Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Licensure and Licensing Requirements
What every UMES SVM student and graduate needs to know about the path from DVM degree to a licensed veterinary practice.
Understanding Veterinary Licensure
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Veterinary Medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is a professional degree program designed to prepare graduates for entry into the practice of veterinary medicine. Earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree is not, by itself, a license to practice. In the United States and Canada, the right to practice veterinary medicine is granted by the individual state, territorial, or provincial board that regulates the profession — not by the veterinary school and not by any single national body. Every graduate must complete two additional steps before practicing: passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®) and applying for and receiving a license from the specific jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which they intend to practice.
Because each state board sets its own rules, fees, and application procedures, licensure requirements can vary meaningfully from one jurisdiction to the next. This page summarizes the national exam every graduate must take, walks through the process for licensure in Maryland — home to UMES SVM — and points students toward the resources needed to research requirements in any other state where they plan to practice. Prospective students, current students, and graduates are responsible for reviewing the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek licensure.
AVMA Council on Education Accreditation Status
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Veterinary Medicine is pursuing accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE) and is requesting a Letter of Reasonable Assurance in order to admit its first cohort. The School will update this page as its accreditation status changes. Accreditation status can affect eligibility for professional licensure, and prospective students should review the current accreditation status of the program as well as the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The UMES School of Veterinary Medicine has reviewed the educational requirements for veterinary licensure in the United States and U.S. territories. Completion of the UMES SVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum and successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®) meet the educational requirements for veterinary licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories identified as “Meets” in the disclosure table below. For more information, visit icva.net/licensing-boards.
All states except those listed below go through the NAVLE® application process for licensure (see icva.net/navle). The following states and territories require applicants to go through the local state board: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
The licensing board in the jurisdiction where an individual seeks licensure makes the final determination regarding eligibility. State licensing boards retain this authority, and requirements may include examinations, fees, criminal background checks, references, fingerprints, and continuing education.
For students coming from a state or territory that does not meet requirements, the student can only be admitted and enrolled if they sign an attestation that they plan to seek employment in another specified state.
Questions about DVM licensure or certification?
Contact the SVM Office of the Dean
Email: SVMDean@umes.edu
Phone: (410) 651-7163
List of Disclosures by State
The table below indicates whether the UMES SVM DVM curriculum Meets or Does Not Meet the educational licensure requirements in each state and U.S. territory, along with contact information for the applicable state licensing board.
View State & Territory Licensing Disclosures
| State / Territory | Meets Requirements? | Name, Address & URL of State Licensing Board |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Meets | Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 8100 Seaton Place, Suite A, Montgomery, AL 36116 334.395.5112 https://asbvme.alabama.gov/ |
| Alaska | Meets | Alaska Board of Veterinary Examiners P.O. Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811-0806 907.465.1037 https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/professionallicensing/boardofveterinaryexaminers.aspx |
| American Samoa | Does not meet | Department of Agriculture Industrial Park Way, Tafuna, AS 96779 684.633.9272 |
| Arizona | Meets | Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board 1740 West Adams Street, Suite 4600, Phoenix, AZ 85007 602.364.1738 https://vetboard.az.gov/ |
| Arkansas | Meets | Arkansas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205 501.224.2836 https://arvetboard.statesolutions.us |
| California | Meets | California Veterinary Medical Board 1747 N. Market Boulevard, Suite 230, Sacramento, CA 95834 916.515.5220 http://www.vmb.ca.gov/ |
| Colorado | Meets | Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202-5146 303.894.7800 https://dpo.colorado.gov/Veterinary |
| Connecticut | Meets | Connecticut State Board of Veterinary Medicine 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12APP, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134-0308 860.509.7603 http://www.ct.gov/dph |
| Delaware | Meets | Delaware Board of Veterinary Medicine Cannon Building, Suite 203, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904 302.744.4500 http://www.dpr.delaware.gov |
| District of Columbia | Meets | District of Columbia Board of Veterinary Examiners 899 North Capitol Street NE, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20002 202.535.2323 http://doh.dc.gov/service/veterinarians-licensing |
| Florida | Meets | Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399 850.487.1395 https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intercept.asp |
| Georgia | Meets | Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217 404.424.9966 http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/53 |
| Guam | Meets | Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners 123 Chalan Kareta Street, Mangilao, Guam 96913 671.735.7412 https://wiseowl.net/storage/app/media/_pdf/_guam/1.pdf |
| Hawaii | Meets | Hawaii Board of Veterinary Examiners 335 Merchant Street, Rm 301, Honolulu, HI 96813 808.586.2698 http://www.cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/veterinary |
| Idaho | Meets | Idaho Board of Veterinary Medicine 11351 West Chinden Blvd., Building 6, Boise, ID 83714 208.488.7530 http://www.bovm.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | Meets | Illinois Veterinary Licensing and Disciplinary Board 320 West Washington, Springfield, IL 62786 800.560.6420 http://www.idfpr.com/profs/vet.asp |
| Indiana | Meets | Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 402 W. Washington Street, Room W072, Indianapolis, IN 46204 317.234.2054 http://www.pla.in.gov |
| Iowa | Meets | Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 515.281.8617 https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/iowa-board-veterinary-medicine |
| Kansas | Meets | Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners PO Box 379, Wamego, KS 66547-0379 785.456.8781 https://kbve.kansas.gov |
| Kentucky | Meets | Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners 107 Corporate Drive, 2nd Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601 502.782.0273 http://www.kybve.com/index.html |
| Louisiana | Meets | Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine 5825 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225.925.6620 http://www.lsbvm.org |
| Maine | Meets | Maine State Board of Veterinary Medicine 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 207.624.8620 http://www.maine.gov/pfr |
| Maryland | Meets | Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Room 102, Annapolis, MD 21401 410.841.5862 http://mda.maryland.gov/vetboard/Pages/default.aspx |
| Massachusetts | Meets | Massachusetts Board of Veterinary Medicine 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118-6100 617.727.5899 https://www.mass.gov/veterinarian-licensing |
| Michigan | Meets | Michigan State Board of Veterinary Medicine 611 W. Ottawa, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909 517.241.7500 http://www.michigan.gov/healthlicense |
| Minnesota | Meets | Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine 2829 University Avenue SE #401, Minneapolis, MN 55414-4202 651.201.2844 http://www.mn.gov/health-licensing-boards/veterinary-medicine/ |
| Mississippi | Meets | Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine 1089D Stark Road, Starkville, MS 39759 662.324.9380 http://www.mississippivetboard.org |
| Missouri | Meets | Missouri Veterinary Medical Board P.O. Box 633, Jefferson City, MO 65102 573.751.0031 http://www.pr.mo.gov/veterinarian.asp |
| Montana | Meets | Montana Board of Veterinary Medicine P.O. Box 200513, 301 South Park Avenue, 4th Floor, Helena, MT 59620 406.841.2394 http://www.vet.mt.gov |
| Nebraska | Meets | Nebraska Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine & Surgery 301 Centennial Mall South, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 94986, Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 402.471.2118 https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/Veterinary-Medicine-and-Surgery.aspx |
| Nevada | Meets | Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 4600 Kietzke Lane, Bldg. O, #265, Reno, NV 89502 775.688.1788 https://www.nvvetboard.us/ |
| New Hampshire | Meets | New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Medicine 7 Eagle Square, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301 603.271.4561 https://www.oplc.nh.gov/veterinary-medicine/index.htm |
| New Jersey | Meets | New Jersey State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners P.O. Box 45020, Newark, NJ 07101 973.504.6397 http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/vet/Pages/default.aspx |
| New Mexico | Meets | New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine 7301 Jefferson Street NE, Suite H, Albuquerque, NM 87109 505.553.7022 http://www.nmbvm.org |
| New York | Meets | New York State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners NYSED – Office of Professions, 89 Washington Avenue, State Education Building, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Albany, NY 12234-1000 518.474.3817 ext 210 https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/veterinarian/license-requirements |
| North Carolina | Meets | North Carolina Veterinary Board 1611 Jones Franklin Road, Suite 106, Raleigh, NC 27606 919.854.5601 http://www.ncvmb.org |
| North Dakota | Meets | North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners P.O. Box 328, Lisbon, ND 58054 701.683.4705 http://www.ndbvme.org |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Meets | Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Health Care Professions Licensing Board P.O. Box 502078, Bldg. 1242, Pohnpei Court, Capitol Hill, Saipan, MP 96950 670.664.4809 https://cnmibpl-hcplb.net/ |
| Ohio | Meets | Ohio Veterinary Medical Examining Board 77 South High Street, 16th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6108 614.644.5281 http://www.ovmlb.ohio.gov |
| Oklahoma | Meets | Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 3812 North Santa Fe, Suite 300, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405.522.8838 http://www.okvetboard.com |
| Oregon | Meets | Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board 800 N.E. Oregon Street, Suite 407, Portland, OR 97232 971.673.0223 http://www.oregon.gov/ovmeb |
| Pennsylvania | Meets | Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary Medicine Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 717.783.7134 http://www.dos.state.pa.us/vet |
| Puerto Rico | Meets | Puerto Rico Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners P.O. Box 10200, San Juan, PR 00908-0200 787.765.2929 ext. 6605 http://www.salud.gov.pr/ |
| Rhode Island | Meets | Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine 3 Capitol Hill, Room 205, Providence, RI 02908 401.222.2837 http://www.health.ri.gov/ |
| South Carolina | Meets | South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 110 Centerview Drive, PO Box 11329, Columbia, SC 29211 803.896.4598 http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/veterinary/ |
| South Dakota | Meets | South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 411 South Fort Street, Pierre, SD 57501-4503 605.773.3321 http://vetboard.sd.gov |
| Tennessee | Meets | Tennessee Health Related Boards 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243 615.532.5090 http://www.tn.gov/health |
| Texas | Meets | Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 333 Guadalupe Street, Tower III, Suite 810, Austin, TX 78701 512.305.7555 http://www.veterinary.texas.gov/ |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Meets | Virgin Islands Board of Veterinary Medicine Department of Health, 1303 Hospital Ground, Suite 10, St. Thomas, VI 00802 340.774.7477 ext. 5074 https://doh.vi.gov/programs/office-professional-licensure-and-health-planning |
| Utah | Meets | Utah Veterinary Board Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing, P.O. Box 146741, 160 E. 300 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741 801.530.6628 http://www.dopl.utah.gov/vet |
| Vermont | Meets | Vermont Board of Veterinary Medicine Office of Professional Regulation, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620-3402 802.828.2373 https://sos.vermont.gov/veterinary-medicine/ |
| Virginia | Meets | Virginia State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233 804.597.4133 http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/vetmed/ |
| Washington | Meets | Washington Veterinary Board of Governors P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852 360.236.2895 https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/Veterinarian |
| West Virginia | Meets | West Virginia Veterinary Board 5509 Big Tyler Road, Suite 3, Cross Lanes, WV 25313 304.776.8032 https://www.wvbvm.org/ |
| Wisconsin | Meets | Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53718 608.224.4353 https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/VeterinaryExaminingBoard.aspx |
| Wyoming | Meets | Wyoming Board of Veterinary Medicine Emerson Building, Room 104, 2001 Capitol Avenue, Rm 105, Cheyenne, WY 82002 307.777.3507 http://vetboard.wyo.gov/ |
The NAVLE: The National Licensing Exam
The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®) is the standardized, computer-based exam required for licensure in every U.S. state and Canadian province. It is developed and administered by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA), which has overseen the exam since 2000. Passing the NAVLE demonstrates that a candidate has the entry-level clinical competence to begin practicing veterinary medicine safely across companion animal, food animal, and equine species.
UMES SVM students sit for the NAVLE during a dedicated testing window built into the final semester of the clinical year, with structured preparation woven into the Clinical Reasoning course sequence beforehand.
| NAVLE at a Glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Administered By | International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA), via Prometric testing centers |
| Format | 360 clinically based multiple-choice questions, delivered by computer with audio/video proctoring |
| Content | Entry-level clinical knowledge spanning small animal, food animal, equine, and mixed practice |
| Testing Windows | Three annual windows (fall, spring, and summer); exact dates and application deadlines are published by ICVA each cycle |
| Registration | Through the candidate’s state/territorial licensing board or directly through ICVA; Canadian applicants register through the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB) |
| Scoring | Pass/fail result plus a scaled three-digit score and a diagnostic performance report, released 4–5 weeks after the testing window closes |
| Score Validity | Most jurisdictions, including Maryland, require scores to be less than five years old at the time of application unless the candidate has qualifying continuous practice, teaching, or military-related experience |
State-by-State Licensure
A passing NAVLE score is necessary but not sufficient to practice — candidates must also apply for and be granted a license from the veterinary board of the state (or states) where they intend to work. Each board independently sets its own application requirements, fees, continuing education standards, and renewal timelines, and some states also require a jurisprudence exam covering that state’s specific practice laws.
Students planning to practice outside Maryland should research their target state’s requirements well before graduation. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) maintains a Board and Agency Directory listing licensing requirements and contact information for every U.S. state, U.S. territory, and Canadian province, and is the best starting point for that research.
Licensure with the Maryland Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
As Maryland’s first in-state veterinary school, UMES SVM expects many graduates — particularly its Maryland-resident students — to pursue licensure in-state. Veterinary licensure in Maryland is administered by the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners within the Maryland Department of Agriculture. For students seeking to practice in Maryland, they should review the Maryland Veterinary Medical Practice Act before applying for a veterinary medical license.
To apply for licensure, the following is required:
-
Submit an application to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, which includes:
- –A signed and notarized application
- –A copy of the DVM diploma (or a letter from the CVM stating the applicant is expected to graduate within one year)
- –A certified final veterinary college transcript (third-year students must submit when available, prior to the written state examination)
- –The required application fee
- –Photograph (headshot within past six months)
-
NAVLE® Scores
- –For students and graduates who have successfully passed or attempted the NAVLE®, the scores must be transferred from the AAVSB
- –Students and graduates must submit the NAVLE® 1-page form if they wish to apply to take the NAVLE® through the Maryland Licensing Board
Maryland Board Contact
Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Maryland Department of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 841-5862
mda.maryland.gov/vetboard
Steps to Licensure After Graduation
Complete the DVM Degree
Graduate from UMES SVM’s AVMA COE–accredited (or reasonably assured) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, having satisfied all required and elective coursework and clinical rotations.
Pass the NAVLE
Register for and sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination during the dedicated testing window built into the clinical year and achieve a passing score.
Choose Your Licensing Jurisdiction(s)
Identify the state, states, or Canadian province where you intend to practice. Review that jurisdiction’s specific requirements using the AAVSB Board and Agency Directory — requirements, fees, and timelines vary by location, and some states require an additional jurisprudence exam.
Submit Your Application & Required Documents
File your license application with the appropriate board, along with authenticated transcripts, NAVLE scores, identification, letters of good standing (if previously licensed elsewhere), and any required certifications (such as ECFVG or PAVE for graduates of non-accredited programs).
Disclose Background Information
Provide complete, honest disclosure of any prior disciplinary action or criminal history as required by the licensing board; incomplete disclosure can delay or jeopardize licensure.
Receive Your License & Begin Practicing
Once your application is approved and any applicable fees are paid, you may begin practicing veterinary medicine within that jurisdiction, subject to its scope-of-practice rules.
Maintain Your License
Complete continuing education as required and renew your license on the jurisdiction’s schedule — in Maryland, annually by July 1 — to remain in good standing.
Helpful Links & Contacts
-
International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA): icva.net
- NAVLE information
- Application procedures
- Testing windows
- Licensing board information
-
American Association of Veterinary State Boards: aavsb.org
- Board and Agency Directory
- Jurisdiction-specific veterinary licensing information
-
Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners: mda.maryland.gov/vetboard
- Maryland licensure application
- Maryland Veterinary Medical Practice Act
- Board rules and regulations
-
AVMA Council on Education: AVMA COE
- UMES accreditation status
- AVMA COE accreditation information
Questions About Professional Licensure
Students and prospective students who have questions regarding the UMES DVM professional licensure disclosures may contact:
UMES School of Veterinary Medicine – Office of the Dean
Email: SVMDean@umes.edu
Telephone: (410) 651-7163
For admissions-related questions – UMES SVM Office of Student Affairs
Email: svmadmissions@umes.edu
Telephone: (410) 651-7747
Professional Licensure Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is intended to assist prospective students, current students, and graduates in understanding professional licensure requirements. Licensure requirements are established independently by state, district, territorial, provincial, and other licensing authorities and are subject to change without notice.
The University’s determination that the UMES DVM program Meets the educational requirements for licensure in a particular jurisdiction does not constitute a guarantee that a graduate will obtain a license. Licensing authorities make the final determination regarding individual eligibility for licensure.
Students and prospective students should independently verify current requirements with the licensing authority in the jurisdiction where they intend to practice before enrolling and periodically throughout the program.
Last reviewed: September 1, 2026
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Licensure requirements are established independently by each state, territorial, and provincial board and are subject to change. Prospective and current students should confirm current requirements directly with the licensing board(s) for their intended state(s) of practice, and with the UMES SVM Office of Student Affairs regarding NAVLE preparation and testing logistics.
