Transfer a Veterinary License to Arkansas

Verified July 2026 · 28 official sources

Reciprocity with an INSTANT temporary permit

Arkansas quietly built the most generous bridge in the country: file the reciprocity application with proof of your active license and a temporary permit issues IMMEDIATELY, no waiting for a board meeting. Reciprocity itself skips the state exam entirely, has no practice-hours minimum and no exam-recency limit, and there are no fingerprints. The trade: any past suspension or probation anywhere disqualifies, and everyone renews March 31 for $100.

First year: about $270Renewal: $100 / yrWait: temp permit immediate; full license as documents landWork while waiting: Yes, instantly ($50 temp)Travel required: None

What carries over to Arkansas, and what does not

Comes with you

Your license in good standing (never suspended, probated, or revoked)
Your NAVLE or NBE/CCT, no recency limit
Your degree (AVMA, or ECFVG/PAVE expressly accepted)

New for this state

Notarized recommendation letter from a vet who knows you + notarized affidavit
Primary-source verifications from every state ever
A 6-month photo + SSN; endorsement adds a letter arguing why you skip the exam

Working in Arkansas without a Arkansas license

To advise another vet Free: statute exempts a vet licensed in any other jurisdiction consulting with an Arkansas-licensed vet, with no spelled-out limits. Keep the Arkansas vet in charge of the case.

For visits or one-time work The best in the nation: file the reciprocity application and a $50 temporary permit issues IMMEDIATELY, letting you work while the paperwork completes. No relief permit needed because the bridge is that fast.

For remote care Arkansas license required. The relationship needs an in-person start, with one new exception: emergency telemedicine is allowed if you establish the relationship in person within 7 days for small animals or 21 for large.

Your send-off checklist

YOUComplete the application with the notarized affidavit, the notarized vet recommendation letter, and a 6-month photo, then upload and pay in the portal. $100 Portal (apply + pay)

YOURequest the $50 temporary permit with your filing; it issues IMMEDIATELY on receipt of the application, fee, and proof of your active license. $50

STATE BOARDSEvery US jurisdiction you've ever held sends primary-source verification. (From Pennsylvania: PALS, $15.) PALS portal

YOUR SCHOOLYour school sends the certified final transcript; include a diploma copy.

YOUOrder the AAVSB score transfer. $105 AAVSB VAULT

YOUEndorsement route? Add the letter explaining why you should skip the written exam; decisions come at the next quarterly board meeting while your temp permit keeps you working.

Where documents go. Apply through the Veterinary Licensing Portal (upload + pay online). Third parties direct: state boards (mail or email accepted), AAVSB (scores), school (certified transcript). Paper filings: 1 Natural Resources Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205.

The money

Application (reciprocity)	$100
Temporary permit (instant)	$50
Score transfer (VAULT)	$105
VER
TOTAL First year, typical	~$270
Then: renewal every year	$100

Watch out in Arkansas

Any suspension, probation, or bad-faith revocation anywhere disqualifies reciprocity, and disciplinary history triggers a discretionary oral exam on the endorsement route.
Arkansas's famous automatic-licensure-for-new-residents law EXCLUDES veterinarians; the board's own reciprocity rule is your path.
Everyone renews March 31 regardless of issue date, and the $100 late fee has 'NO EXCEPTIONS' printed on it.
Old-school documents: a notarized recommendation letter from a vet who knows you, a notarized affidavit, a 6-month photo, and your SSN.

After you are licensed

Renew $100 every March 31. CE is 20 hours a year with at least 10 in person or live-interactive; RACE counts.
New in 2025: emergency telemedicine without a prior relationship is allowed if you establish one in person within 7 days (small animal) or 21 (large).
Incorporated practices register a Certificate of Corporate Practice ($35, then $10 a year); the board polices non-vet ownership.

Official links for Arkansas

Board. Arkansas Board of Animal Health (Dept. of Agriculture) · Portal. Veterinary Licensing Portal · Phone. (501) 224-2836

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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