The School of Veterinary Medicine offers a four-year professional degree program leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The goal of the professional curriculum is to provide each graduate with a broad veterinary medical education and the skills necessary for the profession. The DVM degree offers graduates professional career opportunities within private practice, academics, research, industry, the armed forces, government services, and others.

Visit the School of Veterinary Medicine website for more information about the program and our mission.

National and Wisconsin State Licensing Requirements

All veterinarians must successfully complete both national and state application requirements and exams in order to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine.

All 4th year (senior) students in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, can take the North American Licensing Examination (NAVLE).  The exam is offered during a fall testing window usually in November/December, and also in the spring usually in April. There is a fee associated with this exam.  For complete information regarding the NAVLE, including testing dates, please visit:  https://www.icva.net/

If you were approved for the NAVLE through the Wisconsin board, ICVA will send you an email regarding this WI state exam information, and you will be invited to register and pay to take the exam. Visit the ICVA website for instructions.

For complete information on Wisconsin state licensing requirements for individuals seeking licensure to practice veterinary medicine by examination/endorsement, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection-Veterinary Medicine License Application Page.

Accreditation status

accredited

Full accreditation status was most recently re-affirmed in 2022 following a full accreditation review by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. The Council, on the basis of that review, granted full accreditation status for a period of seven years, subject to annual approval of reports submitted to the Council by the SVM.

Next accreditation review: 2028–2029.