LicenseCompass

VETERINARIAN License in Massachusetts

Quick Answer

To become a licensed veterinarian in Massachusetts, earn a DVM, pass the NAVLE and a Massachusetts state exam. Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is the state's accredited program. The Boston metro area offers extensive companion-animal and specialty practice, plus biotech research opportunities.

Exam
NAVLE + Massachusetts state exam
Timeline
4-8 years (veterinary school) + 3-6 months (licensing)
Background Check
Required
Renewal
Every Biennial

Requirements

VETERINARIAN license in Massachusetts

gold
Education
Degree required
Exam
Third-party exam required
Background Check
No criminal record prohibitions
Continuing Education
Continuing education required to maintain license
Veterans Benefits
N/A - Not displayed

Licensing Agency

Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine~Division of Professional Licensure

VETERINARIAN Salary in Massachusetts

Entry Level

$103,710

Median

$131,500

Experienced

$239,200

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary data is for informational purposes only.

How to Get Licensed

Step-by-step roadmap to becoming a licensed VETERINARIAN in Massachusetts.

  1. 1

    Complete Education Requirements

    Degree required

  2. 2

    Submit Background Check

    No criminal record prohibitions

  3. 3

    Pass the Required Exam

    Third-party exam required — NAVLE + Massachusetts state exam

  4. 4

    Submit Your Application

    File your application with the licensing agency.

  5. 5

    Receive Your License

    Processing typically takes 4-8 years (veterinary school) + 3-6 months (licensing).

VETERINARIAN Licensing in Massachusetts: What to Know

Massachusetts requires a DVM degree from an AVMA-accredited school, passage of the NAVLE, and a state examination covering Massachusetts veterinary practice law. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine oversees licensure. Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton is the state's AVMA-accredited program, internationally recognized for its programs in comparative medicine, wildlife and conservation medicine, and the Foster Hospital for Small Animals and the Hospital for Large Animals. The state's practice environment is heavily companion-animal focused, reflecting its dense suburban and urban demographics in the Boston-Worcester-Springfield corridor. Massachusetts also hosts the renowned MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, one of the oldest and most advanced veterinary referral hospitals in the country. The state's cranberry, dairy, and equine industries support some large-animal practice in western Massachusetts and on Cape Cod. Massachusetts veterinarians benefit from proximity to major biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the Cambridge-Boston area that employ veterinary scientists in research and drug development roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a VETERINARIAN license in Massachusetts?
The process typically takes 4-8 years (veterinary school) + 3-6 months (licensing), depending on education completion and exam scheduling.
What exam do I need for a VETERINARIAN license in Massachusetts?
You need to pass the NAVLE + Massachusetts state exam. Third-party exam required

Considering another state?

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Data from CareerOneStop (DOLETA/DEED). Last updated: February 14, 2026.