Application for DVM Licensure – Student or New Graduate
Are You a Current LA DVM Licensee?
If you already possess an active or expired DVM license in Louisiana and are trying to access or renew your license, you must log into the LBVM License Portal, NOT the LBVM Application Portal.
DVM Qualifications:
In order to qualify for DVM licensure in Louisiana, one must:
- be at least twenty-one years of age;
- have successfully completed either:
(1) a doctor of veterinary medicine program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) OR
(2) a doctor of veterinary medicine program not accredited by the AVMA and the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) program. - certify that s/he has not practiced veterinary medicine in this state without a license, temporary permit, or exception from licensure as provided by R.S. 37:1514;
- certify that s/he has never had a license to practice veterinary medicine revoked, suspended or denied in any state, territory, or district of the United States;
- certify that s/he has has not been arrested or indicted for or been convicted, pled guilty, or pled nolo contendere to either a felony or misdemeanor, other than minor traffic violations;
- certify that s/he has not been convicted, pled guilty, or pled nolo contendere to either a felony or misdemeanor other than minor traffic violations;
- have submitted all supplemental documentation and fees as required by the Board;
- have successfully passed the state board (jurisprudence) exam; and,
- have successfully passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) within five years from the application submission date.
* If scores are older than five years then an applicant must retake the exam; however, the NAVLE retake requirement may be waived if specific waiver criteria are met.
Step 1. Create Your LBVM Account
If you have not used the LBVM Application Portal before, you must register and select an email address to serve as your portal credential. This email will be used to access both the Application Portal and the License Portal once your certificate is issued. You are strongly advised to use a permanent email address rather than one associated with a school, employer, or other temporary account.
You can only register with ONE email address – Do NOT create multiple accounts!
- After clicking “Register for an LBVM Account” below, you will enter your email address then click “Next”. A temporary password will be emailed to you.
- Enter the temporary password into the LBVM Applicant Portal.
- Enter your first name, last name, and birthday.
- Create your new account password.
- Select and set up your desired security method.
Application In-Progress or Submitted?
If you have already created an online account and started the online application for RVT Certification, click below to go to the LBVM Application Portal. Through the portal you can complete and submit your application and supplemental documentation and check on the status of your documents. Applicants are encouraged to frequently log into the LBVM Application Portal for application updates.
Having Trouble Logging In? Click here to reset your password.
Are You Locked Out? After three failed login attempts, you will be locked out of Application Portal. If so, you must email the Board at admin@lsbvm.org for further assistance.
Step 2. Complete an Application
After logging into the LBVM Application Portal, click “Start New Application” on the welcome page. Then scroll down and click “Apply” for the DVM – Student application under “Doctor of Veterinary Medicine”.
Read the instructions carefully. You can stop at any step and return later to finish the application. Follow the prompts and instructions for each section of the application below, clicking “Save & Continue” after each one.
NOTE: ALL previous NAVLE scores – including ALL scores prior to Dec. ’25 – must be reported on your application for licensure!
Application Sections to be Completed:
- Personal Information
- License Information
- Education Information
- NAVLE Attempts
- Employment Information
- Supporting Documentation
- Declarations
- Attestations
- Fee Payment
Note: To expedite processing, skip the Supporting Documents step and submit the application with payment. Supporting documents may be uploaded later. (See step 4 below.)
Step 3. Make Payment of Fees
After completing the attestation(s), the final step is paying all required fees. You can pay by 1) credit/debit card or 2) mailed check.
Service Fees: A 2.8% service fee applies to credit/debit card payments (charged by Elavon). Check payments have no service fee.
Your application will remain incomplete until full payment and all supplemental documents are received. Paying by physical check will delay completion.
Application Fees, DVM – $560-570 Total
- Non-Refundable App Fee: $100
- Original Certification Fee: $250
- State Board Exam Fee: $200
- Score Transfer Fee: $10 or $20
(NAVLE transfer fee is $10 & NBE/CCT transfer fee is $20)
Score transfer fee is only paid if score is being transferred from another state
A $50 testing fee must be paid to the third-party testing vendor if the online state board exam option is selected.
Step 4. Submit All Required Documentation
The application and payment should be submitted first. After the Board office completes its initial review, the checklist in the “Documents” section of the LBVM Application Portal will be updated at which time all supplemental documentation may then be uploaded through the portal or emailed to the Board office. Documents cannot be tracked if received before the application is submitted.
The following documents must be submitted to complete the online application:
- Photograph – A current passport-type photograph (head & shoulders).
- Diploma OR Transcript – A copy of your diploma OR the final, official DVM transcript must be submitted. If an unofficial transcript is uploaded into the portal, you are still required to submit an official transcript to the LBVM directly from your institution; therefore, uploaded a copy of your diploma will expedite the application process.
- NAVLE Exam Score(s) – Once the NAVLE is completed, you must request your official scores from AAVSB to be sent directly to the Board Office. Approval to take the NAVLE requires a separate application directly to ICVA, independent of your LBVM licensure application. The application details and deadlines can be found on the ICVA website.
How Many Times Can I Take the NAVLE?
Changes to ICVA’s NAVLE Retake Policy – Beginning with the March 2026 NAVLE testing window, ICVA has granted all candidates 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.
What Does This Mean for DVM Licensure in Louisiana? Board Rules still currently state that an applicant may only sit for the NAVLE a maximum of five times. Thereafter, the applicant will no longer be eligible for licensure in Louisiana and any applications submitted will be rejected.” However, at its February 5th, 2026 meeting, the Board voted to amend its rules to align the rule with ICVA’s revised policy. While the rulemaking process has started in April ’26, this proposed amendment will not go into effect into its final promulgation which can take up to 8-9 months.
Step 5. Take the State Jurisprudence Exam
All DVM applicants must successfully pass the state jurisprudence exam prior to a DVM license being issued. The 30-minute examination consists of twenty-six (26) questions designed to test an applicant’s familiarity with the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Louisiana.
A passing score of 70% or more on the exam is required for licensure. Applicants can take the state board exam either:
- in-person at the LBVM office; or,
- online through the AAVSB’s State and Provincial Assessments (SPA) program.
Currently enrolled DVM students are eligible to take the state jurisprudence exam once they are within 60 days from their date of graduation.
The state board exam is independent from the NAVLE and can be taken either before or after the NAVLE is completed.
Prepare for the Exam
Download and review the Exam Study Guide, the LA Veterinary Practice Act, the Louisiana Administrative Code, and the complimentary statutes below.
Sign Up for State Board Exam
If you are a current DVM student within 60 days from the date of your anticipated graduation, you must submit the Anticipated Date of Graduation Form.
NOTE: LSU SVM students do NOT need to submit the Anticipated Date of Graduation Form since a list of all eligible graduates is submitted to the Board from the LSU SVM.
If you are a recent DVM graduate, the Board must receive at minimum your submitted application and payment of fees as well as a copy of your DVM diploma OR official transcript.
Complete the short online sign-up form below to indicate whether you would like to take the exam online or in-person..
Step 6. Frequently Check Your Application Status
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details. Check your status regularly in the LBVM Application Portal. If any item shows “Waiting for Upload” or “Not Received,” submit it by following the instructions in the Documents section checklist of the portal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For How Long is an Application Valid?
In accordance with LAC 46LXXXV.301.F, an application is valid for one year from the submission date. If all requirements are not met and a license is not issued within that time, the application expires and the process – including all fees and required documents – must be completed again.
How Many Times Can I Take the NAVLE?
Changes to ICVA’s NAVLE Retake Policy – Beginning with the March 2026 NAVLE testing window, ICVA is granting all candidates 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 been ended. Waivers are no longer being granted, ensuring a consistent and equitable policy for all candidates.
What Does This Mean for DVM Licensure in Louisiana? Board Rule 303.B.7 still currently states the following: “An applicant for licensure may only sit for the national examination a maximum of five times. Thereafter, the applicant will no longer be eligible for licensure in Louisiana and any applications submitted will be rejected.”
At its February 5th, 2026 meeting, the Board voted to amend Rule 303.B.7 to align the rule with ICVA’s revised policy. While the rulemaking process will start in April ’26, this proposed amendment will not go into effect into its final promulgation which can take up to 8-9 months – assuming there are no objections from the Senate and House Oversight Committees and/or the Governor’s Office. If adopted, the amended rule would continue to limit candidates to no more than five attempts to take the NAVLE; however, any attempts made prior to December 1, 2025, would not be applied toward this five-attempt maximum.
Therefore, DVM graduates who have made more than five attempts at the NAVLE still remain ineligible for licensure, even if the exam is retaken and passed after December 1, 2025. This eligibility will only go into effect if and when the final rule is approved and promulgated.
Need Testing Accommodations?
If you are would like to request testing accommodations, please complete the LBVM Request for Accommodations Form and submit it to the LBVM Office directly either via email to director@lsbvm.org or via postal services to the address below.
ATTN: Executive Director | LA Board of Veterinary Medicine | 5825 Florida Blvd | Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Criminal Conviction Considerations
Statute §1518 of the LA Veterinary Practice Act establishes that the Board shall have the power to examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Louisiana. In so doing, criminal convictions of an applicant may be used for a basis for denial. In accordance with LA Revised Statute 37:2950, if the conviction directly relates to the practice of veterinary medicine, the Board shall consider all of the following: a) the nature and seriousness of the offense; b) the nature of the specific duties and responsibilities for which the license, permit, or certificate is required; c) the amount of time that has passed since the conviction; d) facts relevant to the circumstances of the offense, including any aggravating or mitigating circumstances or social conditions surrounding the commission of the offense; and e) evidence of rehabilitation or treatment undertaken by the person since the conviction.
In accordance with LA Revised Statute 37:33, an applicant – or a potential applicant – who has a criminal conviction can apply for a statement from the Board for disqualifying status at any time. This request could be made even prior to applying to a veterinary program or veterinary technology program or before applying for the Board’s CAET training course.