From: USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations, 9 CFR Part 1 (Definitions), Section 1.1:
“Attending veterinarian means a person who has graduated from a veterinary school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, or has a certificate issued by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates, or has received equivalent formal education as determined by the Administrator; has received training and/or experience in the care and management of the species being attended; and who has direct or delegated authority for activities involving animals at a facility subject to the jurisdiction of the Secretary.”
See the source document in text or PDF format at the National Archives and Records website (home page is http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html). The document can also be accessed at www.iacuc.org.