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Utah Veterinarian — Requirements & Free Practice

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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.

Veterinarian Intern

Licence for supervised post-graduation clinical training; training and post-training limits are established by section 58-28-302(2).

Licensing authority: Utah Division of Professional Licensing, in consultation with the Veterinary Board · Application information

Extension after minimum clinical training
Eligibility
After completing minimum supervised clinical training, show satisfactory evidence to DOPL and the Board of reasonable progress toward passing the qualifying examination or another course reasonably expected to lead to veterinarian licensure. The total extension cannot exceed two years after completing minimum supervised clinical training.
Examination condition
Progress toward NAVLE is one statutory basis for continuation; the applicant need not have passed it to retain the intern licence under this extension.
Initial veterinary intern licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fee and requested qualifying-questionnaire documentation.
Education
Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary college or hold the AVMA ECFVG certificate. If degree completion is not yet posted to the transcript, submit the official transcript with the dean or registrar certification specified by R156-28-302a.
Practice and term
Practice under required supervision during clinical training; licence extends no more than one year after minimum training completion unless the statutory progress exception is established. A controlled-substance licence is unavailable to a veterinary intern.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Veterinarian

Licence to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry. Inactive, restricted, probationary, renewal and restoration pathways retain this licence classification.

Licensing authority: Utah Division of Professional Licensing, in consultation with the Veterinary Board · Application information

Licensure by endorsement: competency review of a licensed applicant
Active license wording
R156-1-302(2) says the prior licence need not currently be active. DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states: ENDORSEMENT APPLICANTS In addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit the following items:  Official verification, showing active licensure in good standing for at least one year, from a jurisdiction equivalent to Utah. Please see our website for additional information regarding approved jurisdictions. Note: If your jurisdiction is not deemed equivalent for purposes of endorsement, you may be able to use experience gained outside of the state to document the requirements for initial licensure above.
Applicant qualification
Hold a United States or foreign-jurisdiction licence, have at least one year of practice under it, and obtain DOPL determination that education, credentialing examination, experience and skills demonstrate professional competency under section 58-1-302(3)(a)(i). Foreign examinations are applicant evidence, not Utah route leaves.
Division discretion
R156-1-302(4) permits DOPL to require one or more profession licensing examinations. NAVLE is the identified current veterinary licensing examination; whether an individual must sit or may be excused is determined by DOPL.
Identity and good standing
Provide satisfactory evidence of identity, qualifications and professional good standing and pay the applicable fee. DOPL may refuse issuance for reasonable cause of nonqualification or previous or pending licence disciplinary action.
Licensure by endorsement: equivalent original licensing requirements
Active license wording
R156-1-302(2) says the prior licence need not currently be active. DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states: ENDORSEMENT APPLICANTS In addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit the following items:  Official verification, showing active licensure in good standing for at least one year, from a jurisdiction equivalent to Utah. Please see our website for additional information regarding approved jurisdictions. Note: If your jurisdiction is not deemed equivalent for purposes of endorsement, you may be able to use experience gained outside of the state to document the requirements for initial licensure above.
Applicant qualification
Hold a licence issued in a United States or foreign jurisdiction whose requirements when issued DOPL determines substantially similar to current Utah requirements under section 58-1-302(3)(a)(ii).
Division discretion
R156-1-302(4) permits DOPL to require one or more profession licensing examinations. NAVLE is the identified current veterinary licensing examination; whether an individual must sit or may be excused is determined by DOPL.
Identity and good standing
Provide satisfactory evidence of identity, qualifications and professional good standing and pay the applicable fee. DOPL may refuse issuance for reasonable cause of nonqualification or previous or pending licence disciplinary action.
Licensure by endorsement: substantially similar preparation without prior licensure
Active license wording
R156-1-302(2) says the prior licence need not currently be active. DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states: ENDORSEMENT APPLICANTS In addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit the following items:  Official verification, showing active licensure in good standing for at least one year, from a jurisdiction equivalent to Utah. Please see our website for additional information regarding approved jurisdictions. Note: If your jurisdiction is not deemed equivalent for purposes of endorsement, you may be able to use experience gained outside of the state to document the requirements for initial licensure above.
Applicant qualification
Never have been licensed in a United States or foreign jurisdiction; obtain DOPL determination that education, credentialing examination and experience acquired in such a jurisdiction are substantially similar to current Utah requirements under section 58-1-302(3)(b).
Division discretion
R156-1-302(4) permits DOPL to require one or more profession licensing examinations. NAVLE is the identified current veterinary licensing examination; whether an individual must sit or may be excused is determined by DOPL.
Identity and good standing
Provide satisfactory evidence of identity, qualifications and professional good standing and pay the applicable fee. DOPL may refuse issuance for reasonable cause of nonqualification or previous or pending licence disciplinary action.
Licensure by endorsement: similar scope United States licence with experience
Active license wording
R156-1-302(2) says the prior licence need not currently be active. DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states: ENDORSEMENT APPLICANTS In addition to the items required for all applicants, you must submit the following items:  Official verification, showing active licensure in good standing for at least one year, from a jurisdiction equivalent to Utah. Please see our website for additional information regarding approved jurisdictions. Note: If your jurisdiction is not deemed equivalent for purposes of endorsement, you may be able to use experience gained outside of the state to document the requirements for initial licensure above.
Applicant qualification
Hold a licence issued in a United States state, district or territory, with a scope DOPL determines similar, at least one year of practice under it, and good standing in the issuing jurisdiction.
Division discretion
R156-1-302(4) permits DOPL to require one or more profession licensing examinations. NAVLE is the identified current veterinary licensing examination; whether an individual must sit or may be excused is determined by DOPL.
Identity and good standing
Provide satisfactory evidence of identity, qualifications and professional good standing and pay the applicable fee. DOPL may refuse issuance for reasonable cause of nonqualification or previous or pending licence disciplinary action.
Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Hold an active veterinarian licence in good standing, submit a verified inactive-status application and pay the applicable fee. Inactive status may remain indefinitely and does not authorize veterinary practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Initial licensure by examination: accredited graduate
Application
Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fees and requested supporting documentation for qualifying-questionnaire responses.
Application experience wording
DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states: Documentation of at least 6 months veterinary practice as a licensed veterinarian outside of Utah or as an employee of the United States Government, its agencies, or the state or its political subdivisions. The controlling 2026 text of section 58-28-302(1)(c) specifies 1,000 hours.
Education
Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary college and submit official transcripts.
Experience
Complete 1,000 hours of supervised Utah veterinary practice, equivalent veterinary investigational, educational or sanitary-control work, licensed practice outside Utah, or qualifying government veterinary practice; submit verification under R156-28-302b.
Passing score
Submit the NAVLE passing score specified by R156-28-302c(2); passing may precede application.
Initial licensure by examination: ECFVG certificate holder
Application
Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fees and requested supporting documentation for qualifying-questionnaire responses.
Application experience wording
DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states: Documentation of at least 6 months veterinary practice as a licensed veterinarian outside of Utah or as an employee of the United States Government, its agencies, or the state or its political subdivisions. The controlling 2026 text of section 58-28-302(1)(c) specifies 1,000 hours.
Education
Obtain and submit the AVMA Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates certificate; the certificate is an educational qualification.
Experience
Complete 1,000 hours of supervised Utah veterinary practice, equivalent veterinary investigational, educational or sanitary-control work, licensed practice outside Utah, or qualifying government veterinary practice; submit verification under R156-28-302b.
Passing score
Submit the NAVLE passing score specified by R156-28-302c(2); passing may precede application.
Initial licensure using examinations passed before May 1, 2000
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fees and requested supporting documentation for qualifying-questionnaire responses.
Application wording
DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states "Verification of Passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam". The controlling R156-28-302c(1) separately accepts the pre-May 1, 2000 NBE and CCT documentation.
Education
Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary college or hold the AVMA ECFVG certificate.
Experience
Complete 1,000 hours of supervised Utah veterinary practice, equivalent veterinary investigational, educational or sanitary-control work, licensed practice outside Utah, or qualifying government veterinary practice; submit verification under R156-28-302b.
Prior examination evidence
Applicants who passed examinations before May 1, 2000 must document the minimum passing NBE and CCT scores specified by R156-28-302c(1). These previously administered examinations are prior-score conditions, not currently offered examination leaves.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Activation of an inactive veterinarian licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee and certify compliance with renewal qualifications; renewal date is September 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education
Complete 24 hours each two-year cycle, including at least one hour recognizing opioid use and dependency and one hour on veterinary workplace communication. Initial-cycle hours are prorated. Maintain CE records for two years after the cycle. A permitted CE waiver is an applicant condition. Self-study-course knowledge checks under R156-28-304a(4)(d) are unnamed course conditions, not licensing examinations.
Status
Submit the verified activation application and fee and documentation meeting current renewal requirements under R156-1-305(4).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Reinstatement of a good standing expired licence: from expiration through 30 days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee and certify compliance with renewal qualifications; renewal date is September 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education
Complete 24 hours each two-year cycle, including at least one hour recognizing opioid use and dependency and one hour on veterinary workplace communication. Initial-cycle hours are prorated. Maintain CE records for two years after the cycle. A permitted CE waiver is an applicant condition. Self-study-course knowledge checks under R156-28-304a(4)(d) are unnamed course conditions, not licensing examinations.
Eligibility
Licence was active and in good standing at expiration; submit the Division renewal form from expiration through 30 days after expiration and pay renewal and late fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Reinstatement of a good standing expired licence: 31 days through two years after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee and certify compliance with renewal qualifications; renewal date is September 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education
Complete 24 hours each two-year cycle, including at least one hour recognizing opioid use and dependency and one hour on veterinary workplace communication. Initial-cycle hours are prorated. Maintain CE records for two years after the cycle. A permitted CE waiver is an applicant condition. Self-study-course knowledge checks under R156-28-304a(4)(d) are unnamed course conditions, not licensing examinations.
Eligibility
Licence was active and in good standing at expiration; submit the Division renewal form 31 days through two years after expiration and pay renewal and reinstatement fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Reinstatement after suspension term or expiry in disciplined status
Education and experience
Meet applicable initial education and experience requirements under section 58-28-302.
Eligibility
Unless a disciplinary order provides otherwise, demonstrate current initial qualifications and reinstatement conditions, provide requested competency evidence, and pay renewal, reinstatement and outstanding fine or citation amounts.
Order conditions
Any individualized disciplinary order or Division competency determination remains an applicant condition; no unidentified examination slot is invented.
Prior scores
The examination may have been passed before application. R156-28-302c(1) accepts prior NBE and CCT scores for examinations passed before May 1, 2000; these discontinued examinations are conditions rather than leaves.
Reinstatement after continuous qualifying outside practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee and certify compliance with renewal qualifications; renewal date is September 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education
Complete 24 hours each two-year cycle, including at least one hour recognizing opioid use and dependency and one hour on veterinary workplace communication. Initial-cycle hours are prorated. Maintain CE records for two years after the cycle. A permitted CE waiver is an applicant condition. Self-study-course knowledge checks under R156-28-304a(4)(d) are unnamed course conditions, not licensing examinations.
Eligibility
Since Utah expiry, continuously practice the profession under a United States state or territory licence or in full-time United States government service. Apply within six months after reestablishing Utah domicile or ending that service; document continuous practice and renewal qualifications and pay renewal and reinstatement fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Reinstatement more than two years after expiry without continuous qualifying practice
Education and experience
Meet applicable initial education and experience requirements under section 58-28-302.
Eligibility
Submit a new-license application demonstrating current initial qualifications and pay the new-applicant fee.
Order conditions
Any individualized disciplinary order or Division competency determination remains an applicant condition; no unidentified examination slot is invented.
Prior scores
The examination may have been passed before application. R156-28-302c(1) accepts prior NBE and CCT scores for examinations passed before May 1, 2000; these discontinued examinations are conditions rather than leaves.
Relicensure after revocation
Education and experience
Meet applicable initial education and experience requirements under section 58-28-302.
Eligibility
Demonstrate current initial qualifications and reinstatement conditions, pay the new-applicant fee, and provide requested evidence of current competency.
Order conditions
Any individualized disciplinary order or Division competency determination remains an applicant condition; no unidentified examination slot is invented.
Prior scores
The examination may have been passed before application. R156-28-302c(1) accepts prior NBE and CCT scores for examinations passed before May 1, 2000; these discontinued examinations are conditions rather than leaves.
Relicensure after surrender while not in good standing
Education and experience
Meet applicable initial education and experience requirements under section 58-28-302.
Eligibility
Demonstrate current initial qualifications and reinstatement conditions, pay the new-applicant fee and outstanding fines or citations, and provide requested competency evidence.
Order conditions
Any individualized disciplinary order or Division competency determination remains an applicant condition; no unidentified examination slot is invented.
Prior scores
The examination may have been passed before application. R156-28-302c(1) accepts prior NBE and CCT scores for examinations passed before May 1, 2000; these discontinued examinations are conditions rather than leaves.
Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee and certify compliance with renewal qualifications; renewal date is September 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education
Complete 24 hours each two-year cycle, including at least one hour recognizing opioid use and dependency and one hour on veterinary workplace communication. Initial-cycle hours are prorated. Maintain CE records for two years after the cycle. A permitted CE waiver is an applicant condition. Self-study-course knowledge checks under R156-28-304a(4)(d) are unnamed course conditions, not licensing examinations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Initial restricted or probationary licensure
Application
Submit the prescribed verified application, identity documentation, applicable fees and requested supporting documentation for qualifying-questionnaire responses.
Application experience wording
DOPL Veterinarian Application v20250306, page 7 states: Documentation of at least 6 months veterinary practice as a licensed veterinarian outside of Utah or as an employee of the United States Government, its agencies, or the state or its political subdivisions. The controlling 2026 text of section 58-28-302(1)(c) specifies 1,000 hours.
Education
Meet section 58-28-302(1)(b).
Experience
Complete 1,000 hours of supervised Utah veterinary practice, equivalent veterinary investigational, educational or sanitary-control work, licensed practice outside Utah, or qualifying government veterinary practice; submit verification under R156-28-302b.
Passing score
Submit the NAVLE passing score specified by R156-28-302c(2); passing may precede application.
Restrictions
Applicant appears to meet licensing qualifications but has relevant unlawful, unprofessional or other conduct. DOPL determines monitoring, supervision or other reasonable restrictions necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare; issuance is a partial denial subject to review.
Restricted or probationary renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee and certify compliance with renewal qualifications; renewal date is September 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education
Complete 24 hours each two-year cycle, including at least one hour recognizing opioid use and dependency and one hour on veterinary workplace communication. Initial-cycle hours are prorated. Maintain CE records for two years after the cycle. A permitted CE waiver is an applicant condition. Self-study-course knowledge checks under R156-28-304a(4)(d) are unnamed course conditions, not licensing examinations.
Restrictions
Meet renewal qualifications; DOPL may impose reasonable monitoring, supervision or other restrictions for the conduct and protection findings under section 58-1-304.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Temporary Veterinarian

Temporary practice authorization under section 58-28-304 or the applicable pathway under section 58-1-303.

Licensing authority: Utah Division of Professional Licensing, in consultation with the Veterinary Board · Application information

Temporary foreign graduate practice pending the ECFVG Clinical Proficiency Examination

All of the following:

Controlled substances
Temporary holders may not administer, possess or prescribe controlled substances.
Program progress
Provide official AVMA verification of completing ECFVG steps 1 through 3 and proof of eligibility for the next available ECFVG Clinical Proficiency Examination. Unnamed assessments embedded in the certification steps are applicant conditions.
Supervision
Identify a Utah veterinarian in good standing who attests to direct supervision.
Term
The application supervisor attestation states expiry one year after issuance or upon release of official failing examination results; meet section 58-1-303 and take the next available examination.
Temporary practice for an emergency, service shortage or observation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Hold another-state veterinary licence whose requirements when obtained were equal to or greater than Utah requirements. DOPL and the Board must find issuance justified by an emergency or governmental circumstance, a qualifying shortage of services, or a need to observe the applicant in monitored or supervised practice before deciding regular licensure.
Prior licensure
Qualifications of the licence held elsewhere are applicant evidence; another state examination is not a Utah requirement leaf.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

Extension of the examination pending temporary licence
Eligibility
Show the Board good cause for failing to take or pass the examination; a majority of Board members must recommend extension.
Term
DOPL may extend expiry until the following examination date; indirect supervision continues.
Temporary practice while the veterinarian examination is pending
Eligibility
Meet section 58-28-302 requirements except the examination and experience clauses (1)(a) and (c), and do not qualify under section 58-1-302.
Supervision
Practice under indirect supervision of a Utah-licensed veterinarian.
Term
Temporary licence expires when results of the next examination following issuance become available; NAVLE passage is not required before this temporary issuance.
Temporary teaching or assistance by an externally licensed veterinarian
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Hold a veterinary licence in another state or country and be temporarily in Utah to teach or assist a Utah resident licensed to practice the profession. Issuance is discretionary under section 58-1-303(1)(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-29.

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

Clinical Proficiency Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
AVMA ECFVG in cooperation with approved sites (faculty of a college of veterinary medicine or other authorized testing institution)
Format
Hands-on, performance-based clinical skills examination in 7 sections over 3 days
Passing score
At least 60 of 100 points in each section except anesthesia and surgery, which are scored pass or fail; all 7 sections must be passed
Exam fee
$12,804 (USD) for 2026 administrations after January 1 ($12,604 CPE application fee + $200 administrative fee)
Examination sources