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Texas Veterinarian — Requirements & Free Practice

US-TX · 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.

Provisional License to Practice Veterinary Medicine

Licensing authority: Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (under temporary Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation administration) · Application information

Provisional license while processing military alternative license application
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Qualified military service member, veteran or spouse applying under 55.004. Agency promptly issues the applied-for license or a provisional license during processing.
Duration
Provisional license ends at application approval or denial or the 180th day, whichever comes first. Issuance pending processing does not itself require an examination. Underlying final-route qualifications remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Provisional licensure — military spouse formerly licensed in Texas
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Status
Spouse of an active-duty US armed-forces member; Texas veterinary license within preceding five years cancelled for failure to renew while living in another state at least six months.
Term
Subject to statutory provisional-application processing and the requirements for conversion to regular licensure.
Waiver
571.11(e) excuses subsection (b) qualifications except an 85 percent jurisprudence passing score and application fee. Current 55.009 waives state application and examination fees for military spouses.
Provisional licensure — veterinarian licensed in another US jurisdiction
Application
Board application, supporting documents and fee.
Duration
801.257(c) makes the license valid until the application is approved or denied and requires processing within 180 days. The earlier 571.11(f) text also specifies first-SBE-related endpoints; the controlling statute governs duration.
Education
AVMA-accredited veterinary degree or ECFVG/PAVE certificate.
Exams
Passing NAVLE score (or prior discontinued national-exam evidence); petition for Board national-exam exception possible. Jurisprudence passing score is 85 percent.
Experience
References from at least two licensed veterinary employers or colleagues with direct knowledge of practice and experience.
Other license
Current active license in good standing in a US jurisdiction with substantially equivalent licensing requirements and professional standards.
Restriction
Specific practice restrictions may apply; Board rule disallows previous Board-exam failures and reissue, extension or renewal.

Veterinary License

Licensing authority: Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (under temporary Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation administration) · Application information

Board ordered veterinary SBE reexamination
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Order
Only when the particular Board disciplinary order imposes SBE reexamination as a sanction. Disciplinary discretion does not make the identified examination disappear. Other sanctions, CE, reporting and order compliance apply as imposed.
New regular license after expiry of at least one year
Application
Reinstatement affidavit and current photograph under 571.58; supporting documents and fees.
Board rule
571.59(b) expressly requires SBE and criminal-history compliance and permits a Board appearance. Military and out-of-state practitioner exceptions apply independently.
Expiry
License expired at least one year; original-license requirements including examinations apply under 801.303(d).
New license for former Texas veterinarian practicing out of state
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board condition
571.59(d) also says: "a veterinary licensee who has been licensed and practicing in another state or jurisdiction for the two years preceding application may obtain a new license without reexamination within two years of the date his or her Texas license expired." 801.305 supplies the controlling route and does not impose that two-year-after-expiry limit.
Fee
Pay fee equal to the ordinary renewal fee. Statute expressly permits issuance without reexamination.
Prior license
Previously licensed in Texas, moved to another state, currently licensed there in good standing and practiced there for the two years immediately preceding application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Return from inactive veterinary status to active status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Receive written Board approval before returning to Texas practice and pay reactivation fee.
Continuing education
If the required annual CE average was maintained, no extra CE; otherwise complete twice the annual requirement within twelve months after return. Reactivation-year CE proof is not required for active renewal in the following year.
Other license
If licensed and practicing in another jurisdiction, prove good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Initial licensure — accredited veterinary graduate
Age
At least the age of majority.
Application
Submit Board application, official education and examination records, fees, and required fingerprint-based criminal background check. Grounds for denial under 801.401 and 801.402 apply.
Board online instruction
Approved applicants purchase the DVM online SBE with their candidate ID and complete it in one sitting within ten days.
Education
Graduate of a Board-approved AVMA-accredited veterinary school or college.
National score
NAVLE passing score required; historical NBE and CCT scores obtained before NAVLE replaced that examination in 2000 remain prior evidence. The Board may grant a written exception under 571.5(c) and impose competence requirements under 571.5(d).
Reciprocity
801.166 authorizes future reciprocity agreements with gubernatorial approval. The implementing 571.31 text says: "The Board shall not accept applications for licensure under any former reciprocal licensing agreements with any state, nor shall the Board license by endorsement." The Board DVM requirements provide the examination pathway for applicants; no implemented separate reciprocity pathway is established by these sources.
State score
SBE passing score is at least 85 percent and remains valid for one year; pass the national examination or NAVLE before applying for SBE.
Initial licensure — nonaccredited veterinary graduate
Age
At least the age of majority.
Application
Submit Board application, official education and examination records, fees, and required fingerprint-based criminal background check. Grounds for denial under 801.401 and 801.402 apply.
Board online instruction
Approved applicants purchase the DVM online SBE with their candidate ID and complete it in one sitting within ten days.
Education
Graduate of a veterinary school or college and possess an ECFVG or PAVE certificate satisfactory to the Board.
National score
NAVLE passing score required; historical NBE and CCT scores obtained before NAVLE replaced that examination in 2000 remain prior evidence. The Board may grant a written exception under 571.5(c) and impose competence requirements under 571.5(d).
Reciprocity
801.166 authorizes future reciprocity agreements with gubernatorial approval. The implementing 571.31 text says: "The Board shall not accept applications for licensure under any former reciprocal licensing agreements with any state, nor shall the Board license by endorsement." The Board DVM requirements provide the examination pathway for applicants; no implemented separate reciprocity pathway is established by these sources.
State score
SBE passing score is at least 85 percent and remains valid for one year; pass the national examination or NAVLE before applying for SBE.
Initial licensure — examination eligibility before graduation
Age
At least the age of majority.
Application
Submit Board application, official education and examination records, fees, and required fingerprint-based criminal background check. Grounds for denial under 801.401 and 801.402 apply.
Board online instruction
Approved applicants purchase the DVM online SBE with their candidate ID and complete it in one sitting within ten days.
Education
Dean must certify the accredited student is within 120 days of completing the veterinary college program and expected to graduate. NAVLE student eligibility is within ten months of expected graduation; licensure requires the degree. For a combined degree, the dean must certify actual veterinary graduation before SBE eligibility.
National score
NAVLE passing score required; historical NBE and CCT scores obtained before NAVLE replaced that examination in 2000 remain prior evidence. The Board may grant a written exception under 571.5(c) and impose competence requirements under 571.5(d).
Reciprocity
801.166 authorizes future reciprocity agreements with gubernatorial approval. The implementing 571.31 text says: "The Board shall not accept applications for licensure under any former reciprocal licensing agreements with any state, nor shall the Board license by endorsement." The Board DVM requirements provide the examination pathway for applicants; no implemented separate reciprocity pathway is established by these sources.
State score
SBE passing score is at least 85 percent and remains valid for one year; pass the national examination or NAVLE before applying for SBE.
Alternative and expedited military licensure — formerly licensed in Texas
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board page notice
The general SBE page says "The Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE) are required for all license categories." The specific 571.17 alternative issuance requirements do not require SBE; the general page demand is retained here for the applicant.
Denial
571.17 excludes 801.401/801.402 disqualification and surrender of the Texas license in lieu of discipline within five years.
Fees
Current 55.009 waives state application and examination fees for military service members, veterans and spouses.
Issuance
Current 55.005 requires processing and issuance within ten business days to a qualified applicant, with ordinary rights and responsibilities. 55.006 supplies the statutory term and renewal notice; the earlier 571.17(b) describes a twelve-month term and original licensure qualifications on renewal.
Military status
Military service member, military veteran or military spouse as defined in 55.001.
Qualification
Held the Texas license within the five years preceding application.
Recognition alternative
55.0041 also authorizes qualifying service members and spouses with a similar-scope out-of-state license to practice without obtaining a Texas license after prescribed application, military-order, marriage-document and affidavit procedures. That statutory recognition is not a newly issued Texas veterinary license; it is an alternative applicant authorization condition.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Alternative and expedited military licensure — current comparable out of state license
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination
Board page notice
The general SBE page says "The Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE) are required for all license categories." The specific 571.17 alternative issuance requirements do not require SBE; the general page demand is retained here for the applicant.
Denial
571.17 excludes 801.401/801.402 disqualification and surrender of the Texas license in lieu of discipline within five years.
Fees
Current 55.009 waives state application and examination fees for military service members, veterans and spouses.
Issuance
Current 55.005 requires processing and issuance within ten business days to a qualified applicant, with ordinary rights and responsibilities. 55.006 supplies the statutory term and renewal notice; the earlier 571.17(b) describes a twelve-month term and original licensure qualifications on renewal.
Military status
Military service member, military veteran or military spouse as defined in 55.001.
Qualification
Current similar-scope veterinary license in good standing from another state. The earlier 571.17(a)(1) profession-specific rule identifies NAVLE passage (or discontinued national-exam prior evidence) and veterinary graduation for that other jurisdiction; Board discretion to waive prerequisites under 55.004(b) remains an applicant condition.
Recognition alternative
55.0041 also authorizes qualifying service members and spouses with a similar-scope out-of-state license to practice without obtaining a Texas license after prescribed application, military-order, marriage-document and affidavit procedures. That statutory recognition is not a newly issued Texas veterinary license; it is an alternative applicant authorization condition.
Regular licensure following a provisional veterinary license
Completion
Pass the licensing examination; Board verifies academic and experience requirements and all other chapter requirements within 180 days. National-exam waivers remain subject to applicable Board and military provisions.
Status
Hold a provisional veterinary license.
Late renewal — over 90 days under year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiry
Expired more than 90 days but less than one year; fee is twice normal.
Practice
No licensed activity until renewed; other renewal qualifications still apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Late renewal — up to 90 days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiry
Expired 90 days or less; renewal fee is 1.5 times normal.
Practice
No licensed activity until renewed; other renewal qualifications still apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Unexpired regular license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Meet applicable CE and audit obligations; ordinary veterinarians require 17 hours annually and two hours of opioid-abuse and controlled-substance-diversion CE every two years. Inactive and retired exceptions are governed by their status rules.
Fingerprints
Fingerprint-based criminal history information required by 801.309.
Military
801.304 exempts qualifying active-duty veterinarians not in private/civilian practice and permanently totally retired veterinarians from renewal fees.
Practice
Special and inactive restrictions continue; inactive status is not authority to practice.
Status
Otherwise eligible unexpired license; complete renewal application and pay the appropriate fee before expiry.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Reinstate after retirement longer than one renewal period
National discretion
571.54(d)(2) expressly permits the Board to require NAVLE before SBE. The identified current discretionary examination remains a leaf.
Petition
Written petition and examination-for-reinstatement application with documents and fees; reexamination and original-license qualifications.
Reinstate after first retirement in the same renewal year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Maintain an annual average of 17 approved CE hours or complete 34 hours in the twelve months after reinstatement.
Fee
Pay annual renewal fee plus the administrative processing fee specified in 571.54(c).
Status
First retirement and requested reinstatement in that same renewal year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked veterinary license
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Eligibility
Normally five years after surrender or revocation, unless the order sets another time; reinstatement must be available under the order. Does not apply to nonpayment lapses.
Examination
After grant, complete the State Board Licensing Examination in the veterinary practice area. Additional unnamed competence testing is an applicant condition.
Petition
Board-prescribed written petition; petitioner or counsel appears and bears burden of good cause. Board may deny, reinstate with probation/conditions, or authorize reinstatement. A denied petition requires twelve months before another petition.
Review
Board considers rehabilitation, character, employment, family support, CE, criminal and other agency history, compliance with orders and practice laws, impairments and gravity of the offense.
Restoration following temporary license suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Review
Enforcement Committee may lift temporary suspension and reinstate without conditions, negotiate an agreed order, or proceed to SOAH. Any individualized additional examinations imposed by the particular order are separate conditions or Board-ordered examination pathways.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Special License to Practice Veterinary Medicine

Licensing authority: Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (under temporary Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation administration) · Application information

New special license after expiry of at least one year
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Employment
The applicable employment or specialty qualifications and limited practice scope must be established again.
Expiry
A special license expired at least one year requires original special-license eligibility and examination procedures under 801.303(d) and 571.9(a)(6).
Special licensure — Veterinarian employee of the Texas Animal Health Commission — critical need
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Board instructions
571.9 requires an application at least 45 days before the examination and an 85 percent jurisprudence passing score. Its education wording also accepts ECFVG/PAVE certificates and says age of majority; 801.256(b) controls eligibility: "is at least 21 years of age and a graduate of a board-approved veterinary medicine program at an institution of higher education".
Employment
Veterinarian employee of the Texas Animal Health Commission. Employer must certify the position and describe duties requiring a special license.
Exam identity
The Board calls this the jurisprudence section of its licensing examination. The official ADA form identifies both regular and special-license question examinations as SBE; the current catalog offers a DVM-only licensing SBE. It is distinct from the veterinarian disciplinary exam.
Qualification
Written affirmation of critical staffing need by the authorized dean or executive director and national veterinary specialty-board certification or eligibility under 801.256(b)(1)(B).
Restricted practice
Practice only within employment or practice scope; termination of employment or exceeding scope can cause suspension or revocation.
Special licensure — Veterinarian employee of the Texas Animal Health Commission — education
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Board instructions
571.9 requires an application at least 45 days before the examination and an 85 percent jurisprudence passing score. Its education wording also accepts ECFVG/PAVE certificates and says age of majority; 801.256(b) controls eligibility: "is at least 21 years of age and a graduate of a board-approved veterinary medicine program at an institution of higher education".
Employment
Veterinarian employee of the Texas Animal Health Commission. Employer must certify the position and describe duties requiring a special license.
Exam identity
The Board calls this the jurisprudence section of its licensing examination. The official ADA form identifies both regular and special-license question examinations as SBE; the current catalog offers a DVM-only licensing SBE. It is distinct from the veterinarian disciplinary exam.
Qualification
801.256(b)(1)(A) requires age at least 21 and graduation from a Board-approved veterinary program.
Restricted practice
Practice only within employment or practice scope; termination of employment or exceeding scope can cause suspension or revocation.
Change a special veterinary license category
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Special-license holder submits category-change request to the Board for approval under 571.9(d); eligibility and practice restrictions for the proposed category apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Special licensure — Veterinarian employee of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory — critical need
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Board instructions
571.9 requires an application at least 45 days before the examination and an 85 percent jurisprudence passing score. Its education wording also accepts ECFVG/PAVE certificates and says age of majority; 801.256(b) controls eligibility: "is at least 21 years of age and a graduate of a board-approved veterinary medicine program at an institution of higher education".
Employment
Veterinarian employee of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Employer must certify the position and describe duties requiring a special license.
Exam identity
The Board calls this the jurisprudence section of its licensing examination. The official ADA form identifies both regular and special-license question examinations as SBE; the current catalog offers a DVM-only licensing SBE. It is distinct from the veterinarian disciplinary exam.
Qualification
Written affirmation of critical staffing need by the authorized dean or executive director and national veterinary specialty-board certification or eligibility under 801.256(b)(1)(B).
Restricted practice
Practice only within employment or practice scope; termination of employment or exceeding scope can cause suspension or revocation.
Special licensure — Veterinarian employee of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory — education
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Board instructions
571.9 requires an application at least 45 days before the examination and an 85 percent jurisprudence passing score. Its education wording also accepts ECFVG/PAVE certificates and says age of majority; 801.256(b) controls eligibility: "is at least 21 years of age and a graduate of a board-approved veterinary medicine program at an institution of higher education".
Employment
Veterinarian employee of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Employer must certify the position and describe duties requiring a special license.
Exam identity
The Board calls this the jurisprudence section of its licensing examination. The official ADA form identifies both regular and special-license question examinations as SBE; the current catalog offers a DVM-only licensing SBE. It is distinct from the veterinarian disciplinary exam.
Qualification
801.256(b)(1)(A) requires age at least 21 and graduation from a Board-approved veterinary program.
Restricted practice
Practice only within employment or practice scope; termination of employment or exceeding scope can cause suspension or revocation.
Special licensure — Faculty or staff of a Board approved veterinary program at an institution of higher education — critical need
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Board instructions
571.9 requires an application at least 45 days before the examination and an 85 percent jurisprudence passing score. Its education wording also accepts ECFVG/PAVE certificates and says age of majority; 801.256(b) controls eligibility: "is at least 21 years of age and a graduate of a board-approved veterinary medicine program at an institution of higher education".
Employment
Faculty or staff of a Board-approved veterinary program at an institution of higher education. Employer must certify the position and describe duties requiring a special license.
Exam identity
The Board calls this the jurisprudence section of its licensing examination. The official ADA form identifies both regular and special-license question examinations as SBE; the current catalog offers a DVM-only licensing SBE. It is distinct from the veterinarian disciplinary exam.
Qualification
Written affirmation of critical staffing need by the authorized dean or executive director and national veterinary specialty-board certification or eligibility under 801.256(b)(1)(B).
Restricted practice
Practice only within employment or practice scope; termination of employment or exceeding scope can cause suspension or revocation.
Special licensure — Faculty or staff of a Board approved veterinary program at an institution of higher education — education
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Board instructions
571.9 requires an application at least 45 days before the examination and an 85 percent jurisprudence passing score. Its education wording also accepts ECFVG/PAVE certificates and says age of majority; 801.256(b) controls eligibility: "is at least 21 years of age and a graduate of a board-approved veterinary medicine program at an institution of higher education".
Employment
Faculty or staff of a Board-approved veterinary program at an institution of higher education. Employer must certify the position and describe duties requiring a special license.
Exam identity
The Board calls this the jurisprudence section of its licensing examination. The official ADA form identifies both regular and special-license question examinations as SBE; the current catalog offers a DVM-only licensing SBE. It is distinct from the veterinarian disciplinary exam.
Qualification
801.256(b)(1)(A) requires age at least 21 and graduation from a Board-approved veterinary program.
Restricted practice
Practice only within employment or practice scope; termination of employment or exceeding scope can cause suspension or revocation.
Late renewal — over 90 days under year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiry
Expired more than 90 days but less than one year; fee is twice normal.
Practice
No licensed activity until renewed; other renewal qualifications still apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Late renewal — up to 90 days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiry
Expired 90 days or less; renewal fee is 1.5 times normal.
Practice
No licensed activity until renewed; other renewal qualifications still apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Unexpired special license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Meet applicable CE and audit obligations; ordinary veterinarians require 17 hours annually and two hours of opioid-abuse and controlled-substance-diversion CE every two years. Inactive and retired exceptions are governed by their status rules.
Fingerprints
Fingerprint-based criminal history information required by 801.309.
Military
801.304 exempts qualifying active-duty veterinarians not in private/civilian practice and permanently totally retired veterinarians from renewal fees.
Practice
Special and inactive restrictions continue; inactive status is not authority to practice.
Status
Otherwise eligible unexpired license; complete renewal application and pay the appropriate fee before expiry.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Special licensure — unrepresented or underrepresented specialty
Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)
Education
801.256(b) eligibility applies; Board 571.9(b) also specifies approved veterinary graduation or ECFVG/PAVE certification.
Other license
Current active veterinary license in good standing in another US jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements.
Scope
Practice is limited to the approved specialty scope; passing score is 85 percent.
Specialty need
Board must find need, shortage or demand, specialty competence, and passing jurisprudence; certification from an approved employing sponsor or controlling authority. Applicant cannot already hold a special license.

Texas State Veterinary Licensing Examination (SBE)

Format
Online examination
Passing score
85 percent
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • Scope of Practice and Board Authority
    • Scope, Definitions, and Exemptions
    • Board Authority and Rulemaking
  • Licensure, Examination, and Renewal
    • Initial Licensure and Examinations
    • Renewal, Continuing Education, and License Status
  • Patient Care and Personnel
    • Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship and Client Care
    • Supervision, Delegation, and Auxiliary Personnel
  • Medications and Records
    • Medications, Controlled Substances, and Compounding
    • Medical Records and Confidentiality
  • Professional Conduct and Facilities
    • Ethics, Advertising, and Professional Identification
    • Facilities, Sanitation, Security, and Inspection
  • Enforcement and Governance
    • Complaints, Discipline, and Sanctions
    • Administrative Procedure and Board Governance
Examination sources

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