Applicants licensed in Canada – How to Apply
Veterinarians who are currently licensed or registered in another Canadian province or territory are eligible to apply for an equivalent licence in Ontario.
Each province or territory has its own veterinary regulatory body. These regulatory bodies are governed by their own legislation. Labour mobility agreements between Canadian provinces and territories allow some applicants the ability to apply for Ontario licensure without additional training, examinations or assessments.
Please note that you do not have to give up your licence from another province or territory in order to obtain licensure in Ontario.
If you are already licensed to practice veterinary medicine in another province or territory:
- You can provide a copy of your degree in veterinary medicine and National Board Exam results;
- You will need to successfully complete the CVO Jurisprudence Exam; and
- You will need to provide a letter of standing from your current jurisdiction and from any other jurisdiction where you held or currently hold licensure.
You may not begin to practise veterinary medicine until you are licensed with the College and have received written confirmation and a licence number.
Step 1: Determine licence type
The College offers seven different
licence types. Please review
licence types to understand your options for licensure at the College.
Step 2: Complete the licence application form
If you are a new applicant or have submitted an application in the past, please submit an online licensure application.
If you currently hold a licence with the CVO, please submit a paper licensure application.
The following must be submitted with your application form:
- Complete the CVO Jurisprudence confidentiality declaration
- provide payment for the licence application fee and CVO Jurisprudence Exam fee
- attach your identification document and legal work authorization (if already obtained)
You will receive an email from College staff within five business days to let you know that the application has been received.
Step 3: Submit required documents
Submit the required documents that are applicable to the licence type you are seeking.
- name change information (if required)
- veterinary degree or transcripts
- language proficiency (if required)
- examination and assessment pathway results (if required)
- suitability to practise information
See licensure requirements for detailed information about each of the requirements and how you may submit this documentation to the College.
Step 4: Complete CVO Jurisprudence Exam
Prepare for the CVO Jurisprudence Exam if it is a requirement for the licence type you are seeking.
You will receive an e-mail confirming your eligibility to take the CVO Jurisprudence Exam. Please review the Jurisprudence Exam Information page for detailed information about the exam.
Step 5: Pay licence fee
Once you have successfully completed the CVO Jurisprudence Exam and submitted all required documents you can pay the appropriate
licence fee and ask to have your licence processed. The licence can be issued within two business days.