Applicants Previously Licensed in another State or Canada

*If you would like to be seen in person, please email vet.med@state.mn.us to schedule an appointment with a staff member.

Applications will be deemed abandoned if all licensing requirements are not completed within one year after the application has been filed with the board.

To check the status of your application please log in to the portal at: https://vet.hlb.state.mn.us/#/login. This portal is updated daily as we receive items and as we review items that you have uploaded. Please allow time for mailed documents to arrive.

Even though you’ve passed the NAVLE, Jurisprudence Exam, received your diploma, and have a clean background check, you CANNOT practice veterinary medicine until the Board issues you a license.

The following documentation must be provided to the Board to support the application: (Documents can be sent digitally as PDF attachments to vet.med@state.mn.us) *Please do not start submitting required documents until you have submitted the online application and paid the fees.

Online Application

Online Application *Application progress can be checked by logging in to your account at https://vet.hlb.state.mn.us/#/login.

Applications will be deemed abandoned if all licensing requirements are not completed within one year after the application has been filed with the board.

Licenses and applications MUST be under your full legal name. Application and Criminal Background Check Process Flow Chart
Fees

Fees (Effective July 1, 2025) All payments must be in U.S. funds and are non-refundable.

- $75 Application Fee (NOTE: This is required and is separate from the NAVLE application fee which is paid to NBVME)
- $75 Jurisprudence Examination Fee
- $32 Criminal Background Check Fee
- $300 Initial 2-year License Fee

TOTAL: $482
Criminal Background Check

Criminal Background Check information.When you apply for licensure, the criminal background check fee ($32) must be bundled into your other licensing fees and paid at the same time. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a packet via email from the Criminal Background Check Program with in 24-48 hours. Please complete this and return the fingerprinting packet as soon as possible so that your background check can be done while you are submitting the other required items for your application. You are responsible for having your fingerprints taken promptly and for completing all required paperwork so as to not delay finalizing your license application. Previously taken fingerprints cannot be used. Some agencies charge a fee for fingerprinting services. (Please note: The report received from the BCA and FBI is only valid for a year. Applications that are not completed within a year of the CBC will be invalid and no fees refunded.) To view the Criminal Background check process, please go to https://mn.gov/boards/cbc/process/process-overview.jsp

Beginning on June 1, 2016, Minnesota law and Board policy now require that all applicants for initial licensure or license reinstatement must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check (Minn. Stat. § 214.075).
Notarized letters of reference (Affidavits)

Notarized letters of reference (Affidavits) from 2 licensed practicing doctors of veterinary medicine, who are not related to you, residing in the United States or Canadian licensing jurisdiction in which the applicant is currently practicing, attesting that they are well acquainted with the applicant, that the applicant is a person of good moral character, and has been actively engaged in practicing or teaching in such jurisdiction for the period above prescribed. The signature of the writer is what needs to be notarized. Letters of reference are considered affidavits and therefore require a notarized signature on each letter. You may search for a notary using the Minnesota Secretary of State's notary website. Please have veterinarians include in their letter an active license number and state where currently practicing (veterinarians may be practicing in a state other than Minnesota). Letters MUST be signed. Notarized letters may be sent separately from the application form via mail to 335 Randolph Avenue, Suite 215, St. Paul, MN 55102 or via email to vet.med@state.mn.us.
National Exam Score

Score reports of all previously taken national examinations in veterinary medicine, NAVLE (or NBE and CCT); certified by the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency if scores were not already sent to the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine at a past exam date.

Please email vet.med@state.mn.us with the date you took the exam if your score was sent to the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine at that time.
License Verifications for past 10 years

Certification of license in good standing from all other jurisdictions in which you hold a current license or have held a license in the past 10 years (Active, Inactive, Expired, Non-Renewal, etc.). The licensing agency should email the verification directly to the Minnesota Board at email to vet.med@state.mn.us.

*CO & OR licensees: MN Board staff will gather the license verification from the CO or OR State Board.
Military Discharge Papers (If Applicable)
Proof of Graduation

Either:

a. Proof of graduation (copy of your diploma or official transcript) conferring the DVM degree from an AVMA accredited College of Veterinary Medicine. NOTE FOR CURRENTLY GRADUATING UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENTS: The Dean will provide a list to the Board, but it is your responsibility to provide the Board with a copy of your diploma or transcripts after you have successfully completed graduation requirements. Documents can be sent via email to vet.med@state.mn.us.

b. If graduated from a non-accredited school, verification of ECFVG or PAVE completion is needed. Documents can be sent via email to vet.med@state.mn.us.
Jurisprudence Exam