Veterinarians in Georgia are licensed by the Professional Licensing Board at the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. The application process can be daunting, so the GVMA has created this easy step-by-step list for your convenience.
Step 1: Go to the veterinary licensing board website – https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-board-veterinary-medicine
Step 2: Under “Select your application type to view instructions on how to apply:”, Click on “DVM Licensure by Exam” and then on “Download application>>”
Step 3: Print the license application and complete the form
Step 4: Get the application notarized (all applications must be notarized)
Step 5: Obtain the following items to mail with your notarized application:
- $110 APPLICATION FEE (non-refundable) – it is best to send a check or money order made out to the Georgia Secretary of State Professional Licensing Board.
- VERIFICATION OF VETERINARY COLLEGE EDUCATION – this form must be completed by the Academic Affairs Department of the university from which you graduated. An applicant will be considered
for eligibility to sit for the exam up to 8 months prior to graduation from an accredited school.- FOREIGN GRADUATES must submit verification of enrollment in PAVE or enrollment in the ECFVG, including proof of completion of step 2-English proficiency, and Step 3-passing the BCSE, to be eligible to sit for the NAVLE exam.
- NATIONAL BOARD SCORES – If you have previously taken the NAVLE, NBE &/or CCT, you must have the scores transferred to the Georgia Board by contacting AAVSB at http://www.aavsb.org/VIVA.
- For an application for the Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) contact ICVA at (701) 224-0332 or https://www.icva.net/. Applications & fee for the exam must be submitted directly to ICVA.
- If you have previously taken the CCT and the NBE and been unsuccessful in passing any section of these exams – you are now required to sit for the NAVLE.
- GEORGIA LAW EXAM: You must take and submit a completed Law Exam with a passing score. The exam can be downloaded from the licensing board website at https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-veterinarian, and clicking the “DVM Licensure by Exam” option. Follow the instructions.
- PLEASE NOTE: all the answers to the test questions can be found online, and all the answers must be correct or your application will be returned to you, increasing your application time.
- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT – sent directly from the school, showing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree and date awarded. For University of Georgia transcripts visit https://reg.uga.edu/students/transcripts/
- VERIFICATION OF LICENSURE – from any state in which you have EVER held a license, if applicable. This verification must be sent from the State Board directly to the Georgia board office. A copy of your license from that state will not be accepted.
- SECURE AND VERIFIABLE DOCUMENT – the following are acceptable forms:
- A United States passport or passport card.
- A United States military identification card.
- A driver’s license or identification card issued by one of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the United States Virgin Island, American Samoa, or the Swain Islands.
- A tribal identification card of a federally recognized Native American tribe.
- A United States Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card.
- An Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph of the bearer.
- A passport issued by a foreign government.
- Visit the veterinary licensing board for other forms of secure and verifiable documentation.
Step 6: Place all documents in a 9 x 12 envelope with pages unstapled and unfolded. Mail the application to:
Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
Other Important Information
- Keep the application checklist for your records, recording the date information was submitted.
- Keep a copy of your application.
- If any item is missing, incomplete or incorrect, your application cannot be reviewed by the Board.
- You will be notified of your completed application via email. You will not receive a paper veterinary license.
- The application process may take up to 25 days. An application is not deemed as complete until all documentation has been received, reviewed and processed.
- If you have not received notification from the Secretary of State’s Office that you are licensed you may not practice veterinary medicine. If you begin employment after graduation from veterinary school but before obtaining approval of your licensure, you are considered an unlicensed professional and can only work as a Veterinary Assistant. Visit the GVMA website at www.GVMA.net and look for the Scope of Practice – Veterinary Assistants for the limitations.
Questions?
Visit the GA State board of Veterinary Medicines How to Guide on Applying for Licensure or call them at 1 (844) 753-7825.
The GVMA is a great resource for many questions pertaining to veterinary medicine. Email us at gvma@gvma.net or call 678-309-9800. Welcome to the Georgia veterinary community!
