Professional Licensure

Licensing boards are tasked with regulating the practice of veterinary medicine in their jurisdictions in order to protect the welfare of the public. Regulators ensure those entering the practice of veterinary medicine meet a minimum standard of practice by being properly educated, qualified, and are fit to be licensed. This includes initial licensure after graduating from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited program. The PPVM program is accredited under the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in the United States. The NAVLE consists of clinically relevant multiple-choice questions and is available at select testing centers twice per year: November–December and April. Senior (fourth year) students and graduates of AVMA-accredited schools are eligible to take the NAVLE.

Each licensing jurisdiction has different requirements for licensure. Beyond graduation from an AVMA-accredited program and successful completion of the national licensing exam (NAVLE), the state of Nebraska also requires those applying for a veterinary license to complete a Nebraska State Jurisprudence Examination. This exam addresses the statutes and regulations of veterinary medicine and surgery in Nebraska.

List of AVMA-accredited institutions
https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/accredited-veterinary-colleges

NAVLE information
https://www.icva.net/navle

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine NAVLE pass rates
https://vetmed.iastate.edu/about/about-college/accreditation

Licensing boards for veterinary medicine
https://www.aavsb.org/DLR/

Nebraska Board of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Veterinary-Medicine-and-Surgery.aspx