How to Guide: Veterinarian
- How To Apply
- After you Apply – What to Expect
- Disability Accommodations
- Veteran’s Preference
- Fees
- Veterinarian Licensure by Exam
- Foreign Trained Licensure by Exam
- Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement Military
- Veterinary Registered Temporary Veterinary License (VET-RT)
- Veterinarian Reinstatement
- Veterinarian Renewal
- Veterinarian Inactive Status
- How to File
How To Apply
If you would like to apply as a Veterinarian, it is required that you file with the Secretary of State and renew every two years. Review the requirements and the step-by-step guide below.
- Licensure requires completing an application and paying the required fee.
- See specific instructions for application depending on license and application type.
- You must submit all the required documentation and fees to be considered for licensure.
- Renewal is completed online and is required by December 31st of even numbered years. Late renewal period is January 1- January 31st of odd numbered years.
- You can apply for a Limited Temporary License if you are a service member, transitioning service member or military spouse and wish to practice while your Georgia license is processed.
Select your application type to view instructions on how to apply:
Veterinarian Licensure by Exam
Foreign Trained Licensure by Exam
To file online:
Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
After you Apply – What to Expect
- Processing Time – Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
- If you receive a deficiency letter, please submit all requested items at one time, as soon as possible, to prevent processing delays.
- Please Note – Incomplete applications may be withdrawn if noted deficiencies are not satisfied within 60 days of said notification. If your application is withdrawn, you will be required to restart the application process to be considered for licensure, to include submission of all required documents and fees.
- Completed applications will be initially reviewed by Board staff and may be reviewed by the Board at an upcoming Board Meeting. Applications must be complete and received at least 15 days prior to a Board Meeting to be added to that meeting’s agenda. Otherwise, the application will be reviewed at the next Board meeting.
- Check Application Status >>
- Keep Your Contact Info Up to Date
- Be sure the email address you include for yourself on your application is correct and current. Email is the primary means of communication for the Board.
- Additionally, it is important for applicants/licensees to update their email address with the Board just as they would update their physical and mailing addresses.
- Wait For It
- You may not legally perform services until you hold an active license.
Disability Accommodations
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Public Law 101-336), the Professional Licensing Boards Division provides for reasonable accommodations by designated vendors for exam candidates with disabilities that may interfere with their performance on a Licensure Examination.
Applicants may request an accommodation under the American with Disabilities Act by submitting an application and all supporting documentation to the respective Board and/or a designated vendor as instructed on this form >>
Veteran’s Preference
Veterans, military service members, transitioning service members and military spouses of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard, may be eligible for exam point credits and/or expedited application processes. See program information here >>
- If you are claiming veteran’s preference points, you must enclose a copy of your DD-214 form, showing that you served during a period of conflict or war for a minimum of 90 days. Contact the VA to request make a DD-214 Request >>
Veterinarian Licensure by Exam
If you have never been licensed before in the state of Georgia and have completed the requirements for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, apply for DVM licensure.
If you have never been licensed before in the state of Georgia and have completed the requirements for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, apply for DVM licensure.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Official Transcript
- Verification of License from all states to which you have ever held a license
- ECFVG or PAVE Certification (if applicable)
- National Exam Scores
- Species Specific Exam Score (if applicable)
- GA Law Exam Score
- Background Consent Form
- Arrests and Convictions (if applicable)
- Letter of Explanation
- Court Documents
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Certified Copy of Action/Sanctions
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline (if applicable)
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Foreign Trained Licensure by Exam
If you have never been licensed before in the state of Georgia apply for licensure by Application/Examination.
If you have never been licensed before in the state of Georgia apply for licensure by Application/Examination.
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Official Transcript
- Verification of License from all states to which you have ever held a license
- ECFVG or PAVE Certification
- National Exam Scores
- Species Specific Exam Score
- GA Law Exam Score
- Background Consent Form
- Arrests and Convictions (if applicable)
- Letter of Explanation
- Court Documents
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Certified Copy of Action/Sanctions
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline (if applicable)
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement Military
If you have never held a veterinary license in Georgia, were previously licensed as a veterinarian in another state and you are a military service member, a transitioning service member or a military spouse you will apply for licensure by endorsement.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Official Transcript
- Verification of License from all states to which you have ever held a license
- ECFVG or PAVE Certification (if applicable)
- National Exam Scores
- GA Law Exam Score
- Species Specific Exam Score (if applicable)
- Background Consent Form
- Arrests and Convictions (if applicable)
- Letter of Explanation
- Court Documents
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Certified Copy of Action/Sanctions
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline (if applicable)
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Veterinary Registered Temporary Veterinary License (VET-RT)
A one-time, non-renewable, temporary license is available to out-of-state veterinarians who hold an active veterinary license from another state and want to practice in...
A one-time, non-renewable, temporary license is available to out-of-state veterinarians who hold an active veterinary license from another state and want to practice in government or nonprofit shelter medicine, nonprofit sterilization clinics, or nonprofit mobile sterilization programs registered in Georgia. The registered temporary veterinary license is only valid for six months from the date of issuance. It is non-renewable.
The following is a checklist of documents required for this application:
- Completed application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Verification of licensure
- Proof of a Specialty/Certification (in nonprofit shelter medicine, nonprofit sterilization clinics, or nonprofit mobile sterilization programs)
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Veterinarian Reinstatement
If you currently hold a license and need to renew it to keep your license up to date, apply for licensure renewal.
This application is for licensees whose license has Lapsed or has been previously Revoked.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Verification of License from all states to which you have ever held a license
- Resume
- Proof of Continuing Education
- GA Law Exam Score
- Background Consent Form
- Arrests and Convictions (if applicable)
- Letter of Explanation
- Court Documents
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Certified Copy of Action/Sanctions
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline (if applicable)
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Veterinarian Renewal
If you currently hold a license and need to renew it to keep your license up to date, apply for licensure renewal.
If you currently hold a license and need to renew it to keep your license up to date, apply for licensure renewal.
- To process your renewal, navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Click on the License Renewal button on the right-hand side of the page. Enter your login information.
- If you do not remember your login credentials, click on the link to reset for a “person” type license.
- Follow the instructions for online renewal specific for your license.
Please note that a license will remain in “Active-Renewal Pending” status when:
- A licensee has applied for renewal before the deadline; and,
- A licensee has supplied all the required information to complete the renewal application before the deadline; and,
- It has been determined that the application requires additional review by the Board.
In accordance with O.C.G.A. §50-13-18(b), a license in this status is not considered to be lapsed, expired, inactive or invalid until the renewal application has been finally decided upon by the Board. If the license remains in that status or another active licensing status as allowed by statute or rule, the licensee may legally continue to engage in the practice of the profession.
Licensees will be notified of a change in status by email.
At the time of license renewal, licensed Veterinarians are required to notify the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine of their intention to dispense drugs if she or he desires to dispense any drugs and/or controlled substances as defined in Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 16 [O.C.G.A. §§ 26-4-130(a)(1) & (2); 26-4-130(e)].
ALL LICENSED VETERINARIANS ARE TO SUBMIT A NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISPENSE FORM TO THE BOARD IF:
- On your license renewal application, you answered YES to the question which asked if you have a current DEA License Number and intend to dispense drugs in accordance with the law cited above; or,
- You obtained a DEA License Number during the biennium (2-year renewal cycle) and intend to dispense drugs in accordance with the law cited above.
Download the Notice of Intent to Dispense form and submit it with your application renewal materials.
Veterinarian Inactive Status
If you are a veterinarian and want to place your license in an Inactive Status, you will submit this application.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents (if applicable)
- Letter of Explanation (if applicable)
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline (if applicable)
How to File
To file online:
Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
Contact
Related Resources
- Online Resource American Association of Veterinary State Boards
- Online Resource American Veterinary Medical Association
- Online Resource Georgia Veterinary Medical Association