Texas Veterinary Licensing in 2 Minutes
By Texas Veterinary License, Veterinarian, Veterinarian temp permit, Veterinary licensing, Veterinary relief work

Texas Veterinary Licensing 2 minutes vet staff symbol, highway scenery pinteresTexas Veterinary Licensure Summary

You are a veterinarian licensed in another state, but you’re considering either temporary veterinary work in Texas, or a permanent move.  Texas BBQ, purple fields carpeted in Bluebonnets and the live music capital of the world sound appealing?

Read on to find out what you can expect en route to obtaining your license as a relief or full-time veterinarian in the Lone Star State:

Ease: 
Expense:    /5
Time:  /5
Temporary License Option:  Y- supervised

Temporary Texas Veterinary License:

Texas does offer a temporary license option valid for 30 days.  But…there is some expense and a fair number of hoops to jump through.  You can decide for yourself if it’s worth going the temp route, or if your efforts and finances would serve you better applying for a regular license.

First off, the Texas temp license option is not displayed on the Texas Veterinary Board’s website.  You’ll have to email the board requesting temp license information and the application (yes- I confirmed the board wants to hear from each vet applying – the forms are not available on their website).  It is also possible the requirements are revised in the near future, the other reason I was told the board needs to hear from each veterinarian interested in the temp license.

Here is a summary of the email application I received:  There is a application $200 fee and the board may take up to 10 days to issue you your license after they receive all required documents.  You’ll need to be actively licensed in another state and have accrued at least 17 hours of CE in preceding year.

Documents requested for your temp license include:

  • Certified copy of your birth certificate
  • Passport photo
  • Passing NAVLE scores via VIVA.
  • Veterinary school transcript
  • Proof of CE (minimum of 17 hours of CE in the previous year)
  • Letter of verification of license and standing from each state you are, or previously were licensed in
  • Letter confirming the start date and specific purpose of your temp license written by your supervising Texas veterinarian
  • Completed multi-page application form including information about the veterinary clinic you will be working at.
  • Starting Oct 1, 2018, fingerprint submission via and IdentoGo Center ($38.25).  IdentiGo Website here

Note also, a Texas veterinarian with a license in good-standing must generally supervise you once you obtain your temp license.  “Generally supervise” means the vet needs to be in the clinic building with you while you work.

Your temporary license will be valid for up to 30 days after it is issued.  Need more time?  You can submit a second application for another 30 days, but there is another $200 fee to apply.  Up to 2 temp licenses will be granted in one year (60 days total), and a max of 3 temp licenses in your lifetime.

Another thing to be aware of is that you can only work at one veterinary practice under each temp license- forget about doing relief work at more than one practice.

Honestly, the only real thing you’re missing between the temp and regular veterinary licence is a bit more money and an exam (see below!).

Permanent Texas Veterinary License:

Applying for your permanent Texas veterinary license will cost you $515.  (Note, this fee may be waived for military personnel or spouses of military personnel with supporting documentation).  As with the temp license, a passport photo and certified copy of your birth certificate are required.

The Texas Vet Board notes that application processing may take up to 45 days (part of this time is waiting for documentation to arrive).  After that, you will be emailed how to sign up for the Texas state exam.

In Texas, you need to sit for an exam at one of the COMIRA testing centers. COMIRA charges $67 currently for the exam. Thankfully they are given on-demand, and are located throughout the country.  This means you can take the test in the comfort of your home state!

You will be tested on study material available online, including jurisprudence, licensing rules and rules of processional conduct.  A passing score of 85% is required.  You’ll get your license 7 days after receiving a passing grade on the examination.

And if you fail?  Your application must be re-submitted, along with your $515 application fee….Ouch… Don’t fail.

In a hurry to get your permanent Texas veterinary license?  If you are currently licensed and active in another state, you can apply for a provisional Texas license while you wait to take your state board exam.  The catch is you have to pay $605 up front ($515 of this goes towards your regular Texas license application) and you have to sit for a 50 questions T/F test in Austin, held twice monthly.

The provisional Texas license exam in Austin is based on application packet material.  Your exam is graded on the spot, and if you pass, you get to walk out with your provisional license letter in hand, ready to do some vet med in Texas!

Do note, other requirements in advance of taking the Austin exam include letters of good standing from each veterinary state you have ever held a vet license, and 2 letters of recommendation from licensed veterinarians who can vouch for your skills.

Once you’ve had some time to settle in as a provisional Texas vet, you’ll proceed to take the regular Texas board exam and voila- you’ve got your permanent Texas license!

Note, 17 hours of CE yearly is required for Texas license renewal and there is a $195 fee

More Texas Veterinary Licensure Information:

Best Method of Contact: Phone: 512-305-7555, or email licensing@veterinary.texas.gov.

Texas is a member of VIVA (Veterinary Information Verifying Agency).  For more information about VIVA, see here.

Ease of contact:  

Official website: Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners  

*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 Texas’ easy veterinary licensing options?  Don’t forget to peruse which vet practice to join too!  Click here for FurWork veterinarian jobs in Texas.

Want to know about getting your veterinarian license in another state? Check here for the other state summaries we’ve completed so far!