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.
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)
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, 1 hour in dispensing legend drugs and 2 hours in Florida Laws and Rules. | $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 |
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
