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Veterinary Practitioner Registration

Overseas Applicants

United Kingdom Applicants

All documents required of Australian and New Zealand (NZ) graduates are required of United Kingdom (UK) graduates. Go to Full Registration

Irish Applicants

Veterinary practitioners from the National University of Ireland who do not meet the below criteria are required to sit the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) organised by the Australian Veterinary Boards Council, Inc (AVBC).

Veterinary practitioners from the National University of Ireland may be registered in NSW without further examination if they:

  • Have been registered in the United Kingdom (UK) by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), by examination only. Proof that they have passed the RCVS examination is required.
  • Have been registered in New Zealand (NZ) prior to April 2001. Anyone having registered in NZ after this date is not exempt from further examination.
  • Have been registered in another Australian State or Territory.
  • Have graduated in 2004, or after 2004.

Irish Thoroughbred Breeding Specialists

Irish veterinary practitioners who have specific knowledge, skill and experience in thoroughbred breeding practises may apply for limited registration for the Australian Thoroughbred Breeding Season. Direct supervision may not be a condition to registration. However, such applicants are required to provide references and other documentation illustrating their specific skills. Limited application forms are to be accompanied by a letter from the superintendent at the practice where they intend to work. This should state the nature of the work the applicant will be involved in.

South African Applicants

Graduates of the University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort) are no longer required to sit for the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) and may be registered in NSW without further examination.

North American Applicants

The following veterinary qualifications have been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The Board recognises these qualifications by agreement with the Australian Veterinary Boards Council, Inc (AVBC).

Acceptable Universities :

  • Auburn University
  • Colorado State University
  • Cornel University
  • Iowa State University
  • Kansas State University
  • Louisiana State University
  • Michigan State University
  • Mississippi State University
  • North Carolina State University
  • Oklahoma State University
  • Oregon State University
  • Purdue University
  • State University of Utrecht
  • Texas A & M University
  • The Ohio State University
  • The University of Missouri
  • Tufts University
  • Tuskegee University
  • Université de Montréal
  • University of California
  • University of Florida
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Guelph
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Prince Edward Island
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • University of Tennessee
  • University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • Virginia Tech and University of Maryland
  • Washington State University
  • Western University of Health Sciences

Graduates of the above universities must have successfully completed the AVMA National Board and Clinical Competency Test Examinations/North American Veterinary Licencing Exam or have fulfilled the requirements of the National Examining Board of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. They must also have the right to practise in the United States (US) or Canada.

Evidence of successfully passing these examinations must be attached to the application. Such applicants are also required to provide evidence that they are currently registered in the US or Canada.

Examination Process of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)

The AVBC Inc. has recognised the Examination Process of the ECFVG as an acceptable assessment of minimum standards for entry into the profession in Australia and New Zealand (NZ). The NSW Board will register veterinary practitioners who have passed this assessment and who are able to demonstrate satisfactory competency in the English language and are able to fulfil other registration criteria. Applicants are advised to contact the Registrar prior to submitting an application for registration.

All Other Countries

Applicants from all other countries must sit for the National Veterinary Examination (NVE). An exception is made if an applicant is registered with/passed the:

  • Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) by examination or
  • American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) by examination or
  • National Board and Clinical Competency Test Examinations/ North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) or
  • National Examining Board or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

You must also have the right to practise in either the United States or Canada. Evidence of successfully passing the exams must be attached to your application. You must also provide evidence that you are currently registered in either the United States or Canada.

National Veterinary Examination

The National Veterinary Examination (NVE) is organised by the AVBC and the AVBC should be contacted for further details. The NVE has 3 components:

1. English language test (if applicable)
2. NVE Preliminary Examination (Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) - written)
3. NVE Final Examination (clinical)

Having passed the MCQ section, candidates resident in NSW may apply for limited registration which will allow them to gain experience whilst studying for the clinical exam.

Limited application forms should be accompanied by a letter from the candidate stating the reason for the application and the time frame that limited registration is required for. A letter from a registered veterinary practitioner agreeing to directly supervise the applicant and take full responsibility for their actions is also required. Once the NVE has been passed, full registration may then be applied for.

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Types of Registration and other useful information

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Who can be a Signatory?

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