Beginning with the March 2026 NAVLE testing window, all candidates have been granted five new opportunities to take the NAVLE, regardless of their prior testing history. Any test attempts made before December 1, 2025, do not count toward this new five-attempt limit. Also as of December 1, 2025, the NAVLE retake policy waiver process has
The Board has been receiving notifications of graduates allegedly practicing without a license in the state; however, the Louisiana Veterinary Practice Act clearly prohibits the “practice of veterinary medicine”, as broadly defined, by anyone other than a “licensed veterinarian or the holder of a valid temporary permit issued by the board”. La. R.S. 37:1514. The
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 application shall become expired. Once expired, the entire application
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 activity which can be viewed and downloaded by possible attendees! Please visit lsbvm.org/continuing-education/ce-opportunities/
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 deadlines, and simplifies scheduling for candidates with non-traditional graduation dates. As this is a significant
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 its discretion to decide whether to issue temporary permits and engage
DVM licenses, RVT certificates and CAET certificates issued prior to May 1st, 2024 but not fully renewed – with all Continuing Education hours completed and submitted along with all proper documentation and required fees paid in full – before September 30th at 11:59pm (central) were expired beginning on October 1st. Expired licenses can still be renewed after
The Board has received several inquiries regarding what are the allowable duties for a DVM graduate who has not yet passed the NAVLE. The Louisiana Veterinary Practice Act prohibits “the practice of veterinary medicine” in Louisiana as broadly defined in the Practice Act by anyone other than a “…licensed veterinarian or the holder of a
UPDATE (2023-12-20): The Board is happy to announce that a new online testing vendor has been secured and the LA state jurisprudence examination can now be taken either in-person OR online! If you are currently signed up to take the exam in-person in one of the upcoming testing dates in 2024 and would like to
All applications submitted prior to July 1, 2024 must still submit letters of reference to complete the application package. However, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:953 et seq., LAC 46:LXXXV. Sections 301, 801, and 1201 in Chapters 3, 8 and 12 – respectively – have been amended to remove the letters of recommendation
