California Veterinary License Guide

Pay $950 to the California Veterinary Medical Board. 

• Licensing Fee (initial): $500
• Application Fee: $350
• Veterinary Law Exam Fee: $100

It will cost an additional $34.25 to get licensed in California due to:

• Fingerprint processing fee: $34.25

Proof of Graduation:

Ask your AVMA accredited veterinary school to submit your transcript & diploma directly to the California Veterinary Medical Board.

• Foreign Veterinary Graduates: Vets educated outside the US will need to complete the certificate program offered by the ECFVG OR PAVE. 

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Exam Requirements:

NAVLE: New vets applying for a license in California will need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and have their results submitted directly to the California Veterinary Medical Board.

• If you took the NAVLE over 5 years ago, submit proof of 36 hours of CE in the last 2 years OR proof of 2,500 hours of veterinary practice in at least 2 of the last 3 years.

Veterinary Law Exam: Applicants in California will also need to complete an open-book exam covering California's Practice Act (unless you graduated from UC-Davis or Western University).

• Study Guide
• Registration - Must take the exam within 40 days of registration.

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Criminal Background Check & Moral Character Requirements:

Submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice for a criminal background check ($34.25 fee).

• Instructions
• Live Scan Locations
• If applying out of state, email vmb@dca.ca.gov to request a hard card fingerprinting packet. 

Veterinarians who are already licensed in another state, US territory, Canadian province, or Washington D.C. must submit a verification of licensure for any licenses currently or previously held, including any disciplinary action taken against any of your licenses by a state veterinary board.

• AAVSB Vault Service: You can have the AAVSB transfer your NAVLE test results, verification of licensure for any other veterinary licenses, and letters of good standing for a fee of $99.

Click here for the most up to date processing times for California DVM license applications.

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Use the link below to apply online:

Renewal Fee

Pay $500 to the California Veterinary Medical Board. 

*You are exempt from CE requirements your first year of renewal.

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When do I need to renew my license?

Renewal Date: Your expiration date is printed on your license.

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How long is a California Veterinary License good for? 

California veterinary licenses are valid for 2 years.

36 Hours of CE are required every 2-year renewal period

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What forms of CE qualify in California?

The list of approved CE providers for California can be found here.

• A maximum of 6 hours of CE may be performed through non-interactive online or ‘self-study” courses.
• There is no limit to how many interactive online CE hours you can accrue.  

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Continuing Education Verification & Documentation

California does not verify your CE annually but will require a signature on your renewal application to verify you completed 36 hours of approved CE. 

However, it is recommended you keep a record of your CE for at least 4 years as the California Veterinary Medical Board may randomly audit you.

More Info

You can quickly change your personal info, including last name, by filling out this online form. 

If you meet the requirements below, you can apply for a Temporary License in California, which allows you to practice for 1 year under the supervision of another California-licensed veterinarian. 

Temporary Reciprocity License Cost

Pay $250 to the California Veterinary Medical Board. 

• Application Fee: $150.00
• Veterinary Law Exam Fee: $100

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Temporary Veterinary License Requirements

To be eligible for a California Reciprocity Temporary License, you must hold an active license in good standing in another state, US territory, or Washington D.C, for 2 out of the last 3 years with at least 2,944 hours of clinical practice.  

• Must have graduated from an AVMA accredited veterinary school
• Must have passed the NAVLE
• Must complete 3-Day Regionally specific diseases and conditions course

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California Temporary Veterinary License Application 

Required Documents:

• Photograph (similar to a passport photograph)
• Official copy of transcript/diploma and PAVE/ECFVG certificate if applicable
• Verification of passing score on the NAVLE
• License verification or letter of good standing of any existing veterinary licenses (use AAVSB’s VAULT Service to quickly transfer for a $99 fee)
• Fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice or FBI
• Supervision forms (included in application)

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How long does it take?

It takes up to 8 weeks for the Board to process a temporary licensure application.

California Veterinary Medical Board

Phone: (916) 515-5220

Email: vmb@dca.ca.gov

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Mailing Address

1747 N. Market Blvd.

Ste. 230

Sacramento, CA 95834-2978

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