Veterinarian / Delaware
2026 data Delaware board official source

Delaware Veterinarian License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides medical care for animals. Requires DVM degree.

What the Delaware data shows for Veterinarians

Becoming a licensed veterinarian in Delaware means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 5,108 training hours, a passing score on NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Delaware regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)".

Upfront cost is $322, with renewal running $266 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For veterinarians, the reciprocity picture is: NAVLE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
28/100
Veterinarian · Delaware

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
5,108 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$322
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$133/yr
$266 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Delaware

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
5,108 hours
Exam Requirement
NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$322
Renewal Fee
$266
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Veterinarian All Delaware licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Delaware licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Veterinarian in Delaware? ▼
Delaware's requirements cover 5108 hours of education or training, the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $322. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Veterinarian in Delaware? ▼
Delaware licenses veterinarians who complete its requirements (5108 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Delaware licensing board.
Can I transfer my Veterinarian license to Delaware from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for veterinarians: NAVLE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Delaware licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Delaware require a background check for Veterinarian licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for veterinarian licensing in Delaware. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Veterinarian in Delaware? ▼
Delaware ties continued veterinarian licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $266 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this veterinarian license

Veterinarian in Delaware, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a veterinarian-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Delaware's veterinarian requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Veterinarian in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state veterinarian license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Delaware's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Delaware overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Delaware licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.