LBVM Mission
The LBVM was originally created within the Department of Health and Hospitals to promote the public health, safety and welfare by safeguarding the peoples of the state of Louisiana from incompetent and dishonest practices of veterinary medicine; to encourage more effective utilization of the skills of licensed veterinarians for the health and welfare of animal patients in the delegating of certain veterinary health care tasks to qualified Registered Veterinary Technicians; and to provide the most humane restraint, capture and death possible for unwanted, diseased, dangerous, and discarded animals with the training of Certified Animal Euthanasia Technicians for animal control. The right to practice veterinary medicine is a privilege as set forth by the Legislature and enforced by the Board.
Effective August 1, 2018, the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine was moved to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
LA Veterinary Practice Act & Rulemaking
The Louisiana Veterinary Practice Act, the Board Rules, and complimentary legal authority are provided below; however, they are continuously under review and potentially subject to adoption, amendment or repeal at any time based on circumstances presented. It would be prudent to follow the appropriate procedure when submitting queries, when applicable, by reviewing Rule 1423 regarding Declaratory Statements.
Current rulemaking activity as it relates to the LA Veterinary Practice Act can be found at www.lsbvm.org/rulemaking.
LA Veterinary Practice Act, Rules & Standards, Complimentary Laws, & Code of Ethics
Recent Board News
Applications Only Valid for One Year
All applications for licensure or certification submitted after June 20, 2025 will be valid for no more than one (1) year from the initial date of submission. If a license or certificate has not been issued within one year from the initial date of submission, the...
New Searchable Database of LBVM-Approved Continuing Education Activity Now Available
The Board is excited to announce a newly designed, dynamic, Searchable Database of Continuing Education Activity pre-approved by the LBVM. We have also added a new feature which allows sponsors to include a document (i.e.– a flyer or itinerary/schedule, etc) for the...
NAVLE Transitions to Three Testing Windows
Starting with the 2025-2026 testing cycle, the NAVLE will transition to three testing windows. This change provides greater accessibility for the increasing number of candidates, allows for quicker turnaround times for those who do not pass or who miss application...
Temporary Licenses Are Not Issued
The Louisiana Veterinary Practice Act forbids the “practice of veterinary medicine” in Louisiana by anyone who “is not a licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued by the board”. La. R.S. 37:1514. The Practice Act allows the board to use...