Veterinarian / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota 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 Minnesota data shows for Veterinarians

To practice as a veterinarian in Minnesota, the state licensing board requires 4,703 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Minnesota's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)".

Budget $241 to get started, plus $205 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
32/100
Veterinarian · Minnesota

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
4,703 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$241
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$103/yr
$205 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 Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
4,703 hours
Exam Requirement
NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$241
Renewal Fee
$205
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 Minnesota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Veterinarian in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota's requirements cover 4703 hours of education or training, the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $241. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Veterinarian in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota licenses veterinarians who complete its requirements (4703 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Minnesota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Veterinarian license to Minnesota from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for veterinarians nationally works like this: NAVLE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Minnesota. Verify the specifics with the Minnesota licensing board.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Veterinarian licensing? ▼
Yes, Minnesota requires a criminal background check as part of the veterinarian licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Veterinarian in Minnesota? ▼
Licensed veterinarians in Minnesota must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $205.

Related Guides

What to do with this veterinarian license

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

  • See how Minnesota'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 Minnesota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Minnesota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Minnesota 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.