Florida Veterinary Licensing: 5 Minute Synopsis
Florida State Veterinarian Licensure Summary
You are a veterinarian licensed in another state, but you’re considering either temporary veterinary work in Florida state, or a permanent move? Ready make a break for the Sunshine State, swim at the beach, find your inner child at Disney World or explore the everglades?
Read on to find out what you can expect en route to obtaining your license as a relief or full-time veterinarian in Florida state:
Ease:
Expense: /5
Time: /5
Temporary License Option: N
Temporary Florida Veterinary License by Reciprocity
The state of Florida does not offer reciprocity with other states. All veterinarians wanting to practice veterinary medicine in Florida must send in their application for permanent licensure and take the Florida Veterinary Medicine Laws and Rules examination (though exam exemption for licensure by endorsement is coming October 2019)
A lone exception would for disaster relief. A non-Florida-licensed veterinarian could work for an approved disaster relief organization during a disaster relief scenario while being supervised by a Florida- licensed veterinarian.
Permanent Florida Veterinary License:
The cost of your FL vet license includes initial application fee $354.25 + state exam fee $15.75. Application processing takes 7-14 days as reported by Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), however, we’ve heard that up to 60 days is not uncommon due to delays in the DBPR receiving your vet school transcript and NAVLE scores, or misplaced paperwork at DBPR.
You’ll need to submit:
- Completed Application Form (link available here)
- Official Veterinary School transcript
- NAVLE transfer scores from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB)’s VIVA; $175 + and up to 5-7 week wait time
Does Veterinary Licensure by Endorsement Exist is Florida?
Yes. If you have held an active license in another US state for over 3 years, you have the option to apply for licensure by endorsement. You’ll pay a $605 application fee, and still take the Florida Veterinary Medicine Laws and Rules Exam, but you get to skip your NAVLE score transfer.
Why is the Florida fee for licensure by endorsement more expensive than the initial graduate license application fee?
We wondered about that too. You do get to save on your NAVLE score transfer request (see below), but other than that, there is not an advantage to applying for license by endorsement… that is until October 2019.
October 2019, the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) plans to let veterinarian licensure candidates who apply by endorsement skip their Florida Veterinary Medicine Laws and Rules Exam in exchange for a 3 hour online CE course. This would include 1 hour of CE in dispensing legend drugs and 2 hours in Florida Laws and Rules.
This super cool option to skip the examination is not yet documented on their website- so you’ll need to check back for details coming soon, or call the DBPR. Either way, we’re betting you’ll want to hold off on applying for your Florida veterinary licensed by endorsement until October 2019!
Tell me more about applying for Florida veterinary licensure by endorsement
Application processing takes 7-14 days as reported by Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), however, we’ve heard that up to 60 days is not uncommon due to delays in the DBPR receiving your vet school transcript or other state licensure verifications or misplaced paperwork at DBPR.
For a license by endorsement, the Florida Veterinary Board requires:
- Completed Application Form (link available here)
- Official Veterinary School transcript
- Veterinary Licensure verification from every state which you are currently, or have previously been licensed (~ $25 per state request).
What you can skip submitting:
- NAVLE transfer scores from AAVSB (saving you their $175 + fee and a 5-7 week wait time!)
How long will it take me to get my Florida Veterinarian License?
The timeframe to obtain your Florida Veterinary License seems to vary between 1 to up to 3 months. The main snags veterinarian candidates run into is delayed licensure verification from each state they have previously practiced in, or misplaced paperwork by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). Some currently licensed veterinarian Floridians recommend that you follow up with the DBPR at least 1-2 times a week to ensure your application documentation is being processed properly.
What type of examination do I need to take to get my veterinary license in Florida?
Once all of your Florida State Licensing documentation has been received, you may schedule your Florida Veterinary Medicine Laws and Rules Exam. The FL state exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions based solely on reading material provided about Laws and Rules in Florida State.
Again, if you plan to apply for Florida veterinary licensure by endorsement, after October 2019, you should be able to skip this exam in exchange for 3 hours of online CE. Yay!
Where can I find the Florida Veterinary Medicine Laws and Rules Exam study material?
The Laws and Rules Exam study material can be found here. Note that there is nearly 300 pages of study material to review- definitely something you don’t want to leave until the last minute!
How to I schedule my Florida Veterinary Medicine Laws and Rules Exam?
Once all of your Florida State Licensing documentation has been received, you’ll need to take the Laws and Rules exam at a Pearson VUE test center, with one or more locations in each state, and some locations in Canadian provinces too. Exam registration is recommended at least 5 days prior to your desired examination date. See Pearson VUE test center locations here.
You will be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Florida 48 hours after you receive a 70% a.k.a. a passing score on your examination. You could start work under veterinarian supervision for the 48 hours you are waiting on your exam score- if you are that pressed to get started! But if you fail the exam, you are no longer allowed to work under supervision.
What if I fail the Florida Veterinary Medicine Laws and Rules Examination?
Not to worry. You can schedule an examination retake as many times as needed to pass. You’ll just pay the $15.75 exam scheduling fee each time. You have plenty of time to pass too- 2 years from the date your Florida Veterinary License application was approved.
What are the Florida State veterinary license CE and Fee Renewal Requirements?
Your Florida state veterinarian license must be renewed by May 31st every even year for $265. 30 hours of CE including 1 hour in dispensing legend drugs and 2 hours in Florida Laws and Rules are required biannually for maintenance.
Your first license renewal, if less than 2 years from original Florida licensing, will have a reduced CE requirement. Contact the Department of Business & Professional Regulation for your specific CE requirement for your first renewal cycle.
What is the method to contact the Florida State Veterinary Board?
If you are needing help with your Veterinary License Application, or to check on its’ status, you’ll need to contact the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)’s Customer Contact Center. Phone : (850) 487-1395.
Note that you will be dealing with a general call center for questions, but at least you’ll be speaking to a real person at DBPR, and they can refer you to someone more knowledgeable if you ask a question they cannot answer.
Ease of contact:
Official website: Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
*We’re diligent about keeping this article current but veterinary licensing rules and regulations change with time! Always double-check with the board, and kindly alert us of any discrepancies!
Thinking you might take advantage of Florida’s veterinary licensing options? Don’t forget to peruse which vet practice to join too! Click here for FurWork veterinarian jobs in Florida
Want to know about getting your veterinarian license in another state? Check here for the other state summaries we’ve completed so far!