College of Veterinary Medicine

Professional Curriculum

Legal Requirements for Practice in the United States

Before you can practice veterinary medicine in the United States, you must obtain a license from the state or states in which you intend to practice. The license generally is issued by the Health Professions Bureau on the basis of an examination established by a veterinary licensing and registration board, including both a national board exam and a state exam. Some states issue licenses by reciprocity when the applicant has been licensed in other states.

In order to participate in the State-Federal Cooperative Animal Disease Control and Eradication programs, a veterinarian also must be federally accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.