Transfer a Veterinary License to Arizona

Verified July 2026 · 15 official sources

Priciest, plus an open-book state exam

If your national exam is older than 5 years, Arizona routes you to endorsement: $750 all-in, proof of 3 of the last 5 years in practice, and the Arizona State Exam. The exam sounds scary but it's 50 open-book true/false questions sent by email. The application itself is paper only.

First year: about $870Renewal: up to $400 / 2 yrsWait: 2 to 4 weeksWork while waiting: 30-day temp, once per lifetimeTravel required: None (exam comes by email)

What carries over to Arizona, and what does not

Comes with you

Your practice history (3 of the last 5 years)
Your old NAVLE score (verified, no retake)
Board certification, which unlocks the specialty license

New for this state

The Arizona State Exam (open book, by email)
A paper application packet
VAULT Basic score verification

Working in Arizona without a Arizona license

To advise another vet Free, but be careful: Arizona strictly limits the consulting exemption to advice. The moment you touch the patient, you're practicing without a license, and this board publishes enforcement orders.

For visits or one-time work The 30-day temporary license works once in your lifetime, and only after you've filed a full application. Board-certified specialists have a better tool: the $750 Specialty License, built exactly for recurring surgical visits.

For remote care Arizona license required. Once you have it, a 2023 law makes video vet-client relationships legal, except for food-production animals.

Your send-off checklist

YOUDownload and fill out the Endorsement Packet. Endorsement packet (PDF)

YOUAssemble practice-history proof: 3 of the last 5 years, or 6 of the last 10.

YOUMail the packet with the fee via UPS or FedEx. $750

YOUOrder VAULT Basic. Arizona doesn't accept the Premium bundle. $105 AAVSB VAULT

STATE BOARDSLicense verifications per the packet instructions. (From Pennsylvania: PALS, $15.) PALS portal

YOUWatch your email for the open-book state exam: 50 true/false questions, 75% to pass, a week or two to grade.

YOUOptional: once your application is filed, ask licensing staff about the 30-day temporary license. Once per lifetime. $75 (confirming)

Where documents go. Everything mails to: AVMEB, 1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 4600, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Use UPS or FedEx; the board warns USPS overnight arrives a day late.

The money

Endorsement (application + license + exam)	$750
Score transfer (VAULT Basic)	$105
VER
TOTAL First year, typical	~$870
Then: renewal every 2 years (amount confirming; capped at)	$400

Watch out in Arizona

Arizona defines “consulting” as advice only. Flying in to physically perform a surgery is not covered by the consulting exemption, and the board publicly posts cease-and-desist orders against out-of-state vets.
The legal routes for a visiting surgeon: the once-per-lifetime 30-day temp license, a $750 Specialty License for board-certified vets, or full licensure.
A recent national exam qualifies for the cheaper $500-600 path. An older exam costs $750.

After you are licensed

Renew by December 31 of even years, fully online.
20 CE hours per 2 years, including 3 opioid hours if you hold a DEA registration.
Telehealth needs the AZ license, but since 2023 the vet-client relationship can be established by video (except food-production animals).

Official links for Arizona

Board. Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board · Portal. paper application, by mail · Phone. 602-542-8166

Keep going

The veterinary planner, which builds a plan across several states at once.
What transfers when you move a veterinary license, covering NAVLE, VAULT and DEA.
All three professions we cover.

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