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Licensing

Veterinary Licensure and Technician Certification

 

COVID-RELATED UPDATES:

1.  For everyone's safety, please do not bring any documents

applications to our office!  Our office is now closed to walk-ins. Please send documents by mail, email to [email protected], or fax to 602-364-1039.  If you need to speak with a staff member, please call 602-364-1738. 

2.  NOTICE!  VETERINARY LICENSE APPLICANTS:  In-person State Exams have been cancelled indefinitely due to the COVID-19 situation. The required examination will be done via a "take home" exam that will be EMAILED to applicants with complete applications.  Applicants will have 2 weeks from the time we email the exam to complete it and return it via email.

    What else is new?

    * Veterinarians licensed in another state who are coming to Arizona during the State of Emergency and must start work ASAP, please call 602-542-8166 for information about Temporary Licenses, which are issued for a 30-day period.

     *License verifications for veterinarians:  The $15 fee is waived until further notice!

    * The Veterinarian State exam will ONLY cover the statutes and administrative rules that pertain to the Arizona Veterinary Medical Examining Board.  See the "Statutes and Rules" tab to find those two documents.

     *The exam will be an abbreviated version of our usual exams. They will be true/false and/or multiple choice questions.  They are "open book" exams.

       *For applications:  

           a.  Applications received before April 1, 2021: you are not required to submit the application fee with your application, although you may to so.  We will collect it at the time you pay your issuance fee - or - if you prefer, you will have up to 30 days after Executive Order 2020-17 is rescinded to pay all the fees.

         b.  If it would be difficult for you to mail your application, you may email your application, resume, copies of government-issued ID, and/or proof of legal entry in the U.S. to [email protected].  By law, the agency has 15 days to review veterinary applications and 30 days for CVTs. We usually do it much faster than that, but we appreciate your patience.

        c.   Veterinary license applicants:  we will EMAIL you the State exam soon after your application is complete unless you indicate that you would like us to send it at a later time.  

 The Board issues licenses to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Arizona and certifies veterinary technicians. Licenses and certificates are renewed every two years to remain active, with an expiration date of December 31st of every even-numbered year. All the forms you may need can be found below or via the "Forms" tab.

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Licensure and Certification by Universal Recognition 

On August 27, 2019 the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board began to accept applications for licensure and CVT certification by universal recognition.   Applications are posted in the document sections below.

The universal recognition policy allows Arizona residents to use an out-of-state professional or occupational license to qualify for an Arizona license to work. To qualify, an applicant must:

-Prove residency in Arizona.

-Be currently licensed or certified for at least one year in another U.S. state in the discipline applied for and at the same level of practice as recognized in Arizona.

-Be in good standing in all states where currently or previously licensed or certified and have no open investigations.

-Have met all applicable education, work, exam, and/or clinical supervision requirements in the other state where originally licensed or certified.

-Take and pass the Arizona State exam (veterinary or CVT).

-Pay all applicable fees to the Arizona Veterinary Medical Examining Board (Veterinarian: $400 application fee; $200 issuance fee (odd-numbered year) or $100 (even-numbered year.   CVT: $150 application fee; $50 issuance fee (odd-numbered year) or $25 (even-numbered year)

 

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Veterinarians - Pathways to Licensure

Regular License:

Applicant is a graduate from a college of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA or holds a certificate issued by the ECFVG or PAVE and has taken the NAVLE within the past 5 years. Passing the State Veterinary Exam is required.  Application fee: $400.  License issuance fee:  $100 (even-numbered year) or $200 (odd-numbered year).

*ATTENTION Spring/Summer 2021 Graduates:  Through June 2021, the State exam process will remain under most adopted COVID-related procedures, which include the State exam being an "open book" exam covering the Arizona Revised Statutes - Title 32/Chapter 21 (i.e., the Veterinary Practice Act) and associated Administrative Rules. The exam will be emailed to you approximately 1-2 weeks after your application is determined to be complete, although you may request that it be sent later. You will have 2 weeks to complete the exam and return it. 

There are no deadlines to meet; we will notify you once your application is complete and the process will continue from there. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as you can if you have already committed to a starting date for work in Arizona. Your license cannot be issued until: (1) you have passed the State exam, (2) we have received proof that your degree has been conferred (e.g. copy of diploma, letter from your veterinary college, or official/final transcript, and (3) your $200 license issuance fee has been received. Application fees are due at the time of application.

Note: Because of this revised licensing process, no Temporary Permits will be issued, as they are tied to the pre-COVID process of once per month, in-person exams. The current process is quicker (from the agency side). You also play a big role in how fast your license can be issued by quickly submitting proof of graduation and paying the issuance fee (note--you do not have to wait for your license to be issued to pay the fee. If you will be in a rush to be licensed, you may want to submit the $200 issuance fee with your application fee!)

Important!:  Although the review time is usually much faster, per AZ Administrative Rules, the Board has 15 days from the day of receipt in which to inform you whether your application is complete.

LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT:

Applicant is a graduate from a college of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA or holds a certificate issued by the ECFVG or PAVE, has not taken the NAVLE within the past 5 years, is currently licensed as a veterinarian in another state and has been actively working in veterinary medicine for at least three of the preceding five years or six of the preceding ten years. Passing the State Veterinary Exam is required.   Application/License issuance fee: $750

LICENSURE BY UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION:

Applicant can show proof of Arizona residency (by submitting 1 of 5 accepted documents, e.g. AZ driver's license), has held a license in good standing in at least one other U.S. state for at least 1 year, and has no open complaints in any state where licensed, and has never had a license revoked or suspended. See application for complete requirements.  Application fee: $400.  License issuance fee: $100 (even-numbered year) or $200 (odd-numbered year).

The benefit of this pathway is that it requires less documentation and the total fees are less than Licensure by Endorsement.  Passing the State Veterinary Exam is required.

Specialty License:

Applicant is a graduate from a college of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA or holds a certificate issued by the ECFVG or PAVE AND holds a current certification as a specialist of a national specialty board or college recognized by the AVMA. Passing the NAVLE is not required. The applicant’s practice will be limited to the scope of the applicant’s board certification. Passing the State Veterinary Exam is required.

STATE EMPLOYEE LICENSE:  Applicant is a State of Arizona employee who serves as a veterinarian. License expires upon employment termination. Does not require passing the State Veterinary Exam.

VETERINARY FACULTY MEMBER LICENSE: Applicant is employed by a veterinary college in Arizona. Practice limited to the licensee's official academic responsibilities. Does not require passing the State Veterinary Exam. License expires upon employment termination.

NAVLE:

To apply to take the NAVLE and for further requirements and instructions, please visit www.icva.net. Arizona does NOT qualify applicants to sit for the NAVLE; some state boards do qualify applicants to sit for the exam, but Arizona does not.  

 

Important!:  Although the review time is usually much faster, per AZ Administrative Rules, the Board has 15 days in which to inform you whether your application is complete. 

*If you need to overnight your application, we recommend using UPS or FedEx, etc. rather than USPS.  "Overnight" USPS mail gets to us a day late.

 

OPTIONAL FEE WAIVER FOR LOW INCOME APPLICANTS:   Per A.R.S. 41-1080.01, an applicant applying for an initial license whose family income does not exceed two hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines may be eligible for a fee waiver. If you believe that you qualify for the waiver, please contact the Board office at 602-542-8166 to request the Application for Waiver of Initial Licensing Fees. You MUST have the application sent to you by our Board staff and it MUST be submitted WITH your application. 

 

NOTICE:  Pursuant to Section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety or welfare concern. Pursuant to Sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with Section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes.

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Veterinary "Regular" License Application Packet491.45 KB
PDF icon Veterinary Endorsement License Application Packet421.4 KB
PDF icon Veterinary License by Universal Recognition501.71 KB
PDF icon Veterinary Specialty License Application Packet481.8 KB
PDF icon Faculty Member License Application Packet485.8 KB
PDF icon Veterinary State Employee Application Packet397.95 KB
PDF icon License Verification Request - Veterinarian - NO FEE DURING COVID STATE OF EMERGENCY156.59 KB
PDF icon Change of Address/Employment/Name99.73 KB
PDF icon Duplicate Wall License/Certificate Request Form171.5 KB

Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT)

To work as a veterinary technician in Arizona, certification is not required; earning a CVT is a voluntary action.
 
NEW PROCESS AS OF MARCH 2020:  Individuals who wish to earn certification in Arizona must first pass the VTNE before applying to the Arizona Veterinary Medical Board (unless you are applying via "Universal Recognition")!  The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) will be reviewing applicants to sit for the VTNE instead of the Board, unless you did not graduate from an AVMA-accredited 2-year veterinary technician program, have disclosed charges on your application, or have disciplinary action on your certificate/license/registration from another state.  Go to the AAVSB website at aavsb.org for details!
 
There are two pathways to certification:  regular and Universal Recognition.  Select the pathway that applies to your situation. The application packets include more detailed descriptions of the requirements.  

Next State CVT Exam:  Friday, April 30, 2021.  If you are eligible for this exam, you have been notified. This will NOT be an in-person exam due to COVID. The exam will be EMAILED to you on that date; you will have 2 weeks to complete it.  Read above for new process for approval by the AAVSB to sit for the VTNE. You must pass the VTNE BEFORE applying to our agency (unless you are applying via "Universal Recognition")!
 
The next deadline for the Board to receive a "complete" CVT application is July 27, 2021 for the August 27, 2021 exam.
 
*a "complete" application is determined by the agency and means that we have received all the required documents and that you have accurately completed the application.
 

NOTE: If you need to overnight your application, we recommend using UPS or FedEx, etc. rather than USPS.  "Overnight" USPS mail gets to us a day late.

 
Important!:  Although the review time is usually much faster, per AZ Administrative Rules, the Board has 30 days in which to inform you whether your application is complete. You may want to submit your application at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline to allow time for you to make corrections to the application or gather additional required information.  Do not wait until the deadline date to submit your application, as you risk having it deemed incomplete, causing you to miss the next scheduled exam.
 
OPTIONAL FEE WAIVER FOR LOW INCOME APPLICANTS:   Per A.R.S. 41-1080.01, an applicant applying for an initial license whose family income does not exceed two hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines may be eligible for a fee waiver. If you believe that you qualify for the waiver, please contact the Board office at 602-542-8166 to request the Application for Waiver of Initial Licensing Fees. 

AttachmentSize
PDF icon CVT Application Packet - DO NOT USE UNLESS YOU HAVE PASSED THE VTNE395.48 KB
PDF icon CVT Universal Recognition Application (for Arizona residents) during COVID-related processes355.9 KB
PDF icon CVT Address/Employment/Name Change Form187.81 KB
PDF icon CVT Certificate Verification Request (aka "letter of good standing")106.09 KB
PDF icon Duplicate Wall Certificate Request Form171.5 KB

Unlicensed Practitioners

The Board has the authority to investigate complaints and information relating to the alleged practice of veterinary medicine by an unlicensed individual.  The listing below notes individuals who the Board has verified to be unlicensed practitioners and/or who may have been impersonating a veterinary professional.  The document(s) below provide detailed information.

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Unlicensed person providing veterinary care: Mario J. Cruz - Consent Agreement & Order637.1 KB
PDF icon Mario J. Cruz - Cease & Desist Order - Practicing without a license121.14 KB
PDF icon Kara Keller - Impersonating a veterinarian966.88 KB

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Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board
1740 W Adams St
Phoenix, AZ 85007
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Phone: (602) 364-1-PET (1738)
Fax: (602) 364-1039
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