Post-NAVLE out of country practice

[minivet26]

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Hello!
I’m an international student from the US at a UK vet school. I’m planning on taking the NAVLE next year, but am looking to practice in a different country (not US or Canada) after graduation. I was wondering what that would look like in terms of license expiration? Like, will I be able to complete licensing requirements and keep it up while practicing abroad, or will I have to take the NAVLE again in the future if I move back? Is there a cut off point?

I’ve tried to look into this but I’m not sure if I understand it well.. any input is appreciated!

 

[JaynaAli]

Hello!
I’m an international student from the US at a UK vet school. I’m planning on taking the NAVLE next year, but am looking to practice in a different country (not US or Canada) after graduation. I was wondering what that would look like in terms of license expiration? Like, will I be able to complete licensing requirements and keep it up while practicing abroad, or will I have to take the NAVLE again in the future if I move back? Is there a cut off point?

I’ve tried to look into this but I’m not sure if I understand it well.. any input is appreciated!

It’s not exactly the same situation, but I am a pathologist which doesn’t necessarily need a license to do our job (it’s a grey area of “practice”), but many people choose to have them anyway and some employers require a license, so I do have some background for this type of question. What I believe most people usually do because it’s easiest is take NAVLE and then pay to maintain a license in a US state (which would require keeping up on the CE) even if you’re practicing elsewhere. Some states are cheaper and easier to renew than others. My pathology mentor maintained a license in like, Virginia or something (I don’t remember the exact state) despite never having ever visited because it was cheapest option she found. You’ll have to do a bunch of Googling to see which states are cheapest and have the simplest CE requirements to meet remotely. Some states do a yearly renewal and some are longer like 2-3years. I think there is a period where you can get a license on an “old” NAVLE (I wanna say it’s like five years in most states but that’s a vague recollection), but after a certain point, yes they may make you retake it if you haven’t maintained licensure and CE since then. But I think that’s up to the individual states. And usually, if you were licensed but let it lapse and then you’re trying to reinstate an expired license, they still make you show that you did CE all those years or you’ve done a bunch recently to that same extent. It’s far simpler to just get licensed somewhere and pay a few hundred bucks every year or two to maintain it by paying and doing online CE if there’s a chance you’ll end up back in the US. Most states will gladly accept your money and keep you as a licensed vet even if you’re not actually practicing there.