EDUCATION

Professional Licensing in Thailand

Veterinary students must pass a basic competency assessment examination in order to be eligible to apply for a license to practise veterinary medicine in Thailand, in accordance with Veterinary Council of Thailand Announcement No. 19/2569 (Veterinary Council website)

The examination is divided into 6 categories comprising 35 criteria in total:

• Category 1: Attributes of a veterinary professional
• Category 2: Laws relevant to the practice of veterinary medicine
• Category 3: Professional knowledge, competence, and clinical skills (Veterinary Bioscience)
• Category 4: Professional knowledge, competence, and clinical skills (Veterinary Clinical Science)
• Category 5: Assessment of clinical skills and procedures
• Category 6: Examination of clinical skills and procedures

This applies to students entering from the 2569 B.E. (2026) academic year onward. Upon passing all six categories and completing their studies, graduates may apply for professional registration as provided by law.

International Accreditation (AVBC) and Registration in Australia/New Zealand

The program is accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the body that oversees veterinary education standards in Australia and New Zealand, with minor deficiencies. (More information about the AVBC)

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand without taking an additional licensing examination. They must, however, comply with the registration conditions of the professional board in the relevant state/country, which may include fitness-to-practise standards, conduct and ethics, disciplinary history, and language proficiency.

Please note: registration in Thailand (through the Veterinary Council) and in Australia/New Zealand (through AVBC accreditation) are two separate processes.

Career Paths for Veterinarians

Veterinarians can pursue a wide range of careers — in the public sector, the private sector, international organizations, and further study. For example:

• Clinical practice — veterinarian at a clinic/animal hospital, a livestock farm, or in large-animal work (cattle, swine, horses, goats, sheep)
• Academia and research — lecturer, researcher, or scientist in a diagnostic laboratory
• Government and public-health agencies — Department of Livestock Development, Department of Fisheries, Department of National Parks, Ministry of Public Health, etc.
• Wildlife and aquatic animals — zoos, conservation centers, breeding/aquaculture farms, aquariums
• International organizations — such as FAO, WOAH, or non-governmental organizations
• Veterinary industry and business — pharmaceutical/medical-supply/animal-feed companies, quality assurance, research and development, or entrepreneurship
• Other specialized roles — veterinary media and communications, or business consulting for clinics/animal hospitals
• Further study — master’s/doctoral degrees, board-certified specialty qualifications, or residency programs