Active Military Licensees
A licensed veterinarian on active duty must still renew his license annually and provide in each renewal period an affidavit, or other sworn document from the licensee’s commanding officer to verify on-going active duty status. All renewals must be completed through the LBVM License Portal – paper renewal applications are no longer available. A renewal for Active Military Status is considered complete only when a completed online renewal application is submitted.
How to Renew Your DVM License While on Active Duty:
1. Update Your Profile Details
You must log into LBVM License Portal and update your details under the “Profile” menu section, including:
- Personal information (contact details, etc)
- Employment history
- Education history
- Licenses held in other jurisdictions
Note: All of the details above should be kept up-to-date throughout the year, not just during the three-month renewal cycle!
2. Complete the Renewal Application
Once all of your profile details are updated, you are ready to complete the renewal application on/after July 1st as instructed below:
- log into LBVM License Portal;
- click on the “License Renewal” menu option;
- click “Start Renewal”; then,
- on the step #2, you will select the “DVM – Active Duty Military” option for your destination status type.
- follow the instructions in each of the remaining steps of the renewal application, clicking “Save & Continue” to move forward;
- on the last step, make payment and submit the renewal! The renewal amount will be automatically calculated on your invoice.
- submit Affidavit of Active Military Status to the Board office.
3. Submit Affidavit of Active Military
The LBVM’s Affidavit of Active Military must be submitted to the Board along with a copy of the licensee’s current military orders.
NOTE: An Application for Renewal is considered incomplete until the Affidavit of Active Military form and current military orders are received by the Board.
Renewal Fee Exemption
Rule §503.A provides that the board shall exempt a veterinarian licensed in the state of Louisiana from the annual license renewal fee for active status if he is a member of the armed forces and is on active duty, not to exceed three years or the duration of a national emergency, whichever is longer.
While Rule §503.A exempts a licensee on active duty from the renewal fees, the renewal will still automatically charge the fee. However, once the renewal is submitted along with the military orders, the renewal fees assessed will be refunded to the licensee.
Continuing Education Exemption
Rule §405.B provides that a licensee on active military duty is exempt from the annual continuing education requirements as long as sufficient documentation is provided to verify current active military status.
Practicing With An Expired License
The Louisiana Veterinary Practice Act provides that any person who practices veterinary medicine in Louisiana after the expiration of his license or certificate is guilty of the illegal practice of veterinary medicine, whether the failure to timely renew is willful or by neglect.
LA Revised Statute 37:1525. Section 1531 (3) of the Practice Act authorizes the Board to levy civil penalties against any person found to have practiced veterinary medicine “without the benefit of a currently valid license … “.
The practice of veterinary medicine with a currently expired license or certificate is illegal and can subject the licensee to disciplinary action far beyond the payment of the late renewal fee.