Veterinarian / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Veterinarian License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides medical care for animals. Requires DVM degree.

What the Tennessee data shows for Veterinarians

Tennessee's path to veterinarian licensure runs through 4,757 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. Tennessee folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)".

Budget $251 to get started, plus $214 at each renewal 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: NAVLE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
31/100
Veterinarian · Tennessee

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
4,757 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$251
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$107/yr
$214 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
4,757 hours
Exam Requirement
NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$251
Renewal Fee
$214
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 Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Veterinarian in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee's requirements cover 4757 hours of education or training, the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $251. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Veterinarian in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee licenses veterinarians who complete its requirements (4757 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Tennessee licensing board.
Can I transfer my Veterinarian license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
For veterinarians, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: NAVLE recognized nationwide — state licensing still required. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Veterinarian licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for veterinarian licensing in Tennessee. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Veterinarian in Tennessee? ▼
To stay licensed as a veterinarian in Tennessee, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $214.

Related Guides

What to do with this veterinarian license

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

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

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