Paperless Licensing, effective 02/06/2018
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is excited to announce an advancement in how we license veterinarians in the State of Florida.  The Department has implemented an innovative way to expedite the licensing process for veterinarians and veterinary establishments (premise permits).  The Department will no longer be mailing licenses upon issuance, as licensees can now print their licenses by logging into their secure online account with the Department.  This will allow new licensees to enter the work force at least 7 to 10 business days early, whereas, in the past, they would have to wait for the license to arrive in the mail.  In addition to new licenses, this process will allow licensees to renew online and print the license at their convenience, as well as print duplicate licenses as needed without paying a fee.

Veterinary Medicine

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

License Types

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.

Apply for a License

The requirements for becoming licensed in Florida are described in the statutes and rules. Choose a license type to apply.

Veterinarian
  • Veterinarian – Initial License by Examination (VM 1) Start Now
  • Authorization for Interstate Exchange of Examination and Licensure Information (VM 10) Start Now
  • Veterinarian – Initial License by Endorsement (VM 1) Start Now
  • Veterinarian – Professional Licensure for Military Personnel/Veterans/Military Spouses (MVL 003) Start Now
Veterinary Establishment (Premises Permit)
  • Veterinary Establishment (Premises Permit) (VM 2) Start Now
Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Permit and Clinic
  • Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Permit (VM 3) Start Now
  • Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Clinic Registration (VM 4) Start Now
Continuing Education Provider and Course Approval
  • Continuing Education Provider Approval (VM 7) Start Now
  • Continuing Education Course Approval (VM 8) Start Now

Examination Information

Applicants for licensure as a veterinarian must take and pass both the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) developed by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA), as well as the Florida laws and rules examination developed by the department. For more information, including scheduling and the laws and rules examination study guide, visit the Veterinary Medicine Examinations Information page.

Fee Waiver Applications

Note: If you have previously applied for your license, you may check your application status.

Renew & Manage My License

  • Change of Responsible Veterinarian (VM 13) Start Now
  • Individual – Request for Name Change or Address Change (VM 9) Start Now
  • Veterinarian – Change of Status (VM 11) Start Now
  • Veterinarian – Reinstatement of Null & Void License (VM 6) Start Now
  • Veterinary Premise/Clinic Name Change (VM 12) Start Now
  • Limited-Service Veterinary Medical Practice Clinic – Update Dates and Times (VM 5) Start Now

CE Requirements

Education Course List

Continuing Education Courses (Drug Dispensing, Laws & Rules, General)

Drug Dispensing Courses

Laws & Rules Courses

General Courses

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

Veterinary Medicine