Licensing process in Manitoba

To work as a veterinarian in Manitoba you must:

• have a degree in veterinary medicine acceptable to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association OR you must complete additional requirements as outlined by the association
• be registered with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

You must complete the following steps:

Note: The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association conducts the licensing process in English only. Thus, all documents must be translated into English.

STEP 1: Contact the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association and tell them you are an internationally educated veterinarian and want information on how to become licensed to practise in Manitoba.

Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association
6014 Roblin Boulevard
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3R 0H4
Phone: 204-832-1276
Toll-free: 1-866-338-6862
Fax: 204-832-1382
E-mail: mejay@mvma.ca
Website: mvma.ca

STEP 2: Contact the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and tell them you are an internationally educated veterinarian in the process of becoming licensed to practise in Manitoba.

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
339 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7K1
Phone: 613-236-1162
Toll-free 1-866-338-6862
Toll-free: 1-800-567-2862
Fax: 613-236-9681
Website: canadianveterinarians.net

STEP 3: Complete the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association application form.

You must submit the following:

• original or notarized copy of your degree in veterinary medicine*
• certified or notarized transcript*
• two letters of recommendation - one from a member of the executive of the licensing organization from the country in which you practised, and the other from a responsible citizen such as a clergyman, bank manager or government official*
• three signed and dated copies of a recent passport-size photograph
• certified copy of your birth certificate, passport or a statutory declaration confirming your identity
• assessment fee: C$450

* If documents are not in English or French, notarized translations are required.

STEP 4: Write the following exams to obtain a certificate of qualification from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association:

• basic and clinical sciences examination
• North American veterinary licensing examination
• clinical proficiency examination

STEP 5: Complete the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association application form.

You must submit the following:

• certified copy of your degree of veterinary medicine
• copy of the certificate of qualification
• annual membership dues: C$755.30
• initial registration fee: C$100
• annual CVMA dues: C$254.40

STEP 6: Complete any Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association exam requirements.

STEP 7: When all requirements have been met and fees paid the association will issue you a Manitoba general licence. This allows you to practise in Manitoba.

Additional information

BCSE: basic and clinical sciences examination is a four-hour, computer-based exam offered four times a year in Winnipeg at Prometric testing centres. The fee is C$200. After passing the the BCSE you can choose the order to complete the other tests.

NAVLE: North American veterinary licensing examination is a written exam offered in April and November/December in Winnipeg at Prometric. The fee is C$850.

CPE: clinical proficiency examination is offered in February, April/May, November and December in Guelph, Saskatoon, Charlottetown and Quebec. The fee is C$6,750.

In Manitoba you can practise veterinary medicine with a temporary licence after completing NAVLE. You must apply to the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association for this temporary licence and must work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

As part of your work, you are required to have intermediate or advanced English language skills in the four basic language areas - listening, speaking and reading and writing comprehension. Therefore, you should be able to:

• participate in discussions of a complex nature
• share your thoughts clearly
• understand technical documents
• write reports in English with confidence

Revised October 2011

Assistance for newcomers in Manitoba

• Communication and bridging programs for professionals
• Financial help to pursue professional licence
• A recent immigrant talks about how he found a job in this profession