Veterinarian License in Hawaii

Hawaii requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, be a US citizen or authorized to work, graduate from an AVMA-accredited college, pass the NAVLE, complete continuing education, and have no disqualifying criminal convictions. The Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees the profession. Hawaii has no in-state veterinary school, so all candidates must earn their DVM elsewhere and relocate to the islands, adding significant cost and logistical complexity that limits the practitioner pipeline. Hawaii's unique island ecosystem presents distinctive veterinary challenges, including strict quarantine protocols for imported animals to maintain the state's rabies-free status, one of the most rigorous biosecurity frameworks in the nation. The state's practice environment is predominantly companion-animal focused in the Honolulu metropolitan area, but also includes tropical livestock operations, aquaculture (particularly tilapia and shrimp), and conservation work with endangered native species such as the Hawaiian monk seal, green sea turtle, and nene goose. Military veterinary positions at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Schofield Barracks also contribute to local demand and provide employment stability.