Veterinarian License Renewal: CE Hours & Fees by State
Earning your veterinary license is a major accomplishment, but maintaining it requires ongoing attention. Every state mandates periodic renewal, typically paired with continuing education (CE) requirements. This guide covers renewal periods, fees, and CE obligations across all 51 states in our database so you can stay compliant and focused on your patients.
All data below is pulled from our verified state databases. Click any state to see its full renewal details and sources.
Renewal Overview
51
States Tracked
51
Require CE
25.8 hrs
Avg. CE Hours
$227
Avg. Renewal Fee
Complete Renewal Comparison Table
The table below shows renewal requirements for all 51 states, sorted by renewal period length. Click any state for full details.
| State | Renewal Period | Renewal Fee | CE Hours | CE Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Annual | $200 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Arkansas | Annual | $200 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Kansas | Annual | $200 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Massachusetts | Annual | $300 | 15 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Mississippi | Annual | $200 | 15 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Missouri | Annual | $150 | 10 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Nevada | Annual | $300 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| New Hampshire | Annual | $200 | 12 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| New Mexico | Annual | $250 | 15 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| North Carolina | Annual | $250 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Tennessee | Annual | $200 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Louisiana | Annual — renewal period is July 1 through September 30 each year | $200 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Nebraska | Biennial; licenses expire April 1 of every even year, regardless of when the license is issued | $250 | 32 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Texas | Annual (1 year) | $270 | 15 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Alaska | 2 years | $300 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Arizona | 2 years | $300 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| California | 2 years | $500/2yr | 36 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Colorado | 2 years (expires October 31 of even-numbered years) | $275 | 32 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Connecticut | 2 years | $300 | 24 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Delaware | 2 years | $227 | 24 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Florida | 2 years (biennial; expires May 31st every even year) | $260 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Georgia | 2 years | $200 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Hawaii | 2 years (renew by June 30 every even-numbered year) | $185 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Idaho | 2 years | $140 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Illinois | 2 years | $250 | 40 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Indiana | Consistent with 2-year cycle (next deadline October 15, 2027) | $100 | 40 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Kentucky | 2 years | $250 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Maine | 2 years | $200 | 24 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Minnesota | 2 years | $300 | 40 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Montana | 2 years | $200 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| New Jersey | 2 years | $200 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| North Dakota | 2 years | $200 | 24 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Ohio | 2 years | $250 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Oregon | 2 years | $275 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | $225 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Rhode Island | 2 years (licenses expire May 1 of each even-numbered year) | $160 | 24 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| South Carolina | 2 years | $200 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| South Dakota | 2 years | $200 | 32 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Utah | 2 years | $110 | 24 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Vermont | 2 years (renewal date: May 31st of Odd Years) | $175 | 24 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Washington | 2 years | $271 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Wisconsin | 2 years | $150 | 30 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Wyoming | 2 years | $200 | 16 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Iowa | 3 years | $200 | 60 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Michigan | 3 years | $200 | 45 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| New York | 3 years | $210 | 45 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Virginia | Annual (implied by 15 CE hours per year structure and reinstatement language) | $215 | 15 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Maryland | Annual (licenses expire June 30 each year; all veterinarians must renew before July 1) | $307 | 18 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| Oklahoma | Annual (due June 30 each year; July 15 for Faculty) | $150 | 20 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| District of Columbia | Licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years (biennial) | $340 | 36 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
| West Virginia | Annual (calendar year, due December 31) | $200 | 18 hrs | Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management |
Renewal Periods by State
States renew veterinary licenses on different schedules. Here is how states group by renewal period:
Annual Renewal Period (11 states)
Annual — renewal period is July 1 through September 30 each year Renewal Period (1 state)
Biennial; licenses expire April 1 of every even year, regardless of when the license is issued Renewal Period (1 state)
Annual (1 year) Renewal Period (1 state)
2 years Renewal Period (23 states)
2 years (expires October 31 of even-numbered years) Renewal Period (1 state)
2 years (biennial; expires May 31st every even year) Renewal Period (1 state)
2 years (renew by June 30 every even-numbered year) Renewal Period (1 state)
Consistent with 2-year cycle (next deadline October 15, 2027) Renewal Period (1 state)
2 years (licenses expire May 1 of each even-numbered year) Renewal Period (1 state)
2 years (renewal date: May 31st of Odd Years) Renewal Period (1 state)
Annual (implied by 15 CE hours per year structure and reinstatement language) Renewal Period (1 state)
Annual (licenses expire June 30 each year; all veterinarians must renew before July 1) Renewal Period (1 state)
Annual (due June 30 each year; July 15 for Faculty) Renewal Period (1 state)
Licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years (biennial) Renewal Period (1 state)
Annual (calendar year, due December 31) Renewal Period (1 state)
Continuing Education Requirements
51 of 51 states require continuing education to renew a veterinary license. CE hours across states range from 10 to 60 hours per renewal period, with an average of 25.8 hours.
States Requiring CE (51)
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Topics: Scientific veterinary medicine, Veterinary practice management, Ethics and jurisprudence, Controlled substance management
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Choose RACE-approved CE. The Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) is the AAVSB's program for standardized CE approval. Completing RACE-approved courses ensures your CE is accepted in virtually every state, which is especially important if you hold licenses in multiple jurisdictions.
- Renew your DEA registration separately. Your DEA registration for prescribing controlled substances renews on its own cycle (every 3 years) and is not tied to your state veterinary license renewal. Set a separate reminder so your DEA registration does not lapse — practicing without it can carry federal penalties.
- Check state-specific requirements carefully. Some states mandate CE in specific topics such as pain management, jurisprudence, or opioid prescribing. Others require a set number of hours in "live" or interactive formats rather than self-study. Review your state board's rules well before the renewal deadline.
- Set a calendar reminder 90 days out. Most states send renewal notices, but it is ultimately your responsibility. A 90-day reminder gives you time to complete outstanding CE and gather documents.
- Keep CE certificates on file. Retain all CE completion records for at least one full renewal cycle beyond the period in which you completed them. State boards may audit your compliance at any time.
- Renew online when available. Most state veterinary boards now offer online renewal portals, which provide faster processing and immediate confirmation. Check your board's website for the online option.
Next Steps
Find your state in the table above and click through for complete renewal details, including board contact information and direct links to renewal portals. Also explore our other veterinarian guides:
- How to Become a Veterinarian: Complete State-by-State Guide
- Compare Veterinary Licensing Requirements Across All States
Sources
Renewal data is sourced from official state veterinary licensing boards and verified against published fee schedules, CE rules, and administrative codes.
- Individual state veterinary medical board websites (cited on each state page).
- American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) — RACE program and renewal period references.
- DEA Diversion Control Division — registration renewal schedules and fee information.
Data was last verified in early 2026. Renewal fees, CE requirements, and board policies can change as states update their regulations. Always confirm current renewal requirements with your state's veterinary board before your renewal deadline.
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