Beginning with licenses expiring in January 2019, you will not be permitted to renew your license until you have submitted your fingerprints to the Board. New Applicants will be required to submit fingerprints beginning October 1st, 2018. Click here for more information
Practicing Veterinary Medicine in Texas Requires a License
The Veterinary Licensing Act defines the practice of veterinary
medicine as the diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, manipulation,
relief or prevention of animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or
other physical condition, including the prescription or administration of
a drug, biologic, anesthetic, apparatus, or other therapeutic or
diagnostic substance or technique; representation of an ability and
willingness to perform the acts listed above; or use titles, words, or
letters to induce the belief that a person is legally authorized and
qualified to perform an act listed above; or the receipt of compensation
for performing an act listed above.
The Board has encountered
several situations where interns and/or their employers are under the
impression that interns do not need to be licensed by this Board to
practice veterinary medicine. Any graduate of a college of veterinary
medicine requires a license to practice. Only full-time students of
accredited colleges of veterinary medicine, participating in an extern or
preceptor program, and working under the direct (on premises) supervision
of an employing veterinarian, are allowed to practice veterinary medicine
prior to obtaining a license. Once a student has graduated, they are no
longer authorized to perform those duties defined as the practice of
veterinary medicine until they get a license.
With graduation
coming up, the potential for another problem arises. Please don't enter
into binding agreements with potential veterinarian employees that do not
yet have a Texas license. At the very minimum, base any agreements on
obtaining a license. In many instances, non-licensed individuals have been
hired, moved from out of state, arrangements made for housing and family,
and all based on guaranteed employment. If for any reason the candidate
fails to promptly obtain a Texas license, the employer and employee are
placed in an unfortunate situation for which the Board has no solution.
Before You Apply for a License
Individuals considering applying for a veterinary license in Texas
should use the links below for more information about eligibility, the
application process, and the required documentation and fees before
submitting their application.
Applicants must have graduated from
the AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine or possess an ECFVG or
PAVE certificate of completion.
An applicant must have
taken and passed the NBE and the CCT or the NAVLE prior to being eligible
to take the State licensing examination. Please note that this board
restricts the number of NAVLE retakes, as per the NBVME's policy effective
with the fall 2007 testing window. This means that you must pass the NAVLE
in five (5) attempts or you are NOT eligible to apply for a Texas license.
If you have questions regarding this limitation, please contact the board
office. Information about the NAVLE can be found at
www.nbvme.org.
If you meet
certain requirements, you may apply for a provisional license that will
allow you to practice in Texas while you are waiting to take your state
board exam. This license is only available to DVM applicants who
hold a current and active license in another state. Click the link
below for more information about the provisional license.
Apply
The licensing exam will now be given on-demand at participating COMIRA Testing Centers nationwide. We are no longer using scheduling windows. You will be able to apply for your license at any time, and will be approved to take the exam as soon as we determine that your application is complete. Once your application is complete, you will be emailed instructions on how to schedule and take your exam. Your license will be issued within 7 business days after receiving your passing score from the testing center.
Apply by clicking on the link below for the self-service protal link below you will need to create an account and begin the application for licensure. Please complete the online application and upload ALL of the required supporting documentation.
Click link to access the SELF-SERVICE LICENSING PORTAL LINK
If you have any questions
regarding exams, applications, or licensing please contact the Licensing
Department at 512-305-7555, or email
licensing@veterinary.texas.gov.
Continuing Education (CE)
DVMs are required to obtain 17 hours of CE annually. Please
see the Continuing Education page for more information about acceptable
CE. CE obtained before you receive your license will not
count towards your annual requirement.
Helpful Links
Provisional License Information
(pdf)
AVMA-Accredited Schools
571.5 Qualifications for Veterinary License