Transfer a Veterinary License to Maryland

Verified July 2026 · 16 official sources

They honor 5 years' experience

Five continuous years in practice and you skip re-examination entirely. The intimidating “$300 State Board Examination” on the fee schedule turns out to be a signed statement that you've read Maryland's laws. Fast if your exam is recent, about 2 weeks. The downside is upkeep: $300 every single year.

First year: $465-$720Renewal: $300 / yrWait: 2 weeks to 2 monthsWork while waiting: NoTravel required: None

What carries over to Maryland, and what does not

Comes with you

Your practice history (5 continuous years replaces re-testing)
Or a NAVLE score under 5 years old
Your degree

New for this state

$300 signed law attestation
Emailed good-standing letters from every past state
An annual $300 registration

Working in Maryland without a Maryland license

To advise another vet Free. Maryland's consulting exemption covers advising a Maryland-licensed vet on a case.

For visits or one-time work There is no shortcut of any kind. Maryland has no temporary or courtesy permit, so any hands-on work means the full endorsement.

For remote care Not possible. Maryland has no telehealth pathway and requires an in-person exam for the vet-client relationship.

Your send-off checklist

YOUConfirm your route: an exam under 5 years old gets the fast staff-processed track; otherwise it's the 5-years-of-practice endorsement, decided at a monthly meeting.

YOUApply on Maryland OneStop. Your e-signature covers the read-the-laws attestation. $300 Maryland OneStop application

YOUR SCHOOLYour school sends the transcript directly (mail or email).

STATE BOARDSEvery state where you've ever held a license emails a good-standing letter directly to the board. (From Pennsylvania: PALS, $15.) PALS portal

YOUIf your scores need to move: order the VAULT transfer. $105 AAVSB VAULT

YOUAfter approval, pay the registration and watch your email for the license. $150-$300

Where documents go. Transcripts: mail to 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401, or email mda.veterinaryboard@maryland.gov. Good-standing letters must arrive by EMAIL directly from the other state's office. Faxes are rejected.

The money

Application + law attestation	$300
First registration (prorated by season)	$150-$300
Score transfer (if needed)	$105
VER
TOTAL First year, typical	$465-$720
Then: renewal every year	$300

Watch out in Maryland

The board sits inside the Department of Agriculture, so you won't find it on Maryland's health licensing portals.
Good-standing letters must be emailed directly by the other state's office. Faxes are rejected outright.
CE is 18 hours per year with online capped at 9, and there is no temporary permit at all.

After you are licensed

Renew every year by June 30 ($300, with a $200 late penalty).
18 CE hours per year, at least 12 clinical. Unused hours carry forward one year.
No telehealth pathway. The vet-client relationship requires a physical exam or premises visits.

Official links for Maryland

Board. MD State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Dept. of Agriculture) · Portal. Maryland OneStop · Phone. 410-841-5796

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.

Every other jurisdiction

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