navigate this new regulatory climate by developing facilities that attract the best talent and meet the demands of our communities as they grow.

Senate Bill 56 was passed into law in February 2026 and will go into effect on July 1, 2026. It is intended to expedite the licensing process for veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) who are migrating to Indiana from other states.

Key Provisions of SB 56: Licensure by Reciprocity: The Indiana Board of Veterinary Medicine can now issue licenses or registrations to qualified applicants without another state exam. This applies as long as the applicant is already licensed and in good standing in another state with “substantially equivalent” requirements.

Less red tape: The state wants to reduce the “wait time” for new hires to start working by aligning veterinary licensing standards with those for other healthcare workers.

Currently, Indiana has only about 2,800 active veterinarians statewide. This law offers critical support to rural clinics and urban animal hospitals that face burnout and staffing shortages.

Looking at the big picture, as more veterinarians move to Indiana, clinics can expand their teams and services. If you’ve delayed a renovation or new build due to staffing limitations, SB 56 directly addresses this concern and opens new possibilities.

After SB 56, Indiana is vying with nearby states like Illinois and Michigan for the best workers. A veterinarian who moves from a contemporary clinic in Chicago or Grand Rapids will want to work at a practice that meets their professional standards. This is where commercial architecture and specialist design can help you find the best people to work for you.

Our in-house architects at Chester Inc., led by experts like Peter Brannen, who has created more than 60 animal clinics, know that a clinic is more than just a place to work. It is a place that needs to help patients recover and for staff to work more quickly.

Features that Attract Top Talent: Advanced Surgical Suites: Modern doctors anticipate HVAC systems that keep sterile surroundings with positive air pressure and medical-grade filtration.

Thoughtful Workflow: Reducing the number of steps between exam rooms, the pharmacy, and treatment facilities reduces personnel fatigue and improves patients’ experiences.

Privacy and Compassion: We often create “quiet rooms” or separate exits for families grieving. These are things that indicate a level of compassion that modern veterinarians really value.

We transform spaces from “industrial” to “residential” appeal, making them more relaxing for animals and more enjoyable for staff.

The Chester Inc. Design-Build Advantage for Animal Clinics

It is always hard to build or expand a veterinary hospital. You’re not just building an office; you’re also building a pharmacy, a lab, a mini-hospital, and sometimes even a store. Our Design-Build-Finance methodology makes this easier for Chester Inc.

Chester Inc. differs from other commercial construction businesses because it assigns one person to handle architects, engineers, IT specialists, and contractors. This stops the “finger-pointing” that often happens in regular construction and keeps your project on track.

We know what the “unseen” needs are for building a veterinary office:

Acoustics: Using materials that block sound to make sure that a barking dog in the kennel doesn’t bother a cat in the exam room.

Durability: We choose flooring that is non-skid and not porous. We also use walls that can be cleaned with industrial-strength cleaners and can withstand heavy foot traffic.

We install specialized ventilation systems that eliminate the “vet smell” and help create a professional environment for clients.

It takes a lot of money to do a project like this. We can help you organize your project in a way that makes sense for the long-term health of your practice, since we offer financing. This way, your new facility will be an asset rather than a burden.

You can see our work throughout the area, from the North Central Veterinary Center in Westville to the McAfee Animal Hospital in Valparaiso. These buildings were not just “built”—they were designed for success.

Valparaiso Animal Hospital: We just helped Dr. Jill Butler move her business to a larger building with separate waiting areas for dogs and cats, plus space for future physiotherapy and rehab.

Bluffton and Hobart Clinics: These projects demonstrate how we can use current technology and specialized medical equipment to create beautiful, practical spaces that support people in their communities.

The competition to hire the new wave of veterinarians will begin when the Indiana Veterinary Act 56 takes effect this July. Is your clinic all set? Is your existing space a good fit for the high level of care you give, or is it holding you back from growing?

Don’t wait for the floodgates to open for licenses. Talk to Chester Inc., Architectural & Construction Services, today. Our team of architects and commercial construction contractors is ready to help you plan, build, and finance a facility that is more than just a building; it’s the future of your business.

Would you like to set up a site visit with one of our veterinary architecture experts to learn how to improve your current building to comply with the new laws?