Board of Veterinary Medicine

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.

Important Information (Hot Topics)

On November 18, 2012, the changes to Chapter 61G18-18.002 Florida Administrative Code – Maintenance of Medical Records, adopted by the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine, became effective. Click here for more information.

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HB 517 was approved by Governor Rick Scott on April 6, 2012 and reduces the continuing education required to activate an inactive license. You now only have to complete one renewal cycle of continuing education instead of completing continuing education for all the renewal cycles your license was in an inactive status. Effective July 1, 2012, in order to reactivate an inactive license, you will need to complete the continuing education requirements in place at the time of the last renewal for your profession. That includes 30 hours of board-approved continuing education that was taken during the last, or current, renewal period. Of the 30 hours one hour must be in drug dispensing and two hours in laws and rules.

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Licensed veterinarians shall complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of continuing professional education in veterinary medicine every biennium. Beginning on June 1, 2012, no less than one (1) hour of continuing education shall be in the area of dispensing legend drugs and no less than two (2) hours of continuing education shall be in the area of the laws and rules governing the practice of veterinary medicine. Please refer to rule 61G18-16.002, FAC, for more information.

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The department will no longer mail the study guide materials for the Veterinary Medicine laws and rules examination.  For your convenience the study guide materials are now available at www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/Vet_Study_Guide.html.  You can view and print from this link.

Board Information

The Board of Veterinary Medicine consists of 7 members: 5 veterinarians and 2 consumer members.

Apply to be a board member

Board Meeting Information

License Information

Definition of Occupation and Class Codes

License Categories:
Veterinarian
Limited Service Permit
Premises Permit

Methods of Licensure:
By Endorsement - Yes
By Examination - Yes
By Reciprocity - No
Business Entity - Yes

Applicant Information

Application/Licensure Fees
A breakdown of application and licensure fees is provided with application packets.

Examination Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for examination development, administration, review and grades. Below are shortcuts to their examination pages.
Candidate Information Booklets
Computer Based Testing
Special Accommodations for Testing - ADA

Information for Licensees

Biennial License Renewal Fee
Veterinarian = $265
Limited Service Permit = $255
The fees above include a $5 unlicensed activity fee.

Continuing Education Requirement
Completion of 30 hours of continuing professional education in veterinary medicine every biennium, 1 of which shall be in the area of dispensing prescription drugs and two in the area of laws and rules governing the practice of veterinary medicine. Additionally, not more than 15 hours shall be non-interactive correspondence courses and a licensed veterinarian shall receive credit for no more than 5 hours of continuing education in business, practice management courses or stress and impairment seminars during any biennium period.

Continuing Education Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for the management of continuing education providers and courses. Below are shortcuts to their continuing education pages.
Continuing education main page
Continuing education policy
List of continuing education providers and courses, and hours required
Information for providers / instructors

Study material for the Laws and Rules examination

Reporting requirement for criminal convictions
As of October 1, 2009, Section 455.227(1)(t), Florida Statutes requires all professional licensees to report to the department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction.  The statute also requires the reporting of any convictions that occurred prior to October 1, 2009.  A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation.  To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document and mail it to the department.

Enforcement

The Division of Regulation is responsible for enforcement of professions and related businesses licensed by DBPR under the Division of Professions to ensure that the laws, rules and standards set by the legislature are followed. To file a complaint visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

Links and Resources

American Veterinary Medical Association

American Association of Veterinary State Boards

Florida Veterinary Medical Association