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Frequently Asked Questions

Plan ahead! The license application process can take months due to the workload of the Board, the season of application (graduation season means more applicants), and the required supporting documentation from multiple sources. Although an applicant may be lucky and receive their license in a few short weeks, more often the process can take a minimum of 60-days.

Licensure by endorsement can take a long time due to the verifications needed from other licensing jurisdictions. Plan for at least 60-days for the Board to receive all necessary documentation, match it to your application, and complete a review for licensure.

If you are licensed in multiple states, you have the option of using the AAVSB’s Veterinary Credential Transfer Services. This service will coordinate the License Verification Letters from all states in which you hold a license and have those sent directly to the Kentucky Board.

After the application is reviewed, the application is review for completeness. If a state exam is included, the exam is also graded. The application is then put in a queue with other pending applications. A group of applications is periodically sent to the KBVE Applications Committee for review. If approved by committee license numbers are issued so candidates can begin work in the Commonwealth. Formal ratification of approvals by the KBVE occurs at the following scheduled Board Meeting.

If you have a license, you need CEUs. Unless you are a veterinarian who graduated during the current biennium period; if you are a veterinarian who is also a recent graduate, please review the carve outs for CEU requirements in 201 KAR 16:050, Section 1(4).

When you received your license, you did not pay a licensure fee. You paid an Application Fee and, if applicable, an Exam Fee. A Renewal Fee is to renew your license. In Kentucky, the renewal periods are not prorated and they are not a moving target. The renewal periods are set in statute (KRS 321.211) and regulation (201 KAR 16:030, 201 KAR 16:050). For more information on renewals, please visit the KBVE’s Renewals & CEUs.

    As detailed in 201 KAR 16:050, Section 2, approved courses for veterinary and veterinary technicians CEUs include:

  • (a) All scientific programs of all organizations of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), its constituent organizations, and its recognized specialty groups and accredited veterinary medical institutions whose meetings impart educational material directly relating to veterinary medicine;
  • (b) Programs approved by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB); and
  • (c) All programs approved by the board pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, not associated with RACE or the American Veterinary Medical Association and its sub-organizations. These programs are listed in a KBVE document titled Approved CEUs List

Please visit KBVE’s Forms page. At the bottom of the table under the “Other Forms” heading, download and complete the Continuing Education Course Other Form and submit to KBVE.

Please visit KBVE’s Forms page. At the bottom of the table under the “Other Forms” heading, download and complete the Continuing Education Course Other Form and submit to KBVE.

No, there is no limit to the number of online CEUs a licensee can obtain. The only restriction to earning CEUs is outlined in 201 KAR 16:050; specifically, Section 1(1)(b) states: Of the required hours: 1. At least twenty (20) hours shall be directly related to the practice of veterinary medicine; and 2. More than ten (10) hours shall not be in related areas such as practice management.

Log in to the eServices Portal to print a current copy of your license or wallet card. If you have any trouble with logging into the eServices Portal, please contact Vet@ky.gov or call 502-782-0273

The fastest way to obtain a Letter of Good Standing/Verification Letter is to log in to the eServices website. After logging in, under the heading “Other Services”, you will see a link for “Verification for Other States”. Click that link to be taken to the online request form. The fee is $10. The system will auto generate an email to any email address that you provide.

If the jurisdiction that requires the letter needs a paper copy, or needs any specific forms completed, you can make payment online and then email your payment receipt and a PDF copy of the jurisdictional form to Vet@ky.gov.

The slowest method to obtain a Letter of Good Standing/Verification Letter is to visit KBVE’s Forms page. At the bottom of the table under the “Other Forms” heading, download and complete the License Verification / Letter of Good Standing Request form and submit to KBVE along with any required jurisdictional forms. You can submit all documents as PDFs to Vet@ky.gov or send via postal mail to the Board’s office.

Yes. Please complete and submit the veterinary license application form found on the Forms page and submit to the Board. Note that the licensing process may take 60 to 90 days to complete.

In Kentucky, an individual in a preceptorship does not need to be licensed; however they are restricted to only completing tasks under the direct supervision of a Kentucky licensed veterinarian, with tasks limited to the same as a veterinarian assistant, for the duration of the preceptorship.

If you are a licensed out-of-state veterinarian planning to work independently at a temporary clinic in Kentucky, you must be licensed as a veterinarian in Kentucky. Please complete the application for licensure as a veterinarian. If you are a licensed out-of-state veterinarian planning to work with a Kentucky licensed veterinarian at a temporary clinic in Kentucky, you must be under direct supervision of the Kentucky licensed veterinarian at all times.

In both cases, you must also submit a letter to the Board of your intentions to work in Kentucky at least 30 days prior to the clinic. The letter should include an attachment letter from the Kentucky clinic or licensed Kentucky veterinarian with whom you are partnering and include their contact information. Between you and your Kentucky partner(s), you must designate who is responsible for keeping the medical records generated at the clinic, who is responsible for the follow-up care for all animals seen at the clinic, and how clients shall be notified of whom to contact in the event of a medical emergency following treatments at the clinic.

In all, the process may take nine months to a year or longer depending on the details of the case. Once a grievance is received by the KBVE, a letter is issued to the alleged party. The party has 20 days to respond to the Board. After the Board receives the response, the response is reviewed and discussed by the Complaints Screening Committee. The Committee typically meets only prior to Board Meetings, so it may be 60 days before the grievance and response are reviewed.

If necessary, the Board’s investigator will gather more information and conduct interviews. The Committee shall hear the Investigator’s Report at the next Committee Meeting – typically 60 days away. After carefully reviewing all the information obtained, the Committee will make a recommendation to the KBVE and the full Board will decide on the best course of action. All involved parties will be notified of the outcome in writing.