Veterinarians License in West Virginia

West Virginia requires a DVM degree from an AVMA-accredited school and passage of the NAVLE for veterinary licensure. The West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine oversees the profession. West Virginia has no in-state veterinary school; residents commonly attend the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, The Ohio State University, or other regional programs. West Virginia's mountainous terrain and predominantly rural character create strong demand for mixed-practice and large-animal veterinarians, though the state faces chronic veterinary workforce shortages, particularly in the southern coalfield counties and the eastern panhandle. The state's agricultural economy includes beef cattle, poultry (particularly in the Potomac Highlands), and sheep farming. West Virginia's equine industry, centered around trail riding and the state's extensive trail systems, supports some equine practice. The state's Appalachian communities face challenges with both companion-animal and livestock veterinary access, and the relatively lower compensation compared to neighboring states contributes to recruitment difficulties. The WVU Extension Service collaborates on livestock health programs.