Oklahoma Veterinarian — Requirements & Free Practice
US-OK · License preparation
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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements
Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.
Veterinary Faculty License
Restricted to faculty practice and the teaching specialty or subspecialty at the institution.
Licensing authority: Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · Application information
Faculty licensure: Accredited veterinary graduate
- Application
- Submit the faculty application, lawful-presence affirmation, faculty-position verification, qualification evidence and fees.
- Faculty position
- Hold or expect to hold an instructional veterinary faculty position at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning; provide official institutional certification. The packet specifies Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Language and interview
- Be prepared for a personal interview on competence and English proficiency; language tests may be required for applicable applicants.
- Qualification
- Graduation from an AVMA-approved veterinary college; submit the diploma.
- Scope
- Practice only as faculty in the declared teaching specialty or subspecialty; compensation only from state, federal or institutional funds; license ends if faculty employment ends.
Faculty licensure: ECFVG certified veterinary graduate
- Application
- Submit the faculty application, lawful-presence affirmation, faculty-position verification, qualification evidence and fees.
- Faculty position
- Hold or expect to hold an instructional veterinary faculty position at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning; provide official institutional certification. The packet specifies Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Language and interview
- Be prepared for a personal interview on competence and English proficiency; language tests may be required for applicable applicants.
- Qualification
- Hold ECFVG certification; submit a certified copy of the certificate.
- Scope
- Practice only as faculty in the declared teaching specialty or subspecialty; compensation only from state, federal or institutional funds; license ends if faculty employment ends.
Renewal or continuation during active military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Eligibility
- Active-duty military service member who held this Oklahoma professional license or certificate in good standing at activation.
- Waiver
- Renewal may occur without fees or CE under the statutory military-duty and waiver conditions; continuation may extend through active duty and at least one year after discharge.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §4100.6(B)-(D), military continuation
Faculty licensure: Qualifying national examination scores
- Application
- Submit the faculty application, lawful-presence affirmation, faculty-position verification, qualification evidence and fees.
- Faculty position
- Hold or expect to hold an instructional veterinary faculty position at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning; provide official institutional certification. The packet specifies Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Historical exam scores
- NBE and CCT were replaced by NAVLE in November 2000; their prior scores are conditions, not leaves.
- Language and interview
- Be prepared for a personal interview on competence and English proficiency; language tests may be required for applicable applicants.
- Qualification
- Provide passing NAVLE scores, or historical NBE/CCT scores; transfer all passing and failing scores.
- Scope
- Practice only as faculty in the declared teaching specialty or subspecialty; compensation only from state, federal or institutional funds; license ends if faculty employment ends.
Faculty licensure: Veterinarian licensed elsewhere
- Application
- Submit the faculty application, lawful-presence affirmation, faculty-position verification, qualification evidence and fees.
- Faculty position
- Hold or expect to hold an instructional veterinary faculty position at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning; provide official institutional certification. The packet specifies Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Language and interview
- Be prepared for a personal interview on competence and English proficiency; language tests may be required for applicable applicants.
- Qualification
- Hold a current license in good standing in another state and provide verification.
- Scope
- Practice only as faculty in the declared teaching specialty or subspecialty; compensation only from state, federal or institutional funds; license ends if faculty employment ends.
Reactivation within sixty days after July 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Application
- Submit renewal and reactivation fees and satisfy applicable continuing-education requirements; President or Secretary/Treasurer may reactivate.
- Lapse
- License or certificate became inactive for failure to renew; reactivate within sixty calendar days after July 1. Faculty packet identifies inactivity after July 15.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), reactivation p.668
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), approval p.669
Reinstatement after suspension, revocation or nonrenewal
- Application
- Submit the reinstatement application, recommendations, license verifications, lawful-presence affirmation, required fees and twenty hours CE per inactive year, capped at one hundred by the rule; the Board may waive CE for comparable practice, training or education.
- Board packet
- The March 2020 reinstatement packet lists no new examination sitting; it states the Board may require further proof of clinical competency. Current examinations are retained as qualifications, not an assertion that every applicant must retake them.
- Fitness
- No conviction or other-jurisdiction licensing penalty for conduct warranting a similar penalty in Oklahoma; Board approval or ratification is required.
- Prior status
- Previously held this Oklahoma license or certificate; now suspended, revoked or not renewed.
- Qualification
- Section 698.9a(B)(1) requires all full-licensure or certification requirements to be met; previously satisfied current-exam qualifications remain referenced. For experienced out-of-state applicants, section 698.8(B)(4)(b) permits national-examination waiver. Faculty alternative credentials and SDVM active candidacy may satisfy their corresponding qualifications.
Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Continuing education
- Twenty hours annually; two hours in controlled-substance laws or review of the Practice Act and rules, plus the applicable opioid category. Newly licensed graduates within one year of graduation are exempt until their second renewal; the Board may waive CE for good cause.
- Documentation
- Maintain retrievable CE evidence for five years for audit; online certificates need not accompany renewal.
- Renewal
- Submit annual renewal forms and applicable fees. Before July 15.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(A)-(B), annual renewal
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
775:10-3-5(a), continuing education
Faculty licensure: AVMA recognized specialty certification
- Application
- Submit the faculty application, lawful-presence affirmation, faculty-position verification, qualification evidence and fees.
- Faculty position
- Hold or expect to hold an instructional veterinary faculty position at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning; provide official institutional certification. The packet specifies Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Language and interview
- Be prepared for a personal interview on competence and English proficiency; language tests may be required for applicable applicants.
- Qualification
- Provide Board certification in a specialty recognized by the AVMA.
- Scope
- Practice only as faculty in the declared teaching specialty or subspecialty; compensation only from state, federal or institutional funds; license ends if faculty employment ends.
Veterinary License
Ordinary Oklahoma license to practice veterinary medicine. The Board offers statutory reciprocity under section 698.8(B)(4)(b); section 4150.1(B)(1) does not add a universal-recognition pathway where statutory reciprocity authority exists.
Licensing authority: Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · Application information
Return to active practice after six months of emeritus status
- Board discretion
- The Board or its Secretary may require a competency and/or jurisprudence examination; the identified jurisprudence exam is retained, while an unnamed competency examination is a condition.
- Other requirements
- Pay fees and complete forms; the Board may require a personal appearance, physical or psychological/psychiatric evaluation, or CE.
- Timing
- Return more than six months after taking emeritus status.
Return to active practice within six months of emeritus status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Application
- Pay the required fees and complete Board-required forms.
- Timing
- Return within six months of the date emeritus status was granted.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
775:10-4-3(a), return within six months
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
775:10-4-3(a)(1), fees
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
775:10-4-3(a)(2), forms
Licensure by reciprocity with qualifying clinical experience
- Board packet conflict
- The November 2024 Reciprocity Application Instructions still state: Have received a minimum passing scaled score of 70 on the NBE and CCT or the NAVLE and the Oklahoma State Examination (OSE). The CCT requirement may be waived if at the time the applicant became licensed it was not required by this state. The statute controls the examination tree; this packet demand remains visible as an applicant condition.
- Clinical competency
- The Board may request a personal appearance, further proof of clinical competency, unspecified further examination or supervised practice.
- Education and application
- Graduates of unaccredited veterinary schools must provide an ECFVG or PAVE certificate and diploma; these certificates are applicant qualifications, not individually named examinations in the state sources. Submit diploma, notarized application, two recommendations, license verifications, all examination scores, twenty hours of CE for the last fiscal year and fees.
- Experience
- At least 5,000 clinical practice hours during the five consecutive years immediately before application, in lieu of national examination requirements under 59 O.S. §698.8(B)(4)(b).
- Fitness
- Demonstrate good moral character and mental and professional fitness; disclose criminal, disciplinary and impairment history.
- License held
- Hold an active license in good standing in another state, territory, district or Canadian province; the packet is intended for DVMs licensed for five years or more.
Initial licensure by examination
- Application
- Submit a complete notarized application, education verification, diploma, two recommendations, all license verifications, lawful-presence affirmation and required fees.
- Board review
- The Board may request a personal appearance, further proof of clinical competency, unspecified further examination or supervised practice.
- Character
- Demonstrate good moral character and mental and professional fitness; disclose criminal, disciplinary and impairment history.
- Education
- Provide acceptable veterinary education and evidence of 36 months of education required for graduation.
- Equivalency certificate
- Graduates of unaccredited veterinary schools must provide an ECFVG or PAVE certificate and diploma; these certificates are applicant qualifications, not individually named examinations in the state sources.
- Reexamination
- After two failures the Board may require additional education or clinical competency before a further attempt; the OSE packet permits re-examination after ten days, within one year, with updated application information.
- Score transfer
- Transfer all passing and failing national examination scores when not already held by the Board.
Expedited licensure of active military personnel or spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Examination basis
- Section 698.8(E) specifies recognition of the equivalent license without prescribing a separate examination; ordinary application packet examination language is retained as a Board application condition if the Board requests it.
- Existing license
- Hold a veterinary license in another state, in good standing, with equivalent education, training and experience.
- Processing
- Submit a complete application; issuance within thirty days; application and first issuance fees are waived.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.8(E), active military or spouse
Renewal or continuation during active military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Continuation
- Authority may continue throughout active duty and at least one year after discharge.
- Eligibility
- Be an active-duty member who held an Oklahoma professional license in good standing at activation.
- Waiver
- Renewal may occur without fees and without CE under the listed military-duty or waiver conditions.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §4100.6(B)-(D), military continuation
Reactivation within sixty days after July 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Application
- Submit renewal and reactivation fees and satisfy applicable continuing-education requirements; President or Secretary/Treasurer may reactivate.
- Lapse
- License or certificate became inactive for failure to renew; reactivate within sixty calendar days after July 1. Faculty packet identifies inactivity after July 15.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), reactivation p.668
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), approval p.669
Reinstatement after suspension, revocation or nonrenewal
- Application
- Submit the reinstatement application, recommendations, license verifications, lawful-presence affirmation, required fees and twenty hours CE per inactive year, capped at one hundred by the rule; the Board may waive CE for comparable practice, training or education.
- Board packet
- The March 2020 reinstatement packet lists no new examination sitting; it states the Board may require further proof of clinical competency. Current examinations are retained as qualifications, not an assertion that every applicant must retake them.
- Fitness
- No conviction or other-jurisdiction licensing penalty for conduct warranting a similar penalty in Oklahoma; Board approval or ratification is required.
- Prior status
- Previously held this Oklahoma license or certificate; now suspended, revoked or not renewed.
- Qualification
- Section 698.9a(B)(1) requires all full-licensure or certification requirements to be met; previously satisfied current-exam qualifications remain referenced. For experienced out-of-state applicants, section 698.8(B)(4)(b) permits national-examination waiver. Faculty alternative credentials and SDVM active candidacy may satisfy their corresponding qualifications.
Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Continuing education
- Twenty hours annually; two hours in controlled-substance laws or review of the Practice Act and rules, plus the applicable opioid category. Newly licensed graduates within one year of graduation are exempt until their second renewal; the Board may waive CE for good cause.
- Documentation
- Maintain retrievable CE evidence for five years for audit; online certificates need not accompany renewal.
- Renewal
- Submit annual renewal forms and applicable fees. Before July 1.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(A)-(B), annual renewal
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
775:10-3-5(a), continuing education
Provisional License
Restricted license for a veterinarian licensed in another jurisdiction; no more than 60 days in a 12-month period.
Licensing authority: Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · Application information
Provisional licensure of an out of state veterinarian
- Board packet conflict
- The November 2024 Provisional License Application Instructions require NBE/CCT or NAVLE scores and 5,000 clinical hours. Section 698.8(B)(4)(b) accepts qualifying experience in lieu of national examinations, so the packet national-score demand is recorded as a condition.
- Clinical competency
- The Board may request a personal appearance, further proof of clinical competency, unspecified further examination or supervised practice.
- Education and application
- Graduates of unaccredited veterinary schools must provide an ECFVG or PAVE certificate and diploma; these certificates are applicant qualifications, not individually named examinations in the state sources. Submit diploma, notarized application, two recommendations, license verifications, all examination scores, twenty hours of CE for the last fiscal year and fees.
- Experience
- At least 5,000 clinical practice hours during the five consecutive years immediately before application, in lieu of national examination requirements under 59 O.S. §698.8(B)(4)(b).
- Fitness
- Demonstrate good moral character and mental and professional fitness; disclose criminal, disciplinary and impairment history.
- License held
- Hold an active license in good standing in another state, territory, district or Canadian province; the packet is intended for DVMs licensed for five years or more.
- Practice limit
- The rule limits practice to 60 days in a 12-month period; the packet describes 60 work days or less per year and requires thirty-day advance notice of when and where practice will occur.
Renewal or continuation during active military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Eligibility
- Active-duty military service member who held this Oklahoma professional license or certificate in good standing at activation.
- Waiver
- Renewal may occur without fees or CE under the statutory military-duty and waiver conditions; continuation may extend through active duty and at least one year after discharge.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §4100.6(B)-(D), military continuation
Reactivation within sixty days after July 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Application
- Submit renewal and reactivation fees and satisfy applicable continuing-education requirements; President or Secretary/Treasurer may reactivate.
- Lapse
- License or certificate became inactive for failure to renew; reactivate within sixty calendar days after July 1. Faculty packet identifies inactivity after July 15.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), reactivation p.668
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), approval p.669
Reinstatement after suspension, revocation or nonrenewal
- Application
- Submit the reinstatement application, recommendations, license verifications, lawful-presence affirmation, required fees and twenty hours CE per inactive year, capped at one hundred by the rule; the Board may waive CE for comparable practice, training or education.
- Board packet
- The March 2020 reinstatement packet lists no new examination sitting; it states the Board may require further proof of clinical competency. Current examinations are retained as qualifications, not an assertion that every applicant must retake them.
- Fitness
- No conviction or other-jurisdiction licensing penalty for conduct warranting a similar penalty in Oklahoma; Board approval or ratification is required.
- Prior status
- Previously held this Oklahoma license or certificate; now suspended, revoked or not renewed.
- Qualification
- Section 698.9a(B)(1) requires all full-licensure or certification requirements to be met; previously satisfied current-exam qualifications remain referenced. For experienced out-of-state applicants, section 698.8(B)(4)(b) permits national-examination waiver. Faculty alternative credentials and SDVM active candidacy may satisfy their corresponding qualifications.
Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Continuing education
- Twenty hours annually; two hours in controlled-substance laws or review of the Practice Act and rules, plus the applicable opioid category. Newly licensed graduates within one year of graduation are exempt until their second renewal; the Board may waive CE for good cause.
- Documentation
- Maintain retrievable CE evidence for five years for audit; online certificates need not accompany renewal.
- Renewal
- Submit annual renewal forms and applicable fees. Before July 1.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(A)-(B), annual renewal
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
775:10-3-5(a), continuing education
Supervised Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Certificate
Veterinary practice under direct supervision while full licensure is pending or unavailable.
Licensing authority: Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · Application information
Certification as a supervised doctor of veterinary medicine
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Application
- Demonstrate good moral character, complete the application and pay fees.
- Education
- Graduate of an AVMA-approved veterinary college or hold an ECFVG or PAVE certificate.
- Examination alternative
- Rule 775:10-3-9(1)(D) accepts passing either a national examination or Oklahoma veterinary examination, or being an active candidate for Board examinations; active candidacy is an applicant condition.
- Identification
- Identify publicly as a non-licensed supervised veterinarian using a specified SDVM name tag.
- Supervision
- All practice must be under an accepted supervising licensed veterinarian who filed the Supervising Veterinarian Form; the Board may require appearances.
Renewal or continuation during active military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Eligibility
- Active-duty military service member who held this Oklahoma professional license or certificate in good standing at activation.
- Waiver
- Renewal may occur without fees or CE under the statutory military-duty and waiver conditions; continuation may extend through active duty and at least one year after discharge.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §4100.6(B)-(D), military continuation
Reactivation within sixty days after July 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Application
- Submit renewal and reactivation fees and satisfy applicable continuing-education requirements; President or Secretary/Treasurer may reactivate.
- Lapse
- License or certificate became inactive for failure to renew; reactivate within sixty calendar days after July 1. Faculty packet identifies inactivity after July 15.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), reactivation p.668
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(D)(1), approval p.669
Reinstatement after suspension, revocation or nonrenewal
At least one of the following alternatives:
- Application
- Submit the reinstatement application, recommendations, license verifications, lawful-presence affirmation, required fees and twenty hours CE per inactive year, capped at one hundred by the rule; the Board may waive CE for comparable practice, training or education.
- Board packet
- The March 2020 reinstatement packet lists no new examination sitting; it states the Board may require further proof of clinical competency. Current examinations are retained as qualifications, not an assertion that every applicant must retake them.
- Fitness
- No conviction or other-jurisdiction licensing penalty for conduct warranting a similar penalty in Oklahoma; Board approval or ratification is required.
- Prior status
- Previously held this Oklahoma license or certificate; now suspended, revoked or not renewed.
- Qualification
- Section 698.9a(B)(1) requires all full-licensure or certification requirements to be met; previously satisfied current-exam qualifications remain referenced. For experienced out-of-state applicants, section 698.8(B)(4)(b) permits national-examination waiver. Faculty alternative credentials and SDVM active candidacy may satisfy their corresponding qualifications.
Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
- Continuing education
- Twenty hours annually; two hours in controlled-substance laws or review of the Practice Act and rules, plus the applicable opioid category. Newly licensed graduates within one year of graduation are exempt until their second renewal; the Board may waive CE for good cause.
- Documentation
- Maintain retrievable CE evidence for five years for audit; online certificates need not accompany renewal.
- Renewal
- Submit annual renewal forms and applicable fees. Before July 1.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-09-29.
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.10a(A)-(B), annual renewal
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
775:10-3-5(a), continuing education
Oklahoma State Examination (Veterinary Medicine)
- Provider
- Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
- Format
- Online/remote examination
- Passing score
- 70 or above
Practice scope
The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.
Licensure and examination requirements
- Initial licensure, examination, and reexamination
Scope of practice and veterinarian-client-patient relationship
- Practice definition, VCPR, and telehealth
Professional conduct and supervision
- Delegation, professional duties, and prohibited conduct
Records, prescribing, dispensing, and labeling
- Patient records and veterinary prescription drugs
Veterinary premises and mobile practice
- Facility, equipment, housekeeping, and mobile-unit standards
Discipline, reporting, and enforcement
- Unprofessional conduct, Board process, and sanctions
Examination sources
- ok_dvm_license_packet.pdf
Licensure Instructions, p.2, state examination
- ok_practice_act_2025.pdf
Compilation cover, statutory and rule scope
- ok_title59.pdf
59 O.S. §698.1, short title
- ok_dvm_license_packet.pdf
Licensure Instructions, p.2, approval before examination
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination
- Provider
- International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA); delivered at Prometric testing centers
- Format
- Computer-based multiple-choice examination; each question presents a clinical scenario or vignette followed by a question requiring one answer from a list of response options; about 15-20% include graphics such as photos or radiographs. Beginning with the October-November 2026 NAVLE the test is divided into twelve blocks of 30 questions each.
- Exam questions
- 360 multiple-choice questions
- Time limit
- Around seven and a half (7.5) hours
- Passing score
- Score report gives a pass or fail designation and a three-digit scaled score
- Exam fee
- $825 (USD) standard NAVLE fee; $1,220 (USD) international NAVLE fee (standard fee + international fee of $395)
Examination outline
Clinical Practice (competency domain; target blueprint 70%) (70%)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Create or update medical records
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Develop a differential diagnosis
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Formulate a diagnostic plan
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Formulate possible differential diagnoses
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Interpret cytologic specimens
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Interpret diagnostic images (e.g., ECG, endoscopy, ultrasound, x-ray)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Interpret findings from laboratory tests (e.g., urine, blood, tissue)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Interpret findings from physical examination
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Interpret findings from postmortem specimen
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Interpret principles of pathophysiology and mechanism of action
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Interpret results of system-specific examination (e.g., ophthalmic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, dental)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Investigate possible exposure of companion animal to toxin
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Investigate possible exposure of food or game animal to toxin
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Observe or interpret an animal’s mental status and other aspects of behavior
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Obtain animal health history from client
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Obtain diagnostic images (e.g., ultrasound, x-ray)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Obtain specimens or samples for laboratory studies (e.g., urine, blood, tissue)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Perform general physical examination
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Perform postmortem examination to determine cause of death
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Perform standard diagnostic tests on samples (e.g., urine, blood, tissue)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Perform system-specific examination (e.g., ophthalmic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, dental)
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Prioritize need for diagnostic procedures considering available resources
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Read and interpret production records or farm-based computer reports to understand herd-level health parameters
- Data Gathering and Interpretation (target blueprint 35%) — Review animal medical records to determine health status
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Administer a biological or pharmacological agent other than anesthesia, including blood, vaccinations, drugs, and medications
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Administer general anesthesia
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Administer local anesthesia
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Apply a splint, cast or other stabilization device
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Care for wounds or surgical incisions (e.g., suture, dress)
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Determine prognosis
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Establish a rehabilitation plan
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Establish a treatment plan
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Evaluate a treatment outcome
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Formulate or evaluate a behavior modification plan
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Formulate patient/herd/population management and treatment plans (e.g., stall rest, medication, raising curtains in a pig barn, testing feed)
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Perform common therapeutic/surgical procedures (e.g., tissue biopsy, wound drainage)
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Perform major surgical procedures (e.g., abdominal, orthopedic)
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Prescribe a biological or pharmacological agent
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Refer clients to veterinary specialists for further diagnostic studies or treatment
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Synthesize multiple sources of diagnostic information, including local disease prevalence, to determine diagnosis
- Health Maintenance and Problem Management (listed in the target blueprint as 'Health Maintenance and Prevention', 35%) — Treat minor injuries or trauma (e.g., abrasions, lacerations, eye wounds)
Preventive Medicine and Animal Welfare (competency domain; target blueprint 15%) (15%)
- Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns (target blueprint 6%) — Certify that animals or animal products meet certain standards (e.g., living conditions, sanitation, health or disease status)
- Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns (target blueprint 6%) — Conduct or oversee an animal welfare audit
- Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns (target blueprint 6%) — Conduct periodic/annual examinations on client animals and discuss vaccination, deworming, diet, exercise, and other wellness considerations
- Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns (target blueprint 6%) — Explain to client the components of an animal welfare audit
- Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns (target blueprint 6%) — Identify and take action on animal welfare problems
- Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns (target blueprint 6%) — Verify that diseased or infected animals have been managed according to professional or governmental guidelines
- Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns (target blueprint 6%) — Work with community groups or regulatory bodies to address the ethical treatment, health, and welfare of animals
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Apply isolation or quarantine and/or disinfection measures to own work environment as a means of disease prevention/control
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Ensure proper disposal of biomedical waste
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Evaluate animal environments to identify possible epidemiological problems and public health concerns
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Inform client or community about effective methods for managing animal or human waste
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Inspect practice environment (e.g., clinic, vehicle) to ensure that it is safe and accessible
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Instruct client about methods to humanely terminate diseased animals and dispose of infected carcasses
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Instruct staff, colleagues, or others about proper technique for disposal of biomedical waste
- Environmental Health and Safety (target blueprint 5%) — Monitor workplace to verify that it complies with hazardous materials requirements
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Apply isolation or quarantine procedures as a means of disease prevention and control
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Collaborate or consult with clients, health professionals, government agencies, or community groups on public health issues such as food safety and zoonotic disease
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Conduct a community education workshop on some topic related to animal or human health
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Consult with community stakeholders about animal population control
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Discuss animal care options with an immunocompromised owner
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Formulate a patient/herd management and/or treatment plan for public health and/or zoonotic disease cases or concerns
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Inform clients or community about prevention and treatment of zoonotic organism exposure
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Inspect food to ensure consumer safety
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Investigate a disease outbreak
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Participate in disease control or eradication program
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Participate in epidemiologic inquiry of a reportable disease by collecting, handling, or transporting specimens/samples
- Veterinary Public Health (target blueprint 4%) — Report a transboundary or zoonotic disease to state, regional, or national agency
- Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics (no separate subdomain percentage is published in the target blueprint) — Apply the fundamentals of epidemiology and/or biostatistics
- Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics (no separate subdomain percentage is published in the target blueprint) — Interpret biostatistical or epidemiologic principles or problems
- Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics (no separate subdomain percentage is published in the target blueprint) — Investigate epidemiologic problems
Communications (competency domain; the target blueprint lists 'Communication' at 8%) (8%)
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Build relationships with junior colleagues or new graduates
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Consult with other veterinarians or veterinary specialists regarding animal care
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Delegate delivery of veterinary care and services to associates or staff
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Deliver verbal case summaries to other veterinarians or members of the health care team
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Describe disaster preparedness plan to coworkers
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Engage regulatory bodies to improve standards of practice or to address other professional issues
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Explain results of research to non-veterinary health workers (e.g., staff, other agencies)
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Guide the work of associates or other staff in the delivery of veterinary services
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Mentor and supervise veterinary and veterinary technician students
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Respond to unprofessional or unethical behavior in others
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Train staff in animal health and care
- Communications with Veterinary and Other Professionals (target blueprint 'Communication with Veterinary and other Professionals' 3%) — Write a case summary for use by other veterinarians or members of the health care team
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Advise client on health maintenance for herd, flock or individual pet (e.g., husbandry, production management, public health, wellness exams)
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Advise client regarding appropriate and inappropriate pharmacy compounding
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Discuss euthanasia with client
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Discuss strategies with producer or client to reduce antibiotic resistance and/or antibiotic residues
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Discuss the limits of legal extra-label drug use with client
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Ensure that client understands the effects of prescribed pharmaceuticals, including chemotherapeutics (e.g., withdrawal time, side effects)
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Explain diagnosis and prognosis to clients using lay terminology
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Explain research results to client, describing its implications for animal care
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Help clients differentiate trustworthy from unreliable information (e.g., from Internet or advertisements) to support the care of their animals
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Inform client of bad news (e.g., animal terminal illness, show animal that can’t be bred)
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Instruct clients on how to obtain diagnostic information from an animal’s home environment (e.g., sleeping respiratory rate, stool or urine samples)
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Instruct clients on methods for isolating and quarantining diseased animals
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Negotiate payment plan with a client
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Obtain informed consent from client
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Provide instruction regarding food safety practices
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Provide verbal instructions to client regarding follow-up care (e.g., medications, wound care, environmental enrichment)
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Recommend management options to clients that are consistent with their cultural norms and personal values
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Refer client for grief counseling
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Talk with client to clarify concerns and expectations regarding type and level of care
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Teach client about preventive care (e.g., nutrition, behavior, dental, vaccines, parasites)
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Use appropriate communication techniques (e.g., open-ended inquiry, empathy)
- Communications with Clients (target blueprint 'Communication with Clients' 5%) — Write a summary of animal care instructions for a client
Professionalism, Practice Management, and Wellness (competency domain; target blueprint 'Professionalism, Practice Management and Wellness' 7%) (7%)
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Apply appropriate animal restraint
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Describe workings of benefit plan (e.g., retirement, health insurance) to staff
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Develop a budget for own practice or employer
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Develop standard operating procedures (e.g., procedures manual for practice or work environment)
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Evaluate and purchase major medical equipment
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Evaluate and purchase office/practice management software
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Evaluate new medications, products, or treatment procedures to determine suitability for own practice
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Negotiate work or practice arrangements (e.g., compensation, work schedule) with colleagues
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Prepare or update employee handbook
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Purchase expendable supplies (e.g., pharmaceuticals, dressing)
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Review practice management data, including business and financial records
- Veterinary Practice Management (target blueprint 4%) — Supervise paraprofessional or technical support staff
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Attend a professional development seminar or workshop
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Attend training on emerging technologies in veterinary medicine
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Conduct oneself in a professional, ethical, and legal manner
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Consult reference materials (e.g., journals, online databases, other) to help formulate diagnosis or treatment options
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Encourage veterinarian and support staff wellness
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Exchange new scientific or technical information with other health professionals
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Give a talk at a professional meeting
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Participate in activities of local, national, or international professional association (e.g., state veterinarian association)
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Participate in online professional development activity
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Participate in or conduct an investigation to test a new procedure (e.g., diagnostic, nutritional, medication, surgical)
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Participate in professional development activities (e.g., continuing education, board certification)
- Professional Development and Lifelong Learning (target blueprint 'Professional Development and Life-Long Learning' 3%) — Read a journal article for professional development
Examination sources
- ICVA — NAVLE
NAVLE Subject Matter, Exam Blueprint
- ICVA — NAVLE
NAVLE Subject Matter, Competencies weighting
- ICVA — NAVLE Competency Domains
Cover page subtitle
- ICVA — NAVLE Species and Diagnoses
Page 2 introduction
- ICVA blog — ICVA’s 2026 NAVLE Practice Analysis
Phase III paragraph
- ICVA — NAVLE
Overview, third paragraph
- ICVA — NAVLE
NAVLE Score Reports, second paragraph
- ICVA — NAVLE Candidate Handbook
Exam Structure and Timing, first paragraph
- ICVA — NAVLE Candidate Handbook
Exam Structure and Timing, block structure
- ICVA — NAVLE
NAVLE Application Eligibility, first paragraph
- ICVA — NAVLE
Licensing Agency Application for Approval, first sentence
- ICVA — NAVLE Candidate Handbook
NAVLE Fees