Nevada Veterinary Licensing Explained: The LVT, the Odd Year CE Cycle and the Half Live Rule

Nevada's veterinary board licenses more than veterinarians and technicians: it also licenses animal physical therapists and animal chiropractors. Its CE rules are straightforward, with one detail worth planning for: half of every licensee's hours must be in person or live.

Who regulates veterinary medicine in Nevada

The Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners licenses veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs), animal physical therapists and animal chiropractors, and licenses veterinary facilities. The practice act is NRS Chapter 638, and the regulations are NAC Chapter 638. Licensees apply and renew through the board's online portal, which also offers public license verification.

Continuing education

From the board's published requirements:

The cycle

CE must be completed in the two years before your license expires: July 1 of an odd year to June 30 of the next odd year. The current cycle runs from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027.

At least half in person or live

At least half of the required hours must be in person or live. Online courses count toward that half if they are live or "distance interactive." Pre recorded, on demand courses count only toward the other half.

That means an LVT needs at least 10 hours, and a veterinarian at least 20, from in person or live sources each cycle.

Certificates

You list your CE at renewal and upload certificates through the portal. Each certificate must show the delivery method, in person, live or distance interactive, or the hours may not count toward the live half.

Approved providers

The board lists, among others: AVMA courses and specialty organizations; Western Veterinary Conference and Wild West Veterinary Conference; other regional conferences such as PacVet; the Nevada Department of Agriculture; the USDA; AAHA; RACE approved courses; the Nevada VMA; Nevada institutions such as UNLV, UNR, TMCC and CSN; accredited veterinary and veterinary technician schools; and other states' veterinary boards and associations.

A free course from the board

The board offers "Paw and Order," a free course by its investigator on how board investigations start, what they involve and how to avoid them. Completing the quiz earns 2 hours of CE.

Nevada's in person VCPR

In 2022, Nevada enacted a law requiring an in person examination, or timely visits to where animals are kept, to establish a veterinarian client patient relationship, according to the AVMA. Telemedicine works within an existing relationship. See telemedicine and the VCPR.

How to verify a Nevada license

Use the board's online license verification. Search by name or license number, confirm the type (veterinarian or LVT) and read the status and expiration. See how to verify a veterinary license.

What this means for Nevada practices

• Budget for live CE. Half of everyone's hours must be in person or live. Regional conferences and live webinars help.
• Point your team to the free board course for two easy hours.
• Check renewals after June 30, 2027.

How Zuse helps

Zuse Hire shows Nevada practices the licensed veterinarians and LVTs nearby, checked against the board's record. On Zuse Talent, Nevada veterinarians and technicians can claim their license and browse vet tech jobs with pay shown.

Sources

• Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Webinars and continuing education
• Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 638
• AVMA News, VCPR requirements fuel state legislative activity (November 2, 2023)

Rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

FAQ

How much CE do Nevada LVTs need?

Twenty hours every two years, from July 1 of an odd year to June 30 of the next odd year, with at least half in person or live.

How much CE do Nevada veterinarians need?

Forty hours every two years, with at least half in person or live.

Do live webinars count as in person CE in Nevada?

Yes. Online courses that are live or distance interactive count toward the half that must be in person or live. Certificates must show the delivery method.

When does the current Nevada CE cycle end?

June 30, 2027. It began July 1, 2025.

Is there free CE from the Nevada board?

Yes. The board's "Paw and Order" course on investigations earns 2 hours of CE after a short quiz.