Veterinarian / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota 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 North Dakota data shows for Veterinarians

North Dakota's path to veterinarian licensure runs through 4,216 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. North Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)".

The initial price tag is $143, and renewal costs $132 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, veterinarians should know: NAVLE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
40/100
Veterinarian · North Dakota

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
4,216 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$143
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$66/yr
$132 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
4,216 hours
Exam Requirement
NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$143
Renewal Fee
$132
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 North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Veterinarian in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota requires 4216 education/training hours, passing an exam (NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam)), and an initial fee of $143. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Veterinarian in North Dakota? ▼
Certification as a veterinarian in North Dakota means clearing the state's checklist: 4216 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The North Dakota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Veterinarian license to North Dakota 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 North Dakota. Verify the specifics with the North Dakota licensing board.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Veterinarian licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for veterinarian licensing in North Dakota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Veterinarian in North Dakota? ▼
Licensed veterinarians in North Dakota must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $132.

Related Guides

What to do with this veterinarian license

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

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

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