LA Veterinary Medical Board

Board Clarifies Permissible Duties for Unlicensed DVM Graduates Under Direct Supervision

The Louisiana State Board of Veterinary Medicine issued guidance clarifying that graduates holding a DVM but not yet licensed in Louisiana have the legal status of lay veterinary assistants and may not perform certain prohibited duties even under direct supervision. Prohibited duties include surgery, diagnosis, prognosis, and prescribing drugs, medicines, or appliances. The Board warns that licensed veterinarians who delegate impermissible duties may face sanctions including fines up to $1,000 and license revocation or suspension.

NAVLE Transitions to Three Testing Windows for 2025-2026

The Louisiana State Board of Veterinary Medicine announces that the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Examination) will transition to three testing windows starting with the 2025-2026 testing cycle. This change expands accessibility for candidates, enables quicker retake options for those who do not pass, and accommodates candidates with non-traditional graduation dates. Senior student candidates are limited to up to two NAVLE attempts prior to graduation.

ICVA Changes NAVLE Retake Policy, Prior Attempts Excluded

The International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) has changed the NAVLE retake policy effective December 1, 2025, granting all candidates five opportunities to take the NAVLE, with any attempts before that date excluded from the count. The Louisiana State Board of Veterinary Medicine voted at its February 5, 2026 meeting to amend Rule 303.B.7 to align state licensing rules with the new ICVA policy, with formal rulemaking to begin in April 2026. Until the proposed amendment is adopted, candidates with more than five prior NAVLE attempts remain ineligible for Louisiana DVM licensure.

Applications Only Valid for One Year

The Louisiana State Board of Veterinary Medicine has amended its licensing rules to establish a one-year validity period for all applications for licensure or certification. Applications submitted after June 20, 2025 that remain unprocessed for one year from submission will expire, requiring applicants to restart the entire process including repayment of all fees and resubmission of documentation.

New Searchable Database of LBVM-Approved Continuing Education Activity Now Available

The Louisiana State Veterinary Medical Board announced a newly designed searchable database of pre-approved continuing education activities for veterinarians. Sponsors may now attach downloadable documents such as flyers or schedules for their activities. Documentation will only be available for activities receiving pre-approval starting February 1, 2025.