Are you considering becoming a veterinarian but aren’t sure how to start? We’ll cover how to become a vet, your daily responsibilities, and more!
Are you considering a career working with animals? You may be interested in becoming a veterinarian. Vets have the opportunity to work with and treat animals every day.
If you’re passionate about animal wellness, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a vet, from the veterinary school timeline to future considerations. Let’s get started!
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How to Become a Veterinarian: The Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s our simple guide on veterinary education requirements and more to get you started.
Step 1: Decide If Vet School Is Right for You
Before making any decisions, you should ensure becoming a veterinarian is the right path for you. Although a strong passion for animals is required, you must make difficult decisions in the animal’s best interest. For example, if euthanizing an animal would be too hard for you, becoming a vet may be mentally draining.
Working in pet care is a great way to know if veterinary school is a good option for you. Anyone can apply to work at an animal shelter or a private pet care company. There, you can learn how to care for different types of animals and even administer medication.
Step 2: Complete an Undergraduate Degree (With Prerequisite Courses)
Most veterinary schools expect applicants to have completed a bachelor’s degree before applying. The prerequisites for vet school vary but generally are:
Biology/Zoology
Organic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics/Statistics
English Composition
Humanities/Social Sciences
Some schools require additional courses, such as genetics, microbiology, and anatomy. The prerequisite courses for each school vary, so check the requirements for your target schools before applying.
To ensure you’re taking the necessary courses, see if your school offers a pre-veterinary medicine educational track. This program includes prerequisites to ensure you’re prepared for vet school regardless of your major.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Before applying for veterinary school, build your resume with relevant volunteering and job experience. There are many ways to gain experience, including:
Joining a pre-vet club
Volunteering at shelters
Working in pet care
Shadowing vets
Any other experiences that involve working with animals
This is an essential step in the vet school application process. According to the American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges (AAVMC) data report, most applicants logged hundreds of hours working with animals before applying to vet school.
Step 4: Apply to Veterinary Schools
Ensure you check each of your target school’s admission requirements. Most schools require:
A personal statement
Two or more letters of recommendation
Secondary essays
Resume
A Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) application or an application through another service
Note: Each veterinary school has unique requirements, so ensure you check your target school’s admission requirements thoroughly before submitting your application.To maximize your chances of success, you can also explore our vet school admissions support services. You can get tailored guidance throughout the application process!
To get a better idea of your odds of getting into vet school, you can take our vet school admission quiz down below! Get an in-depth look at different factors that go into vet school admissions decisions and how your application measures up.
Step 5: Complete a DVM Degree
Once you’ve been accepted into a veterinary school, it’s time to complete your four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The first two years focus mainly on science courses with labs, while the third year typically focuses on clinical experience. Your final year often includes clinical rotations to give you hands-on experience.
Step 6: Take the NAVLE
The North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) is a multiple-choice exam required for U.S. veterinary licensure. Once you’ve successfully passed the NAVLE, you can practice veterinary medicine. You should give yourself ample time to study for the exam: this is your last crucial step to becoming a vet!
Step 7: Complete Any Additional Steps
Some states have additional requirements to obtain veterinary licensure beyond taking the NAVLE. To ensure you’ve completed all the necessary steps, check your state requirements before applying for positions.
Step 8: Complete a Residency Program (Optional)
Although you’ve completed the necessary veterinary education requirements, you can attend a residency program after completing vet school if you want to specialize. Residency isn’t necessary to begin practicing as a vet, but it can help you obtain positions tailored to your interests with higher pay.
The AVMA currently recognizes 22 veterinary specialty organizations. Between these organizations, there are 46 distinct AVMA-Recognized Veterinary Specialties. The veterinary specialty organizations recognized by the AVMA are he:
Each AVMA-recognized specialty organization contains a directory with excellent specialty programs. When applying for a specialty program, it’s critical to ensure you meet all of the eligibility requirements. For more information on veterinary specialties, take a look at the AVMA’s specialty information page.
Step 9: Begin Your Veterinary Career!
Once you’ve completed all these steps, you’re ready to begin applying for jobs. Ensure you consistently update your CV throughout your veterinary education path so it’s ready when the time comes.
Regularly updating your CV through these steps also ensures you don’t accidentally omit important experiences or information.
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Steps to Becoming a Zoo Vet
Let’s discuss the necessary steps to becoming a zoo vet. Each of the steps listed below is a mandatory part of the educational process unless otherwise specified. Let’s get started!
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Once you’ve graduated high school, the first step to becoming a zoo vet is to complete undergraduate studies in pre-veterinary medicine or a related field. Your major isn’t very important as long as you can complete all of the necessary prerequisite courses for vet school, such as biology, anatomy, and animal science.
2. Build Up Your Vet School Application Materials
When it comes time to get into your dream DVM program, you’ll have to start early to ensure you can give your application its best shot at success. Make sure you have met the necessary requirements for each of your target schools ahead of time. You should also build up your CV with plenty of valuable volunteer experience and extracurriculars.
You can also take this time to work on your personal statement, acquire valuable letters of recommendation, and even work in pet care or do some shadowing. The more time you can give yourself to acquire these documents and experiences, the better.
3. Earn a DVM Degree
After completing your undergraduate studies, the next step is to complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. DVM programs are typically four years in length, with the first two years focusing mainly on science courses with labs.
Your third year will mainly focus on clinical experience, and the final year of your DVM program will most likely include clinical rotations to give you hands-on experience. Make sure to choose an accredited school that suits all of your needs in terms of reputation, cost, and location.
To achieve this step and get into a top vet school, consider working with one of our admissions experts! They offer comprehensive application support and know the ins and outs of the admissions process.
4. Take the NAVLE
In order to legally practice as a veterinarian in the United States and Canada, you’ll have to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). This multiple-choice exam has been given by the ICVA since 2000, and is a requirement for licensure for veterinarians across all specialties.
5. Complete a Residency Program
Once you have graduated from your DVM program, it is recommended to complete an internship (typically one to two years in length) in general veterinary medicine, followed by a residency in zoological medicine. However, if you are completely certain that you want to pursue zoological medicine, you can complete an internship in the specialty as well.
Residency programs in zoological medicine typically take three to four years to complete. You should make sure to choose a program that is accredited by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). Residency is a necessary step for a career in zoo medicine.
6. Obtain Board Certification
To become a board-certified zoo veterinarian, one must pass the certification exam offered by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). The ACZM is the main certifying organization for zoo veterinarians in the United States. Certification is not always mandatory, but it is strongly recommended as a final step.
7. Get to Work!
Once you’ve completed your residency, you’re ready to start looking for jobs! You may be able to get a position right away, but it may help to begin by building up your resume a bit more first.
You can do so by working in a zoo, wildlife park, or sanctuary or through research and conservation projects, which helps to build a strong resume and increase chances of getting hired as a zoo veterinarian. Getting a job at your ideal place of work may also help you to move into a higher up position as it becomes available; work can be challenging to find immediately.
It's important to note that the path to becoming a zoo veterinarian is a long and challenging one, but with dedication and hard work, it is possible to achieve this goal and make a positive impact on the health and welfare of exotic animals everywhere!
What Does a Zoo Veterinarian Do?
A zoo vet is a veterinarian who specializes in the field of zoological medicine. Zoo vets work to diagnose and treat ailments on a number of exotic animal species. They also regularly work to provide preventative care by performing routine physical exams, administering medications and vaccinations, and more.
Zoo Veterinarian Salary & Career Outlook
The median zoo veterinarian salary in the US is $87,725, according to the most recent job report statistics gathered from Indeed. The lower end of the pay scale reported salaries of around $68,864 while the highest salaries topped out at $111,753. These numbers varied depending on factors such as location, education, position, and years of experience.
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How Much Does It Cost to Become a Veterinarian?
The cost of becoming a veterinarian varies greatly depending on several factors. For example, vet school tuition in the U.S. can cost anywhere from approximately $19,500 to $65,000 annually, depending on the school, your state of residence, and what year you’re in. Many schools cost less in the first year and gradually raise tuition throughout your degree.
Aside from tuition, other costs to consider when creating your budget for vet school include:
The cost of living in your area
Transportation
Application fees
Textbooks
Out-of-state fees (if you’re traveling for school)
Remember to consider these additional costs when determining the final cost of your vet school experience. In four years, most veterinary students spend over $200,000 for a DVM on average.
However, most students don’t pay for their entire degree out of pocket. Financial aid is available through the government and schools. There are also plenty of scholarship opportunities for future vet students on the AAVMC website.
What is a veterinarian? In short, they’re the doctors of the animal world. They prevent, diagnose, and treat animals while advising their clients on proper care for their pets. With veterinary training, you can work in various settings, such as:
Animal clinics
Farms
Laboratories
Government
Other industries
The daily duties of a veterinarian generally consist of:
Morning physical exams of each overnight animal (taking vitals, checking for abnormalities)
Reviewing lab analysis of bloodwork
Diagnosing illnesses and creating treatment plans
Obtaining patient histories from clients
Preparing animals for surgery
Performing surgeries (mostly in the morning to allow animals to recover throughout the day)
Seeing new patients
Prescribing medication, therapy, or other treatments
Requesting tests (x-rays, lab work, etc.)
Sending emergency patients to an emergency animal hospital
Discharging patients in recovery
As a future veterinarian, you should know there are many exciting yet disheartening aspects of your future career. While veterinarians experience the positives of animal care, plenty of challenges are involved in dealing with animals in stressful situations.
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Considering the typical length of schooling, it takes 8 years to become a veterinarian. However, depending on the school you attend, specializations, and internships or residencies, becoming a vet may take nine years or longer.
Normally, students will attend an undergraduate institution for four years and then a veterinary school for an additional four years. However, some specializations can take up to six additional years to complete adequate schooling.
Once you complete your degree, you’ll then need to begin your career by finding a job. There are many possible career paths for vets, from private practice to food supply medicine and everything in between.
Here’s an overview of some career paths where you can apply your DVM.
Career Path
Description
Private Practice
You can own and run your own vet clinic, or you can work for one that’s privately owned. You can practice general veterinary medicine or a specialty.
Corporate Veterinary Medicine
You can work for corporations that provide veterinary care to produce animal products or test human drugs.
The Federal Government
The federal government employs vets through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The U.S. Army Corps or U.S. Air Force
You can work in areas such as food safety or providing care to military working dogs.
Research
Research can be done in multiple settings, such as a university, lab, corporation, or company.
Teaching
You can choose to teach in academia or non-professional schools.
Public Health
You can work with government agencies like the United State Public Health Service, which focuses on controlling the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Food Supply Medicine
You can work with the government or a food company.
Global Veterinary Medicine
Working in this path allows you to work in private practice or with international agencies.
Public Policy
You can work for governments and focus on animal welfare, disease control, or public health issues.
Shelter Medicine
You can work at a shelter to improve the health of animal populations in shelter care.
How much you earn annually as a veterinarian can vary based on numerous factors. Location, job setting, and specialty can impact your annual salary. The best-paid states for veterinarians are Hawaii, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia - all of which pay a mean annual salary of over $135,000.
The highest-paid veterinary positions often require special training of three years after vet school.
Other Considerations for Future Vets
Let’s go over some further aspects of life as a veterinarian to consider before making your final decision.
Becoming a Vet Takes Time
Without specializing, it typically takes eight years of post-secondary education to become a veterinarian in the U.S. The first four years are spent earning a bachelor’s degree, while the other four are spent completing vet school and obtaining your license.
If you choose to specialize, you may add up to three more years of education to your training time. For example, becoming a specialist in veterinary surgery may take up to eleven years of education.
Passion and Commitment Are Key
Veterinary school is competitive, and the jobs are challenging. If you want to become a veterinarian, you’ll be up against applicants who are extremely committed to animal healthcare.
To show your passion and to ensure that a veterinary career is right for you, you should log plenty of volunteer hours. Shelters and foster programs are always looking for volunteer workers. If you can log over a hundred hours of animal-related volunteerism, it gives your application a competitive edge.
Vet Life is Not Always Glamorous
As you may know, working with animals is not always petting kittens and puppies. Vets must remain professional, get their hands dirty, and deal with potentially temperamental animals. Your passion for animal care should extend far beyond the ones that are easy to handle.
Veterinary life is challenging yet rewarding and can be emotionally draining. Volunteering and owning your own animals can give you a good idea of the good and not-so-glamorous aspects of animal care.
FAQs:
Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a veterinarian in the U.S.
1. What Is a Veterinarian?
A veterinarian is a doctor of animal medicine. Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and care for different types of animals.
Veterinarians practice medicine on animals. To do so, they spend many years studying veterinary medicine. Although veterinarians are doctors of veterinary medicine, they don’t attend medical school and aren’t qualified to treat humans.
4. Does Veterinary School Have Prerequisite Courses?
Yes, most veterinary schools require prerequisite courses or comprehension in certain subjects. Typical prerequisite courses for vet school are Biology/Zoology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Statistics, and others.
5. When Should I Start Preparing for Veterinary School?
Assuming you have completed a bachelor’s degree or are on track to do so, you should begin preparing for vet school at least two years before you intend to apply. This will give you time to prepare your CV, take prerequisite courses, acquire letters of recommendation, and complete all application components.
6. What Education Is Required to Become a Veterinarian?
Veterinary education requirements include graduating from college and completing vet school to earn your DVM. While not required, you can also pursue a residency to learn more about a particular specialty.
7. Is Becoming a Vet Worth It?
Becoming a vet is worth it if you’re passionate about working with animals and love science. However, you’re the only person who can decide if becoming a vet would be worth it: you must also consider the time commitment, how much school becoming a vet requires, and other factors.
8. Is Being a Zoo Vet Hard?
Being a zoo veterinarian is a demanding career that requires you to constantly learn and evolve your practice. You have to be familiar with the systems and ailments of many different species, which some might argue is more complicated than your average veterinarian.
Additionally, the field of zoological medicine is known to be competitive and challenging to break into. Jobs are limited and sought after by highly qualified candidates, so you may have to travel to find work.
9. How Long Does it Take to Become a Zoo Vet?
In total, becoming a zoo vet typically takes about 8-10 years of education and training. This includes earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, completing a one to two year internship, and completing a three to four year residency in zoological medicine.
After completing the education and training requirements, candidates must pass a certification exam in order to become a board-certified zoological veterinarian.
10. How Many Hours Does a Zoo Vet Work?
The working hours for a zoo veterinarian can vary greatly depending on your specific role, work environment, and employer. Zoo veterinarians perform regular check-ups and tasks that can easily be scheduled into a full-time work week. However, if you are working on call as a zoo vet, you may be required to head to work for emergency situations outside of regular hours.
In general, zoo veterinarians may work long hours, including evenings and weekends, and are often on call for emergencies. They may also be required to work outside in various weather conditions and may be called to work on short notice.
11. How Much Do Zoo Vets Make?
The median salary for zoo vets in the US is $87,725, according to recent salary reports.
12. Where Do Zoo Vets Get Paid the Most?
California is reported to be the highest paying state for zoo vets in the US according to recent data gathered by Indeed. Other sources specifically name San Francisco as the highest paying city in California for zoo vets, with some salaries averaging a yearly income of over $124,000.
Final Thoughts
Working as a veterinarian isn’t easy, but it can be gratifying. Your passion for animal care should be a driving force, and you should be able to handle pressure and emotional situations.
Keep in mind the cost and time it takes to become a vet. Ensure you budget and plan so you can enjoy your time learning in school without added pressures. If you’re having trouble with the application process, consider seeking assistance from a professional admissions consultant.
Now that you know how to become a veterinarian, we wish you luck on your journey!
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