Licence to treat animals and birds

Veterinary Licence

To treat animals and birds, you are required to apply for and obtain a veterinary licence from AVS/NParks. This requirement is stated under Section 53 of the Animals and Birds Act.

Generally, veterinary degrees from veterinary schools fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) or the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) are acceptable qualifications for obtaining a veterinary licence in Singapore. These degrees may be issued by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and AVMA-accredited veterinary schools. 

Those who hold veterinary degrees from non-recognised universities may still be eligible for licensing if they have passed any of the following examinations: 

• RCVS Statutory Examination for Membership 

• North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) through the Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) Certification 

• Australasian Veterinary Examination (AVE)

Code of Ethics 

Veterinary surgeons working in any veterinary centre should act in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians [PDF, 204KB]. 

The Code of Ethics is implemented to assure the public of the quality service standards veterinarians are capable of and promote co-operation among veterinary industry professionals. 

Exemplary professional conduct displayed in accordance with this code of ethics not only upholds honour and dignity. It also enlarges each professional’s sphere of usefulness, exalts their social standards, and promotes the science they cultivate. 

Four fundamental principles guide the work of veterinarians: 

1. To pursue the work of one's profession with uprightness of conduct. 

2. To serve the community to the utmost of one’s ability. 

3. To constantly endeavour to ensure the welfare of animals committed to one’s care. 

4. To seek no personal advantage at the expense of one’s professional colleagues. 

How to apply 

Please log in to GoBusiness to apply for a Licence to Treat Animals & Birds. Please ensure that you have an active SingPass or Foreign-user account to facilitate licence application. 

Approximately 25 working days is needed to process an application that is complete and in order.

The Licence to Treat Animals and Birds costs S$80 and is valid for a maximum of two years. 

AVS Veterinary Licensing Briefing 

Newly licensed veterinarians must attend the veterinary licensing briefing conducted by AVS within one year of receiving their first Licence to Treat Animals and Birds. Thereafter, veterinarians are required to attend the briefing at least once every five years. Please watch for our email invitation to attend these briefings.

Licensing conditions 

The licence issued is subject to the following conditions. 

• You must comply fully with the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians [PDF, 204KB], and any such amendments that may come into effect. The Code of Ethics aims to assure the public of the quality service standards veterinary surgeons are capable of, and promote co-operation among veterinary industry professionals. 

• You are required to work with an existing veterinary centre in Singapore in the first year after obtaining your licence, in order to gain local experience. 

• You must inform us of any change in residential or practice address within 21 days of the change. 

• You must provide us with prescribed information of all microchip implantations performed on dogs. 

• A full list of the licensing conditions for veterinarians can be found here [PDF, 29KB].  

For enquiries regarding veterinary licensing, please write in here.