Students successfully completing the University of Tennessee Professional program will be awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, granted upon receipt of their diploma. This degree bestows your title as a veterinarian. All veterinarians must be licensed by the state in which they intend to practice veterinary medicine.* Veterinary licensing requires successful completion of both the national (NAVLE) and a state license application and all required exams.
*Some careers in veterinary medicine (e.g. research scientist, educator, USDA inspector, etc.) require a veterinary degree, but not a state veterinary professional license to be qualified to work in such fields.
National Licensing Examinat​​ion
Students at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine program can take the North American Licensing Examination (NAVLE) during their 4th academic year. Because the UTCVM is fully accredited by the AVMA COE, students are eligible to take the exam within 10 months of graduation and may take the exam up to two times prior to graduation. The exam is administered by the International Council on Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) and is currently offered in three exam windows (four weeks in October/November and shorter windows in March and July/August). UTCVM students apply in the summer of their 4th year to take the exam for the first time during the fall window. The most recent cost for the exam is $760 per sitting but is subject to change.
Detailed and updated information about the NAVLE examination and application process is found at https://www.icva.net/navle/. Application for the licensing examination and application for state licensure are TWO different steps. However, the initial state application can often be completed via the ICVA (including Tennessee) in one step. State licensing board requirements can be checked here.
- If you are applying through a licensing board that involves the ICVA in processing the licensing board portion of the NAVLE approval process, your entire application can be completed online through the ICVA NAVLE application.
- If you are applying through a licensing board that does not involve the ICVA in processing the licensing board portion of the NAVLE approval process, you must contact the board directly and submit requirements for both the licensing board and ICVA.
- There is a ‘No Board’ option on the online ICVA NAVLE application if you are unsure of where you will be seeking licensure.
State of Tennessee Licensing Requirements​
The practice of veterinary medicine is controlled by a central agency in each state. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health governs the practice of veterinary medicine and issuance of state veterinary licenses. The State of Tennessee relies on the NAVLE exam as part of the licensing exam process.Â
The State of Tennessee Veterinary Application can be reviewed on the Tennessee Department of Health website.
Senior students must complete and notarized the license application and provide all available information prior to the stated deadline. The application fee required for the initial license application has been $135.00 for many years but is subject to change. Senior students will submit all available documentation as soon as possible during the final months of the senior year. The only items the Board should expect to receive at a later date are as follows: transcripts (which must be requested from UTK after the degree has been conferred), and NAVLE test scores (which will be sent directly to the Board if you applied to ICVA via the Tennessee board). The licensure application and licensure fee payment must be submitted to the Board’s administrative office in accordance with the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NBVME) deadline. Note: You will need to apply directly to the ICVA in order to take the NAVLE.
Key documents for final Tennessee licensure include: proof of citizenship, declaration of citizenship, certified transcripts, completed NAVLE scores, practitioner profile, criminal background check from an approved vendor and fingerprints. A paper example of the information required can be found here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/PH-2784.pdf
For complete information about licensure to practice in Tennessee contact:
Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Ms. Lyndsey Boone
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
615-532-5090 or 1-800-778-4123
USDA Accreditat​​ion
For a recently graduated veterinarian to be able to participate in state and federal disease control, eradication programs, and to issue health certificates as a veterinarian, they must also hold an Accreditation by the USDA.
University of Tennessee students participate in Accreditation training and orientation during Transitions Seminars in their 6th semester. Â Once the student has graduated and is fully licensed, they will complete their USDA Accreditation process through the online application registration.
For further information, contact the National Veterinary Accreditation Program coordinators or visit the USDA Accreditation website.
