Veterinary Medicine
Ruthanne Christie, Executive Director
The Board of Veterinary Medicine is responsible for licensing and regulating veterinarians. The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline. The board engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.
Reciprocity and Substantially Equivalent Exams
Online Licensing Examinations Now Available Through Pearson VUE
Getting Started in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian
VM – A “veterinarian” means a person who is licensed to engage in the following activities:
- diagnosing of medical conditions of animals;
- prescribing, dispensing, or administering drugs, medicine, appliances, applications, or treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease thereof;
- performing any manual procedure for the diagnosis of or treatment for pregnancy or fertility or infertility of animals; or
- determining the health, fitness, or soundness of an animal; and
- surgery, acupuncture, obstetrics, dentistry, physical therapy, radiology, theriogenology, and other branches or specialties of animal medicine.
Veterinary Establishment (Premises Permit)
VE – a “premises permit” is required for an establishment, permanent or mobile, where a licensed veterinarian practices.
Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Permit
VL – A “limited-service veterinary medical practice” means offering or providing veterinary services at any location that has a primary purpose other than that of providing veterinary medical service at a permanent or mobile establishment permitted by the board; providing veterinary medical services for privately owned animals that do not reside at that location; operating for a limited time; and providing limited types of veterinary medical services.
The requirements for becoming licensed in Florida are described in the statutes and rules. Choose a license type to apply.
Veterinarian
- Veterinarian – Initial License – Graduate Applicants (VM 1)
- Veterinarian – Initial License – Senior Applicants (VM 1)
- Veterinarian – Initial License – Foreign Graduate Applicants (VM 1)
- Veterinarian – Initial License – Endorsement with Florida Exam (VM 1)
- Veterinarian – Initial License – Endorsement with Florida Laws and Rules Course (VM 1)
- Authorization for Interstate Exchange of Examination and Licensure Information (VM 10)
- Veterinarian – Professional Licensure for Military Personnel/Veterans/Military Spouses (MVL 003)
Veterinary Establishment (Premises Permit)
Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Permit and Clinic
Continuing Education Provider and Course Approval
Examination Information
Fee Waiver Applications
- Florida Military Veteran Fee Waiver
- Florida National Guard Fee Waiver
- Military Personnel, Veterans and Military Spouses Licensing Fee Waiver
- Low Income Waiver of Licensing Fee
Note: If you have previously applied for your license, you may check your application status.
- Change of Responsible Veterinarian (VM 13)
- Individual – Request for Name Change or Address Change (VM 9)
- Veterinarian – Change of Status (VM 11)
- Veterinarian – Reinstatement of Null & Void License (VM 6)
- Veterinary Premise/Clinic Name Change (VM 12)
- Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Clinic – Update Dates and Times (VM 5)
Veterinarians
Licenses expire May 31st every even year.
DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. We encourage you to keep your information up-to-date and renew online. DBPR online services offer a quick and easy way to renew your license, find license requirements, apply for a license and update a license.
Before midnight EST on the expiration date, you will need to complete the following requirements to renew your license:
- Complete the continuing education requirement; and
- Pay the renewal fee
See the “CE Requirements” tab for further information on Continuing Education to renew your license.
For more information concerning your license’s unique requirements, please click the relevant link below:
- Renewal information for current Veterinarian licensees
- Renewal information for delinquent Veterinarian licensees
Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Permits
Licenses expire May 31st every even year.
DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. We encourage you to keep your information up-to-date and renew online. DBPR online services offer a quick and easy way to renew your license, find license requirements, apply for a license and update a license.
Before midnight EST on the expiration date, you will need to complete the following requirements to renew your license:
- Pay the renewal fee
For more information concerning your license’s unique requirements, please click the relevant link below:
Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Clinics
Clinics registered under a Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Permit expire May 31st every year.
Before midnight EST on the expiration date, you will need to complete the following requirements to renew your license:
- If you wish to continue offering these clinics, you must re-register each clinic location and pay a $25 per location fee. Once approved, the registration will be valid until May 31, 2023.
For more information concerning your license’s unique requirements, please click the relevant link below:
Veterinary Establishments (aka Premises Permits)
Premises permits have no expiration date. They are valid for the life of the clinic as long as the clinic does not change ownership or change location.
We encourage you to renew online. However, you can mail your renewal form and fee to:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Education Course List
Continuing Education Courses (Drug Dispensing, Laws & Rules, General)
You may also use the department’s Find a CE Course tool to locate specific subject areas or course topics.
| License Types | Continuing Education Requirements | Fee | Expiration Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinarian | Completion of 30 hours of continuing professional education in veterinary medicine every biennium. Of the 30 hours one credit must be in drug dispensing and two credits must be in laws and rules governing the practice of veterinary medicine. | $265 | 5/31 Even Year |
| Veterinary Establishment (aka Premise Permit) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Limited Service Permit | N/A | $255 | 5/31 Even Year |
See the Continuing Education FAQ for more information.
Quick Links
Need Help?
All requests for publications, documents, forms, applications for licenses, permits and other similar certifications can be obtained by contacting the Customer Contact Center.
Division of Professions
Board of Veterinary Medicine
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Telephone: 850.487.1395
Facsimile: 850.488.8040
