Apply for a Veterinary Medicine License

The Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine issues three types of licenses to individuals seeking to practice veterinary medicine in Massachusetts:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Medicine - Limited Practitioner
• Veterinary Medicine - Tufts Practitioner

Please review the information below for a summary of the requirements for each license type.

Requirements for a Veterinary Medicine License

Summary of the Requirements for Licensure

In general, applicants for a veterinary medicine license must meet the following requirements:

• Graduate, or be within 210 days of graduation, from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited veterinary school.
• Obtain a passing score on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
• Obtain a passing score on the Massachusetts Jurisprudence Examination.
• Complete the Board’s online application.
• Pay an application and license fee.
• If requested, appear before the Board for an oral examination or interview.
   

Applicants who are graduates of a non-AVMA accredited veterinary school must also meet the above-listed requirements, but also complete the following requirements:

• Provide confirmation of a degree from a veterinary school; candidates receiving a degree from a foreign veterinary school must provide and original copy of the transcripts as well as an official, notarized English translation of the transcript (if not taught in English).
• Provide proof of enrollment in the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). Applicants must be enrolled in either program at time of application and provide proof of completion of the program before a license will be issued.

Requirements for the Veterinary Medicine - Limited Practitioner License

In general, applicants for a veterinary medicine – limited practitioner license must meet the following requirements:

• Graduate from an AVMA accredited veterinary school.
• Provide documentation of an AVMA Board Certification and a current CV/resume.
• Obtain a passing score on the Massachusetts Jurisprudence Examination.
• Complete the Board’s online application.
• Pay an application and license fee.
• If requested, appear before the Board for an oral examination or interview.

Requirements for the Veterinary Medicine - Tufts Practitioner License

This license is for applicants who plan to practice under the supervision of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. It is available to applicants working at or completing a fellowship or residency program at the University. For information on applying for this license, please contact Tufts University.

How to Apply

Effective 2018, all applicants are required to submit an application online through the Division of Professional Licensure’s ePLACE Portal. Prior to creating an account on ePLACE and beginning the application process, all applicants must review the Board’s Application Information Bulletin.

More Information

For detailed information on the application process, please review the Board’s Veterinary Medicine License Application Instructions & Information Document. Questions about the requirements for licensure or the application process in general, may be directed to the Board office by calling 617-727-5899 or by e-mail VetMedBoard@state.ma.us.

For technical assistance with the ePLACE portal, please call the ePLACE Help Desk Team at (844) 733-7522 or (844) 73-ePLAC or e-mail ePLACE_helpdesk@state.ma.us.