Veterinarian License in Illinois

Healthcare · IL

License RequiredVery High Difficulty

Key Insights

•The $344 licensing fee in IL is 14% below the $400 national average for Veterinarian licenses across 53 states.
•Veterinarians in IL earn $121,940/year, 2% above the national median of $119,100.
•The license fee represents just 0.28% of the annual salary, offering a strong return on the licensing investment.
•Rated "Very High" difficulty, this is one of the most rigorous licensing path. 7 of 26 licenses in IL share this difficulty level.
•License renewal requires 30 CE hours every 2 year(s), averaging 15 hours annually.

Live DataLast updated: April 13, 2026·Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards

Verified

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing BoardsUpdated: 2026 dataHow we compile →

Key Takeaways

Illinois requires a license for Veterinarian. Across all 53 states with data, 100% require licensure for this occupation.
The $344 initial fee is close to the national average of $400 across 53 states.
Veterinarians in Illinois earn $121,940/year — 2% above the national median of $119,100. Higher pay often correlates with higher cost of living or stronger demand.
The licensing process has very high difficulty, requiring DVM (4 years post-bachelor) and typically taking 8 years to complete. Ongoing CE: 30 hours per cycle.
License renewal is required every 2 years in Illinois. The average renewal cycle across states is 2 years.

Education

DVM (4 years post-bachelor)

Required Exam

NAVLE

Initial Fee

$344

Renewal Period

Every 2 year(s)

CE Hours / Cycle

30 hours

Time to License

8 years

Salary Comparison

Illinois Average Wage

$121,940/yr

National Median Wage

$119,100/yr

+$2,840 (+2%) compared to national median

IllinoisNational

💡 Why it matters: Veterinarian

A Veterinarian license in Illinois costs $344 initially and requires DVM (4 years post-bachelor). Illinois wages are above the national median by 2%, making it a competitive market for this profession.

Veterinarian License in Other States

State	Fee	Wage	Difficulty
Alaska	$338	$128,430	Very High
Alabama	$403	$105,210	Very High
Arkansas	$437	$102,540	Very High
Arizona	$361	$119,150	Very High
California	$513	$140,750	Very High
Colorado	$345	$129,210	Very High
Connecticut	$315	$135,360	Very High
District of Columbia	$406	$147,670	Very High
Delaware	$397	$124,830	Very High
Florida	$338	$119,320	Very High
Georgia	$385	$113,510	Very High
Hawaii	$296	$142,650	Very High

View all states for Veterinarian→

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Data verified: 2026-04

State DOL & Professional Boards

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LicenseWize Editorial TeamData Specialists

The LicenseWize editorial team aggregates and verifies licenses data from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.

✓ Sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements

Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Veterinarian license required in Illinois?

Yes, Illinois requires a professional license to work as a Veterinarian. You must complete DVM (4 years post-bachelor), pass the NAVLE, and pay an initial fee of $344. The licensing process is rated Very High difficulty.

How much does a Veterinarian license cost in Illinois?

The initial application fee for a Veterinarian license in Illinois is $344. The license must be renewed every 2 year(s), with 30 continuing education hours required per renewal cycle. Additional costs include education, exam fees, and background checks.

What education is needed to become a Veterinarian in Illinois?

Illinois requires DVM (4 years post-bachelor) to qualify for a Veterinarian license. Candidates must pass the NAVLE examination. The typical timeline from start to licensure is 8 years. All data is sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics & State Licensing Boards.

How much do Veterinarians earn in Illinois?

Veterinarians in Illinois earn approximately $121,940 per year, which is $2,840 above the national median of $119,100. Actual earnings depend on experience, employer, and specific location within the state.

How does Illinois compare to other states for Veterinarian licensing?

Illinois's Veterinarian licensing requirements can be compared against all 53 US jurisdictions on LicenseWize. Requirements including fees ($344), education (DVM (4 years post-bachelor)), and difficulty (Very High) vary significantly between states. Visit the Veterinarian occupation page to see a full state-by-state comparison.

Key Insights

•The $344 licensing fee in IL is 14% below the $400 national average for Veterinarian licenses across 53 states.

•Veterinarians in IL earn $121,940/year, 2% above the national median of $119,100.

•The license fee represents just 0.28% of the annual salary, offering a strong return on the licensing investment.

•Rated "Very High" difficulty, this is one of the most rigorous licensing path. 7 of 26 licenses in IL share this difficulty level.

•License renewal requires 30 CE hours every 2 year(s), averaging 15 hours annually.