How to apply
Applicants can either graduate from an AVMA-COE accredited veterinary school or from an acceptable unaccredited veterinary school. There are different examination and assessment pathways depending on the accreditation status of your veterinary school. For more information about accredited and unaccredited schools, please visit the AVMA website.
This information is intended for individuals who have graduated or are about to graduate from an acceptable unaccredited veterinary school. To obtain licensure in Ontario, you must complete an approved licence examination and assessment pathway.
You may not begin to practise veterinary medicine until you are licensed with the College and have received written confirmation and a licence number.
Accredited Veterinary Colleges
Unaccredited Veterinary Colleges
Here to assist you
We understand that applying for a licence to practice veterinary medicine is a significant step in your career, and we want to support you with clear information about our processes in accordance with our service commitment.
When you submit an application for licensure, our staff review it carefully and will strive to contact you with information about the outstanding requirements within five business days. Once you meet all the requirements for a particular licence, it can be approved and processed within two business days.
We look forward to assisting you with the licensing process and answering any questions you have. Contact our team at licensure@cvo.org if you would like to make an appointment to meet with us.
Licensure steps for applicants from acceptable unaccredited veterinary colleges:
Licence Types: The College offers seven different licence types. Please review licence types to understand your options for licensure.
Restricted licence under supervision: The College provides graduates of acceptable unaccredited veterinary schools with the opportunity to acquire practical experience working under the supervision of a CVO member with a general licence, before they have passed the Clinical Proficiency Exam (CPE). Eligible applicants may be granted restricted licences under supervision by the College’s Registration Committee.
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.
Applicant Portal – online application
Licensure Application (PDF)
The next step is to submit all required documents that are applicable to the licence type you are seeking.
- name change information (if required)
- veterinary medicine 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.
Licensure Requirements
Next, applicants are required to successfully complete the 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 details about the exam.
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.
Licence Fee
