Veterinarian / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Veterinarian License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides medical care for animals. Requires DVM degree.

What the Washington data shows for Veterinarians

Becoming a licensed veterinarian in Washington means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 5,622 training hours, a passing score on NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Washington regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)".

Budget $424 to get started, plus $343 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
26/100
Veterinarian · Washington

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
5,622 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$424
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$172/yr
$343 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 Washington

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
5,622 hours
Exam Requirement
NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$424
Renewal Fee
$343
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 Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Veterinarian in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover 5622 hours of education or training, the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $424. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Veterinarian in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed veterinarian in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements including 5622 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Veterinarian license to Washington 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 Washington licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Washington require a background check for Veterinarian licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the veterinarian licensing process in Washington. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Veterinarian in Washington? ▼
Washington ties continued veterinarian licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $343 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this veterinarian license

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

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

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