North Carolina Veterinary License Guide

Pay $300.00 to the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board. 

• North Carolina Exam Application Process Fee: $250.00
• Online Exam Fee: $50.00

Proof of Graduation:

Ask your AVMA accredited veterinary school to submit your transcript directly to the North Carolina Board of Veterinary Medicine by email to Janice@ncvmb.org or mail.

• Foreign Veterinary Graduates: Vets educated outside the US will need to complete the certificate program offered by the ECFVG OR PAVE. Please also include a translated and notarized transcript. 

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Exam Requirements:

NAVLE: New vets applying for a license in North Carolina will need to pass the NAVLE examination and have their results submitted directly to the North Carolina Board.

Jurisprudence Exam: Applicants in North Carolina will also need to complete a Veterinary Jurisprudence Exam covering North Carolina's veterinary practice act.

• NOTE: New graduates are not allowed to take the State examination before graduation.

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Criminal Background Check:

• You must consent to a criminal history check.

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Required Documents:

• Upload a copy of your Social Security Card in the application.

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Miscellaneous requirements:

• If you have a former/maiden name that appears on any application documents, provide a copy of a legal document for the name change.

Veterinarians who are already licensed in another state 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.

• All verifications must be no older than 6 months from your application date.

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.

All applicants must take the North Carolina Jurisprudence exam. 

The North Carolina Board does not specify how long it takes to process license applications. Ensure your application is not missing any documents to avoid delays.   

Use the link above to apply for a North Carolina veterinary license online.

Renewal Fee

Pay $170.00 to the North Carolina Board. 

• New graduates are exempt from CE for their first renewal cycle if they graduated the same year they became licensed.
• All other applicants must complete the full CE requirements regardless of how late in the year they were initially licensed. 

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When do I need to renew my license?

Renewal Date: 12/31 every year

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How long is a North Carolina Veterinary License valid for? 

North Carolina veterinary licenses are valid for 1 year.

20 Hours of CE are required each year

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What forms of CE qualify in North Carolina?

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

• A maximum of 10 hours of CE may be performed remotely or online. At least 5 of those hours must be interactive.
• 2 hours of “Abuse of Controlled Substance” CE is required each renewal period.

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Continuing Education Verification & Documentation

North Carolina does not verify your CE annually, but it is recommended you keep a record of your CE for 3 years as the North Carolina Board of Veterinary Medicine may randomly audit you.

You can change your name or address online by uploading supporting legal documentation to the Licensure Gateway. 

Unfortunately, North Carolina does not offer temporary veterinary licenses that allow relief veterinarians to practice in the state for a limited duration. 

North Carolina Board of Veterinary Medicine

Phone: (919) 854-5601

Email: tschadler@ncvmb.org 

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Mailing Address

1611 Jones Franklin Rd, Ste 106

Raleigh, NC, 27606