Too soon to get started on State Licenses?

[No Imagination]

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So, just got my results back from the NAVLE (Passed, yay!); and am done with all my required classes. Wanted to get started on getting licensed in various states, but so far they all seem to require graduating prior to getting licensed.

Is that accurate or am I missing something. I was under the impression you could start the process prior to graduating?

I would like to get a move on so I can earnestly start looking for work, but from what i understand, some state boards can take several months to process an application. What are we supposed to do in the mean time; not work?

 

[rustysmom]

Depending on your state, you may be able to get started now. I was able to send in my applications (license and controlled substance) and fees well ahead of graduation. I also got my fingerprints done and sent well before graduation. They held everything until they received my transcript from the school (I had to request the school to send my transcript to the state). Once they got my transcripts, I had my licenses shortly after starting work. I was able to work without my license - I couldn't sign off on any vaccine/health certificates or call in any prescriptions but everything else was fine. I got my licenses a couple of weeks after starting work. This is all Michigan-based and I'm not sure if any states are different. Check with your state licensing board.

Don't forget, you will likely need to be accredited to sign off on rabies vaccines and write health certificates. I also did this paperwork well before graduation. I got my national accreditation number roughly the same time as my licenses. Good luck!

 

[No Imagination]

Thanks for the reply! The websites are pretty vague (and bureaucratic), so like you suggested, I will probably have to call the states specifically to see what my options are.

 

[primatevetjess]

Yeah, I would definitely call because it differs state to state. In CA, we take our state board in fourth year, after the NAVLE. A lot of my classmates have already taken it, and you find out at the test center if you passed or not.

Related question: I once found a list of all states that required state board exams and those that didn't, but I can't seem to find it now. Anyone have that info?