LicensedAnywhere

Transfer a Veterinary License to Alabama

Verified July 2026 · 26 official sources

'No reciprocity' on paper, workable in practice

Alabama's application announces in bold that the state doesn't reciprocate with anyone, but the reality is workable: your national exam score transfers (no retake, no age limit for US grads), the state exam is an open-book PDF emailed to you, and a $100 supervised temporary license bridges the wait. The oddest step comes after licensure: you record your license at the courthouse of every county where you practice.

First year: about $370Renewal: $200 / yrWait: gated by score report + verificationsWork while waiting: Yes, $100 supervised 90-day tempTravel required: None (emailed exam)

What carries over to Alabama, and what does not

Comes with you

  • Your NAVLE (or NBE+CCT) score via AAVSB, no age limit for US grads
  • Your degree (AVMA-accredited; ECFVG for foreign grads)
  • Possibly the 5-years-practice no-exam statute (board discretion)

New for this state

  • Alabama's open-book emailed jurisprudence exam
  • Verifications from every state, in hand BEFORE the exam is sent
  • 3 veterinarian references + 2 photos + citizenship declaration
  • County probate-office license recording after licensure

Working in Alabama without a Alabama license

To advise another vet Free under the consulting exemption: advice and demonstrating techniques to Alabama licensees. The statute warns against using it to circumvent the law; actual practice requires a license.
For visits or one-time work The $100 temporary license is the tool: 90 days, tied to a named Alabama vet whose name appears on your license, direct supervision, no independent practice. Request it through the board office; no published form exists.
For remote care Statutorily closed: serving an Alabama client or patient 'through telephonic, electronic or other means, regardless of the location of the veterinarian' is expressly the practice of veterinary medicine, requiring an Alabama license and an in-person relationship.

Your send-off checklist

YOUMail the application with two photos, the citizenship form, and your references list. $250 DVM application (PDF)
YOUOrder the AAVSB score transfer immediately; Alabama won't process anything until the score report arrives. $105 AAVSB VAULT
STATE BOARDSEvery state ever licensed sends verification directly (electronic OK where posted online; tell the board and they'll pull it). (From Pennsylvania: PALS, $15.) PALS portal
YOUOptional: request the $100 temporary license through the board office and work under your named Alabama supervisor. $100
YOUComplete the emailed open-book jurisprudence exam (70% to pass, 3 retakes).
YOUAfter licensure: record the license at your county probate office, and budget the premises permit ($150 a year plus a $200 inspection) if you'll own the practice.

Where documents go. Everything mails to Montgomery (check or money order only). Third parties direct: AAVSB (score report first; nothing moves without it), each state board (verifications), dean (education certificate).

The money

Application + examination$250
Temporary license (optional)$100
Score transfer (VAULT)$105
VER
TOTAL First year, typical~$370
Then: renewal every year$200

Watch out in Alabama

  • The application freezes until the AAVSB score report arrives, and the exam isn't emailed until every verification is in. Sequence your paperwork.
  • PAVE isn't named anywhere in Alabama's rules; PAVE-certified vets should confirm before applying (ECFVG is the named route).
  • Check or money order only, two stapled photos, and 3 veterinarian references: vintage paperwork.
  • Only 10 of the 20 annual CE hours may be online, tough for out-of-state licensees.

After you are licensed

  • Renew $200 every year by December 31 (plus $35 controlled-substance registration and a $150 premises permit if you own the practice).
  • Record your license with the county probate office where you practice, a step almost no other state has.
  • Premises permits with $200 inspections apply to any facility, and CE compliance gets audited during those inspections.

Official links for Alabama

Board. Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners · Portal. paper by mail (renewals online) · Phone. 334-395-5112

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