Job opportunities for qualified veterinarians are available throughout Israel, though competition for open positions can be stiff. Most veterinarians in Israel are employed under government auspices or are self-employed in private practice.

One of the main employers is the Kimron Veterinary Institute at Beit Dagan, the diagnostic and research arm of the Misrad Hachakla’ut (Ministry of Agriculture) Veterinary Services and Animal Health Unit.

As with physicians, salaries and working conditions vary according to the institution, geographic location and nature of the work.

Licensing Procedure

The licensing process contains 2 steps:
1. A temporary license – One can request a temporary license at a cost of 119 NIS, after submitting your documents and before you have taken the exam.

Here is a list of documents to submit:

  • A full and accurate questionnaire. See here, Appendix 1, pages 7-11.
  • Certificate of Graduation (Diploma) in Veterinary Medicine (copies/photos must be confirmed by a Notary Public or Lawyer).
  • If the above Certificate is not in the Hebrew, Arabic or English language a translation into Hebrew, certified by a Notary Public, must be attached.
  • Photocopy of an Israeli Identity Card (anyone who is not a citizen or a permanent resident in Israel will not be able to receive a permanent license to practice Veterinary Medicine in Israel).
  • One passport picture.
  • A consent form for information from Israeli Police (Lack of criminal record). See here, Appendix 2, page 12.
  • A Consent form for the provision of information by the Academic Institution. See here, Appendix 3, page 13.
  • Information on entries and exits to Israel. Can be issued here.
  • Confirmation of payment for a license fee. see here.

All the documents should be sent to:

  • The licensing committee secretary (Ms. Sivan Kolelter)
    The Veterinary services
    Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development
    P.O Box 12, Beit Dagan, 5025001
    Phone number: 03-9681626
    Email: [email protected]

The temporary license allows you to work while preparing for the licensing exam. It is valid for 6 months only and can be renewed up to 4 times (totally of 30 months).

2. A licensing exam.

In order to receive a permanent license to practice in Israel, veterinarians who receive their training abroad must pass an exam in Hebrew. The exam is organized through the Hebrew University’s Koret School of Veterinary Medicine. It is held twice a year, in December and July.

Your documents will be reviewed and you will be issued with an approval for the licensing exam. For more information about submitting your documentation and registry for the exam, please speak to Sivan (her contact info can be found above).

When you go to submit your documentation at Bet Dagan, be sure to visit the Bet Dagan library on the same premises and purchase the material for the licensing exam. You must purchase a book (cost: 60 NIS) which includes 700 exam questions; you also should receive a full listing of diseases that you must know for the exam. The cost of the exam is 400 NIS. Here you can find some more infomation (Hebrew only) about the exam itself.

Though there are English translations on the site, they are not up-to-date, and we recommend that you study only from the Hebrew language version of the material. If you’d like to speak to Olim who have already taken this exam, write to [email protected].

Important Note: The licensing exam is currently under review, and it is possible that the exam and licensing procedure will be changing in the near future.

The cost of a veterinary license is 500 NIS.

Please note: Misrad Haklita offers a reimbursement for Olim who took the governmental licensing exam for veterinarians. Your eligibility lasts for 10 years from your date of Aliyah. The reimbursement is ONLY given retroactively and will be paid back ONLY after submitting the receipt for your exam to your local Misrad Haklita office.
Please note: if you didn’t participate in a Misrad Haklita preparation course for the governmental licensing exam, you may be entitled to a reimbursement for 2 exams (if needed).

Preparatory Course for the Exam

A preparatory course for the licensing exam may be held at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine. The course will only open if there are a sufficient number of candidates. Successful completion of a Hebrew proficiency exam is a necessary prerequisite for acceptance to the course.

The course lasts for 7 months and is 5 times a week from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm. The course is subsidized by Misrad Haklita and is free of charge for new Olim. A small living stipend may be available through Misrad Haklita to Olim for the duration of the course.

Other Resources

Last update: December 8th, 2020.

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