California veterinary medicine CE courses

Curated courses matched to California’s veterinarians renewal mandates — with prices, accreditation, and format. Plain listings, no affiliate markup.

36CE hours every 2 yearsBoard-verified 10-06-2026

Renewal: Two-year renewal cycle; first renewal after initial licensure is exempt.

Source: California Veterinary Medical Board

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Mandated topics

TopicHoursFrequencyWho
Judicious use of medically important antimicrobials (recurring — every 4 years; within the 36; not additive)1 hoursEvery 2 yearsAll veterinarians

Judicious use of medically important antimicrobials (recurring — every 4 years; within the 36; not additive) (1 hours, every 2 years)

VetCE on Demand: No Pain is All Gain in Dentistry

VetMedTeam · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved, program #1322251; Medical category; non-interactive distance)

Note: One-hour on-demand RACE course on multimodal pain management for dental patients — opioids, NSAIDs, and regional anesthesia. Quiz plus survey; certificate issued immediately.

Veterinary Nursing: Canine and Feline Food Hypersensitivity

VetMedTeam · 9h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (9 RACE hours; Medical category; interactive distance; program #773465)

Note: Nine-week interactive RACE course on adverse food reactions in dogs and cats — diagnosis, diet trials, and long-term management. Counts toward scientific/medical hours in most states.

General electives

Fill your remaining hours with these board-accepted courses.

VetCE on Demand: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Companion Animal Medicine

VetMedTeam · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved; Medical category)

$15.00VetCE On Demand series pricingView course →

Note: One-hour RACE course on judicious antibiotic use — directly relevant if your state requires antimicrobial stewardship CE. Find it in VetMedTeam's on-demand catalog.

VetCE on Demand: Analgesia — Opioids and their Alternatives

VetMedTeam · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved; Medical category)

$15.00VetCE On Demand series pricingView course →

Note: One-hour RACE course on opioid analgesia and alternatives — useful where states require opioid or controlled-substance CE.

Controlled Drugs: Recordkeeping and Diversion Prevention in Veterinary Medicine

VetMedTeam · 2h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved)

$15.00self-study CE pricingView course →

Note: Two-hour RACE course on controlled-substance recordkeeping and diversion prevention — fits states with CDS-law or opioid-education mandates.

VetCE On Demand: The A to Z of Pharmacology

VetMedTeam · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved; Medical category)

$15.00VetCE On Demand series pricingView course →

Note: One-hour RACE pharmacology refresher — drug classifications, actions, and memory aids. Good fit for states with a pharmacy or controlled-substance hour.

VetCE On Demand: Toxicology 101

VetMedTeam · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved; Medical category)

$15.00VetCE On Demand series pricingView course →

Note: One-hour RACE toxicology overview — a quick scientific/medical hour from a long-established CE provider.

VetCE On Demand: The Physiology and Pharmacology of Euthanasia

VetMedTeam · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved)

$15.00VetCE On Demand series pricingView course →

Note: One-hour RACE course on euthanasia pharmacology and physiology.

VetCE On Demand: Are You Keeping Score? The Importance of Pain Scoring Systems

VetMedTeam · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved)

$15.00VetCE On Demand series pricingView course →

Note: One-hour RACE course on pain scoring systems for dogs and cats.

Complete renewal bundles

One purchase covering your full 36-hour renewal — usually cheaper than buying courses individually.

VETgirl ELITE Annual SubscriptionBundle

VETgirl · 100h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved; 100+ hours of CE per year for veterinarians and technicians)

$249.00per yearView course →

Note: 100+ hours of RACE-approved podcasts and webinars per year from board-certified specialists — built for clinicians who learn on the go. Free sample podcasts at this link; ELITE signup on VETgirl's site.

Free options

Accredited free courses. Note: free options rarely cover state-specific mandates — verify each mandate is satisfied.

Unleash Your Inner ER Hero (Urgent Care Program)Free

Vet Candy · 3.5h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved; free with Vet Candy membership)

Note: Free 3.5-hour RACE program on urgent-care topics — triage, CPR, and emergency case management across eight modules. Watch, pass the quiz, and the certificate generates immediately.

Vet Candy CE On Demand LibraryFree

Vet Candy · 1h · self-paced · RACE (AAVSB) (RACE-approved; free with Vet Candy membership)

Freeall courses freeView course →

Note: Free RACE-approved CE library — one-hour courses on dermatology, pain, nutrition, and more, taught by specialists. Free membership; certificates generate on quiz completion.

Frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do California veterinarians need?

California veterinarians need 36 CE hours every 2 years.

What are the mandatory CE topics for California veterinarians renewal?

Each renewal cycle requires: Judicious use of medically important antimicrobials (recurring — every 4 years; within the 36; not additive) (1 hours). See the mandated topics table above for the full list.

When is the California renewal deadline?

Two-year renewal cycle; first renewal after initial licensure is exempt.

Are RACE-approved courses accepted in California?

Yes. California accepts continuing education approved through the AAVSB Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE), which is recognized by nearly all state veterinary boards. Watch California's limits on non-scientific, practice-management, and online hours — not every RACE hour fits every category.

Disclaimer: CECourse is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any course provider listed on this page. We do not control provider pricing, course availability, content, accreditation status, or board reporting — all of which may change without notice. Course listings are curated for convenience and were last verified on 10-06-2026. Requirements change — always verify current mandates with the California Veterinary Medical Board. CECourse does not guarantee that any listed course satisfies your specific renewal requirements.

Other states

California veterinarians license requirements →