Getting Your License
What to Expect
To get licensed as a veterinary professional for the first time, you’ll work with the veterinary regulators in the U.S. state(s) and/or Canadian province(s) in which you plan to practice.
At the AAVSB, we don’t issue your license, but we do maintain the Board and Agency Directory, a tool that helps direct you to the right source of information.
When the Licensure Process Starts
The first step toward licensure is usually to pass either the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) for veterinarians or the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE®) for veterinary technicians.
However, passing a test does not equal getting licensed, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with your jurisdiction’s licensure requirements and start the process early.
What You Might Need
Each jurisdiction has its own regulations and requirements, but here are examples of what you might need to provide to get your license.
- A completed licensure application for your jurisdiction
- Documents from your school, such as your transcript and/or diploma
- Letters of professional reference
- Your work history
- Your basic personal information, such as name, address, date of birth, etc.
- A recent photograph of yourself
- Proof of citizenship or work authorization
- Payment for licensing fees
Use our Board and Agency Directory to find information specific to your jurisdiction.
How We Can Help
At the AAVSB, we support your licensure process by pulling together information from various jurisdictions to help guide you to the right sources of information.
The licensure process can be complex, so we also offer services that can help streamline the process.
Create a MyAAVSB Account
A MyAAVSB account will serve as your career record and repository for information and documents you’ll need for licensure throughout your career.
If you’ve used our services (such as taking the VTNE), you may already have a MyAAVSB account. If you don’t have an account, setting it up is free and starts with a simple application.
VAULT® First License Application Service
If you’ve never been licensed, VAULT First License Application Service allows you to send your national exam scores to a chosen jurisdiction. If you selected “ICVA” for the NAVLE, you must use a VAULT service to designate a recipient. You can also use this service to send your score to a different jurisdiction if your plans have changed. Learn more here.
State and Provincial Assessment (SPA) Jurisprudence Exam
Some jurisdictions require a jurisprudence examination, which evaluates your knowledge of the laws and regulations of the state or province in which you practice. The AAVSB administers SPA exams for some of those jurisdictions.
Learn more here.
International Pathway (PAVE®) Service
If you graduated from an international non-AVMA accredited program and want to get licensed in the United States or Canada, our Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) service can help. Learn more here.