Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become a Veterinarian in Alberta

Last checked 4 sources checkedNOC 31103

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association to work as a veterinarian in Alberta or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
veterinarian, veterinary surgeon, DVM
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Veterinary Profession Act [pdf] and Veterinary Profession General Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) is mandatory. Only registered members may practice as veterinarians or use the titles veterinarian or veterinary surgeon or the abbreviation DVM.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinarian, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $52.50 (Annual)

  1. Graduate from a doctor of veterinary medicine program accredited by the CVMA or AVMA.

    Source
    “A doctor of veterinary medicine program accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or American Veterinary Medical Association”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinarian

  2. Register with the CVMA National Examining Board as required for licensure applicants.

    Source
    “Applicants for licensure with the ABVMA must be registered with the CVMA National Examining Board (NEB).”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  3. Pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination within 5 attempts to receive a Certificate of Qualification from the NEB.

    Source
    “A graduate of a CVMA / AVMA COE *accredited* veterinary school is required to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) within 5 attempts in order to receive a Certificate of Qualification from the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB).”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  4. Submit an application to the ABVMA including a notarized photocopy of the NAVLE examination results.

    Source
    “A notarized photocopy of your NAVLE examination results must be submitted with the application to the ABVMA. Notarized documents must be mailed or couriered, and cannot be faxed or emailed.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ABVMA

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 6 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $52.50 (Annual)

  1. Prepare a scanned copy of a valid Canadian Passport, Canadian Birth certificate, or Canadian Social Insurance Number, or a work visa or permanent resident visa if these are not available.

    Source
    “a valid Canadian Passport or Canadian Birth certificate or Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN). If the applicant doesn’t have these documents then a work visa or permanent resident visa is required.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

  2. Collect a notarized photocopy of the Certificate of Qualification, any board or specialty certifications, a notarized recent colour photograph, a police information check if applicable, and a scanned copy of the Police Information Check certificate if applicable.

    Source
    “notarized photocopy of the Certificate of Qualification - notarized copy of Board or Specialty Certifications(s) (if applicable) - notarized recent colour photograph - police information check (if applicable)”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

  3. Arrange for a letter of good standing from each jurisdiction where you have been registered to practice veterinary medicine to be sent directly to the ABVMA.

    Source
    “A letter of good standing from each jurisdiction where you have been or are registered to practice veterinary medicine. These must be mailed/emailed directly from the jurisdiction to the ABVMA.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

  4. Provide the names and contact information of three character references.

    Source
    “Names and contact information of 3 character references.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

  5. Complete the online Labour Mobility application and pay the application fee online at the end of the application process.

    Source
    “At the end of the online application process, you will be asked to pay the application fee. Online payment of the application fee is required.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

  6. Mail or courier the required documents with a signed cover sheet to the ABVMA office.

    Source
    “Mail by regular mail or courier with signed cover sheet. The cover sheet will be sent to the applicant once online application is submitted.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ABVMA

6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 8 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $52.50 (Annual)

  1. Contact the National Examining Board directly to inquire about the requirements for enrollment in the exam sequence.

    Source
    “Applicants must contact the NEB directly to inquire about the necessary requirements for enrollment in the exam sequence.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  2. Pass the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination to become eligible to apply for the NAVLE, PSA and CPE.

    Source
    “Graduates of a non-accredited veterinary school must first pass the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) to be eligible to apply for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), the Pre Surgical Assessment (PSA) and the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE).”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  3. After enrolling with the NEB and passing the BCSE, apply for Temporary Registered Veterinarian registration, which allows practice under the immediate supervision of an unrestricted veterinarian.

    Source
    “Upon enrolling with NEB, and passing the BCSE, applicants may be eligible to apply for Temporary Registered Veterinarian registration that entitles the veterinarian to practice under the immediate supervision of an unrestricted veterinarian.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  4. Successfully complete the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.

    Source
    “Upon successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE), the applicant is eligible to apply for licensure as a Temporary Registered Veterinarian under direct supervision.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  5. After passing the BCSE, NAVLE and PSA and being accepted as a CPE candidate, practice under direct supervision as a Temporary Registered Veterinarian.

    Source
    “A graduate veterinarian who has successfully completed the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE), North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and Preliminary Surgical Assessment (PSA) examination, and has been accepted by the National Examining Board (NEB) as a candidate to sit the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) to obtain a Certificate of Qualification (CQ) may qualify for Temporary Registered Veterinarian registration.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  6. Successfully complete the Clinical Proficiency Examination, which consists of seven sections and can be completed in Canada or the U.S.

    Source
    “The Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) consists of seven sections and can be completed in Canada or the U.S.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  7. Receive a Certificate of Qualification after successfully completing the series of NEB examinations.

    Source
    “Candidates who successfully complete the series of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association National Examining Board (NEB) examinations are granted a Certificate of Qualification (CQ).”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

  8. Apply to the ABVMA for registration as a General Practice Registered Veterinarian once the Certificate of Qualification is obtained.

    Source
    “General Practice Registered Veterinarian: Allows the member to engage in the full scope of veterinary practice. Must possess a Certificate of Qualification (CQ) from the CVMA.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/member

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with ABVMA

8 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must provide that they have the academic credentials in the licensee category for which they are applying.

    Source
    “3. Provide that they have the academic credentials in the licensee category for which applying.”
    abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

  • To register as a veterinarian in Alberta, you need to have successfully completed a doctor of veterinary medicine program accredited by the CVMA or AVMA and the NAVLE.

    Source
    “To register as a veterinarian in Alberta, you need to have successfully completed: - A doctor of veterinary medicine program accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) or American Veterinary Medical Association - The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinarian

Police check

Good character

Residency

Other

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages state that a veterinarian in good standing with a General Practice License from another Canadian province or territory can apply for General or Time Limited licenses under Labour Mobility agreements, but do not state whether the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment is waived.

Source
“This application is for a candidate who is a veterinarian in good standing with a veterinary professional regulatory organization in another province or territory of Canada, with a General Practice License. These applicants can apply for General or Time Limited licenses.”
abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with ABVMA

Supervised practice

Required

A Temporary Registered Veterinarian is required to practice under the immediate supervision of an unrestricted registered veterinarian, with other levels of supervision possible based on progress in the NEB exam sequence.

Source
“A veterinarian registered under this category of registration is required to practice under the immediate supervision of an unrestricted registered veterinarian. No independent practice activity is permitted.”
abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 31103, Veterinarians. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $40.75 $62.50 $88.94 Good (4 of 5)
Canada $34.15 $60.00 $84.13 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Veterinarians in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 8 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare veterinarian licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Veterinarian: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/veterinarian · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Veterinarian - Alberta Veterinary Medical Association abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/veterinarian · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. vet tech - Alberta Veterinary Medical Association abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/vetapplication · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Become a Member - Alberta Veterinary Medical Association abvma.in1touch.org/site/become/member · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a veterinarian in Alberta?

Yes. Registration with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association is required to practise in Alberta, and to use the title veterinarian, veterinary surgeon or DVM.

Which exams are required?

North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), Basic Clinical Skills Exam (BCSE), Preliminary Surgical Assessment (PSA), Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE).

Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too

Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.

Schedule a Call

Free consultation. No commitment.