Required Veterinary CE Hours by State
Continuing education is crucial for veterinary professionals to enhance their skills, stay current on the latest advancements in the field, and meet licensing requirements. Licensing boards in each US state establish specific requirements for veterinary professionals within their jurisdiction, and CE requirements can vary widely across states in the US.
Individual states may require or restrict CE hours on specific topics (eg, opioids, antibiotic resistance, practice management), and may set restrictions on how CE hours may be completed (eg, online courses, correspondence courses, “active” and “passive” learning).
License renewal periods and deadlines for submitting CE hours earned vary by individual state boards.
Clinician’s Brief is not affiliated with individual state boards; the information below has been compiled for the benefit of Clinician’s Brief readers. CE information listed below is subject to change. Check with your state board for the most up-to-date continuing education requirements.
CE Requirements for Veterinarians
| Total CE Requirements | Online CE | Notes |
20 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online (must be RACE-approved) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep/submit records each year - License renewals start September 1 each year | |
30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for 3 years - License expires December 31 every 2 years (next expiry December 2024) | |
20 hours every 2 years | 20 hours may be obtained online if interactive | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - Licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years | |
20 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online, including prerecorded or noninteractive | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - Licenses expire annually March 31 | |
36 hours every 2 years | 36 hours may be obtained online; 30 hours must be interactive | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for 4 years - License should be renewed every 2 years; expiry dependent on application date | |
32 hours every 2 years | 32 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - Veterinarian licenses expire October 31 of even-numbered years | |
24 hours every 2 years | 24 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved; RACE approval is not required - Keep CE records for at least 3 years - License renewal is every 2 years, dependent on application date | |
24 hours every 2 years | 24 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expires July 31 of even-numbered years | |
30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours may be obtained online; 15 hours by correspondence | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - Veterinarian license expires May 31 of even years | |
30 hours every 2 years | 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 3 years - License expires December 31 of even-numbered years | |
20 hours every 2 years | No online specification | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expires June 30 of even-numbered years | |
20 hours every 2 years | 15 hours may be obtained online | - No requirements for CE specified - Maintain an online record of your CE through licensing portal - License expires annually July 1 | |
40 hours every 2 years | 40 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires January 31 of odd-numbered years | |
40 hours every 2 years | 20 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires October 15 of odd-numbered years | |
60 hours every 3 years | 20 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - 20 hours of excess CE carryover allowed for veterinarians - Submit CE log with renewal and keep records - Licenses issued in July | |
20 hours per year | 20 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Submit CE log with renewal and keep records - License expires annually June 30 | |
30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires September 30 of even-numbered years | |
20 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - CE records must be uploaded into portal prior to renewal - License expires annually June 30 | |
24 hours every 2 years | 24 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - Licenses expire annually September 30; CE renewal in even-numbered years | |
18 hours per year | 18 hours may be obtained online for Fiscal Year 2024 (June 30, 2023) renewals Only 9 hours prior to COVID adjustment; this could change for next renewal | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Excess CE may be carried over to next year - Keep CE records/Upload CE records for renewal - License expires annually June 30 | |
15 hours per year | 6 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expires annually February 28 | |
45 hours every 3 years | 33 hours may be obtained online; an additional 6 hours may be obtained online if interactive | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expiration dates vary by the date the license was acquired | |
40 hours every 2 years | 10 hours online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records at least 4 years - Even-numbered licenses expire March 1 of even-numbered years - Odd-numbered licenses expire March 1 of odd-numbered years | |
15 hours per year | 5 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Proof of CE must be submitted with annual license renewal forms - License expires annually August 1 | |
10 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Up to 10 CE credits can be carried over to the next year - Proof of CE must be submitted with annual license renewal forms - Keep CE records for the current year and 2 years prior - License expires annually December 1 | |
20 hours every 2 years | 10 hours may be obtained online | - The veterinary board does not pre-approve any CE courses or sponsors; no AAVSB RACE approval mandated - Keep CE records for 1 year prior to current renewal - License expires November 1 of even-numbered years | |
32 hours every 2 years | 8 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expires April 1 of even-numbered years | |
20 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires annually on December 31 - In-person CE for 2023 renewal has been waived but will be required hereafter - All CE hour requirements will double for 2024 renewals | |
24 hours every 2 years | 6 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - CE must be Category 1 (Medical Program) only - Keep CE records for renewal | |
20 hours every 2 years |
| - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Credits can be obtained for caring for stray/feral cats - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires in June of odd-numbered years | |
15 hours per year | 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Maximum of 15 CE credits can be carried over to meet following year requirements - Log CE on form with license renewal and keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires annually December 31 - Maximum amount of CE hours available to be obtained online changes to 7.5 hours in 2024 | |
45 hours every 3 years | 22.5 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 6 years - License expires triannually based on month of birth - 3 hours of CE may be obtained by pro bono spaying and/or neutering | |
20 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online; 5 hours must be 'interactive' | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for the three most recent renewal periods - License expires annually December 31 | |
24 hours every 2 years | 8 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for verification if requested - Licenses expires annually July 1 - CE is certified with every even year renewal | |
30 hours every 2 years | 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for verification at license renewal - License renewal by March 1 of even-numbered years | |
20 hours per year | 20 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for 5 years - License renews annually on June 30 | |
30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 2 years - License expires annually every odd-numbered year | |
30 hours every 2 years | 7.5 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 5 years - License expires November 30 of even-numbered years | |
24 hours every 2 years | 4 hours may be obtained online (non-contact) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 4 years - License expires April 30 of even-numbered years | |
30 hours every 2 years | Until the end of 2023, 100% of hours may be online RACE approved. Beginning in 2024, 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - All licensees are provided a free CE Broker Basic Account and must maintain current info - Keep records for at least 3 years - License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years | |
32 hours per 2 years | 16 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for proof of renewal requirements - License expires June 30 of odd-numbered years | |
20 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online (multimedia) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 4 years - License expires annually December 31 | |
17 hours per year | 5 hours may be obtained online (correspondence) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Excess of 17 CE credits may be carried over to the following year - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires on the last day of the licensee’s birth month | |
24 hours every 2 years | 24 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - CE must include 1 hour related to opioid use & dependency and 1 hour related to diversity, equity, and inclusion - Online CE, with no interactive, must have an examination at the end - Keep records for at least 4 years - License expires September 30 of even-numbered years | |
24 hours per 2 years | 24 hours may be obtained online, per COVID allowance | - CE must be state board approved or other CE opportunities kept by CE log - Keep records for at least 4 years | |
15 hours every year | 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 4 years - CE also for volunteer hours for low-income individuals or free health clinics - License expires annually December 31 | |
30 hours every 2 years | 10 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for verification | |
18 hours per year | 4 hours may be obtained online (noninteractive) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 2 years - License renews annually October 1-December 31 | |
30 hours every 2 years | 30 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 5 years - License expires December 31 of odd-numbered years | |
24 hours every 2 years | 24 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - CE must include 3 hours of controlled substance training - Keep records for at least 1 year - Must submit CE form (not certificates) with license renewal - License expires annually December 31 | |
36 hours every 2 years | 36 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 5 years - License expires December 31 of odd-numbered years |
CE Requirements for Veterinarian Technicians
| Total CE Requirements | Online CE | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
8 hours per year | 8 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep/submit records each year - License renewals start September 1 each year | |
10 hours every 2 years | 10 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for 3 years License expires December 31 every 2 years (next expiry December 2024) | |
10 hours every 2 years | 10 hours may be obtained online if interactive | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - Licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years | |
12 hours per year | 6 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - Licenses expire annually March 31 | |
20 hours every 2 years | 20 hours may be obtained online; 16 hours must be interactive | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for 4 years - License should be renewed every 2 years; expiry dependent on application date | |
20 hours every 2 years | 20 hours may be obtained online | - Effective January 1, 2024, veterinary technicians in Colorado are required to maintain active credentialing with the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT); review guidelines to meet CACVT requirements here - RACE approved courses are accepted but not required - Veterinary technician credential renewals are due June 30 of even-numbered years | |
12 hours every 2 years | 6 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved; RACE approval is not required - Keep CE records for at least 3 years - License renewal dependent on application date | |
12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expires July 31 of even-numbered years | |
No state requirement FVTA certification membership requires 15 hours every 2 years | |||
10 hours every 2 years | 4 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 3 years - License expires December 31 of even-numbered years | |
No state requirement noted |
| - License expires June 30 of even-numbered years | |
15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours may be obtained online | - No requirements for CE specified - Maintain an online record of CE through licensing portal - License expires annually July 1 | |
15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires January 31 of odd-numbered years | |
16 hours every 2 years | 8 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires January 1 of even-numbered years | |
30 hours every 3 years | 10 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - 10 hours of excess CE carryover allowed for technicians - Submit CE log with renewal and keep records - License expires December 31 of triennial years | |
No state requirement; suggested 4 hours per year | 20 hours may be obtained online | - License expires annually March 31 | |
6 hours per year | 6 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires annually September 30 | |
10 hours per year | 5 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - CE records must be uploaded into portal prior to renewal - License expires annually June 30 | |
No state requirement |
| - License expires annually September 30 | |
24 hours every 3 years | 24 Online for Fiscal Year 2024 (June 30, 2023) renewals Only 8 hours every 3 years, no more than 4 hours per fiscal year, prior to COVID adjustment; this could change for next renewal | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Excess CE may be carried over to next year - Keep CE records/Upload CE records for renewal - License expires annually June 30 | |
No state requirement MVTA membership requires 12 hours per year | MVTA membership allows 12 hours to be obtained online | ||
15 hours every 3 years, minimum of 5 hours live or synchronous contact | 10 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expiration dates vary by date of license acquired | |
10 hours every 2 years | 5 hours may be obtained online (noninteractive) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records at least 4 years - License expires June 30 every 2 years | |
10 hours per year | 5 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Proof of CE must be submitted with annual license renewal forms - License expires annually August 1 | |
5 hours per year; at least 3 hours by attending a formal meeting | 2 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Up to 10 CE credits can be carried over to the next year - Proof of CE must be submitted with annual license renewal forms - Keep CE records for the current year and 2 years prior - License expires annually December 1 | |
20 hours every 2 years | 10 hours may be obtained online | - The veterinary board does not pre-approve any CE courses or sponsors; no AAVSB RACE approval required - Keep CE records for 1 year prior to current renewal - License expires November 1 of even-numbered years | |
16 hours every 2 years | 4 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records in case of audit - License expires April 1 of even-numbered years | |
10 hours per year | 5 hours may be obtained online | - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires annually on December 31 - In-person CE for 2023 renewal has been waived but will be required hereafter - All CE hour requirements will double for 2024 renewals | |
No state requirement NHVTA requires 12 hours every | NHVTA allows for 12 hours to be obtained online |
| |
No state requirement NJVTA requres 20 hours every 2 years | NJVTA allows for 20 hours to be obtained online | - CE hours may be AAVSB RACE approved | |
8 hours per year | 4 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Maximum of 15 CE credits can be carried over to meet following year requirements - Log CE on form with license renewal and keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires annually December 31 | |
24 hours every 3 years | 12 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for at least 6 years - License expires triannually based on month of birth | |
12 hours every 2 years | 6 hours may be obtained online; 3 must be 'interactive' | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for the three most recent renewal periods - License expires annually December 31 | |
8 hours every 2 years | 2 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for verification if requested - License expires annually December 31 - CE is certified with every even year renewal | |
10 hours every 2 years | 6 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for verification at license renewal - License renewal by March 1 of odd-numbered years | |
10 hours per year | 10 hours may be obtained online if RACE approved, otherwise restrictions apply | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for 5 years - License renews annually on June 30 | |
15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 2 years - License expires annually every even-numbered year | |
16 hours every 2 years | 16 hours may be obtained online- | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 5 years - License expires November 30 of even-numbered years | |
No state requirements RIVTA requires 12 hours per year | RIVTA allows for 6 hours to be obtained online |
| |
10 hours every 2 years | 5 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - All licensees are provided a free CE Broker Basic Account and must maintain current info - Keep records for at least 3 years - License expires March 31 of odd-numbered years | |
12 hours every 2 years | 12 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for proof of renewal requirements - License expires June 30 of odd-numbered years | |
12 hours per year | 4 hours may be obtained online (multimedia) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 4 years - License expires annually December 31 | |
10 hours per year | 4 hours may be obtained online (correspondence) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Excess of 17 CE credits may be carried over to the following year - Keep CE records for at least 4 years - License expires on the last day of the licensee’s birth month | |
12 hours every 2 years | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Online CE, with no interactive, must have an examination at the end - Keep records for at least 4 years - License expires September 30 of even-numbered years | ||
No state requirement VVTA requires 18 hours every 2 years | VVTA allows for 6 hours to be obtained online | ||
8 hours every year | 8 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 4 years - CE also for volunteer hours for low-income individuals or free health clinics - License expires annually December 31 | |
20 hours every 2 years | 6 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep CE records for verification | |
8 hours per year | 4 hours may be obtained online (noninteractive) | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - No online CE allowance for audio or journal reading - Keep records for at least 2 years - License renews annually October 1-December 31 | |
15 hours every 2 years | 15 hours may be obtained online | - CE must be state board approved or AAVSB RACE approved - Keep records for at least 5 years - License expires December 31 of odd-numbered years | |
No state requirement WYVTA membership requires 10 hours every 2 years | WYVTA allows for 10 hours to be obtained online | - Veterinary technician certification is voluntary | |
No state requirement |
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Resource
Find additional information about licensing at the American Association of Veterinary State Boards website.