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Sector licencesAgricultureNigeria

Register to practise veterinary medicine / open a clinic (VCN)

Practise as a veterinary surgeon and operate a veterinary clinic under the Veterinary Surgeons Act: DVM from an accredited faculty → one-year internship → VCN licensing examination and registration → annual practising licence → VCN accreditation of the clinic premises.

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
4agencies
Category
Sector licencesAgriculture
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

Apply onlineOpen the Accredited Faculty of Veterinary Medicine application serviceAccredited Faculty of Veterinary Medicine · portal.vcn.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Accredited Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN)VCN-approved veterinary hospital/clinicVCNVCN; CAC
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Obtain an accredited veterinary degree

    Agency
    Accredited Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN)
    What is required
    Earn a DVM/BVM degree from a VCN-accredited faculty. The Council determines the standards of knowledge and skill required for registration under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (Cap V3, LFN 2004, as amended).
    Documents
    DVM/BVM degree from an accredited faculty
    Typical timeline
    Years
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Complete the one-year internship

    Agency
    VCN-approved veterinary hospital/clinic
    What is required
    Complete a one-year internship in an approved veterinary hospital or clinic (alongside NYSC where applicable).
    Documents
    Internship placement and completion letter
    Typical timeline
    1 year
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Pass the VCN licensing examination and register

    Agency
    VCN
    What is required
    Sit and pass the VCN licensing examination, then register on the Register of Veterinary Surgeons. All practising veterinarians must be registered and hold a current annual practising licence.
    Documents
    Licensing exam; registration; annual practising licence
    Typical timeline
    Exam cycle
    Use for this step
  4. 04

    Register and accredit the clinic

    Agency
    VCN; CAC
    What is required
    A veterinary clinic or animal hospital must be registered with the CAC and accredited by the VCN: proof of VCN registration for every practising vet, and compliance with VCN standards for facilities, equipment and hygiene.
    Documents
    CIC; VCN clinic accreditation; facility standards
    Typical timeline
    On inspection
    Use for this step
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