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Step 1: Is this for me?
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Step 2: Pre-Veterinary Medical Education
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Step 3: Veterinary Medical School & Veterinary Educational Assessment
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Step 4: Licensure Exam & Licensure
Step 1: Is this for me?
Some say that veterinarians are not made, they are born. Indeed, most veterinarians have a special love for animals that begins in childhood. You'll need to have a love for animals and a passion for their health and welfare. You should also have a knack for science and an interest in helping them heal.
Step 2: Pre-Veterinary Medical Education
You'll start your veterinary medicine education in an undergraduate program. These pre-vet medicine programs will systematically move you through your core curriculum so you learn everything you need in your major field. You should be aware, however, that your courses might or might not meet the requirements for your desired Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Thus, you should pre-plan for this by determining your ideal veterinary school and the specialty area(s) that interest you.
During your studies, you might take courses covering:
- Animal Breeding
- Organic Chemistry
- Organismal Biology
- Animal Feeding and Nutrition
- Pertinent, Prescribed Electives
Keep in mind that Organic Chemistry is a course that is notorious for causing trouble for medical and veterinary students alike. If you can get a head start on the material, you should do so. You might also find a group of fellow pre-vets and form a study group to tackle Organic Chemistry and other courses.
Step 3: Vet Medical School & Vet Educational Assessment
Now you're on your way to becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. When you choose a DVM program, you will want to investigate their courses and specialty courses. These will determine much of your career. You should also check out what percent of their graduates are able to pass their NAVLE examinations. The school you choose should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education (COE).
Your DVM program will likely take up to four years to complete and the curriculum is bound to be fairly restricted to the courses you need. A few courses you might be required to take include:
- Large Animal Medicine
- Practice Management
- Gross Anatomy
- Immunology
- Veterinary Virology
- Principles of Surgery
After your second year, your program might ask that you take the Veterinary Educational Assessment (VEA). This test codifies your general medical knowledge and is a checkpoint that covers science and pre-clinical subjects such as:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
In your fourth year, you will be able to investigate specialty areas. You might take specialty courses such as:
- Clinical Cardiology
- Pet Practice
- Equine Dentistry
- Wildlife Safari
- Ornamental Fish Medicine
Step 4: Licensure Exam & Licensure
Examinations are a huge part of most any professional path that requires state or federal licensure. To become a licensed veterinarian, you must pass the NAVLE exam. This test contains 300 items. 280 of the items are divided equally between Data Gathering and Interpretation, and Health Maintenance and Problem Management. Specific test areas include:
- Recording Pertinent Information – 11 items
- Differential Diagnosis List – 47 items
- Implement Plan of Action – 47 items
- Assess Outcome – 29 items
- Professional Behavior, Communication, and Practice Management – 20 items
The NAVLE is offered at two times per year, in spring and autumn. The testing windows are narrow, so make sure to schedule well for this extremely important part of your veterinary career.
Once you pass the NAVLE examination, and submitted your scores to the state board, you will need to make sure that you satisfy all of your state's specific requirements. Some states might ask that you take an ethics exam. Other states require four hours of HIV/AIDS training. You will also need to submit your transcripts, and possibly include a letter of recommendation.
Veterinarian Career & Salary
Where Might You Work?
Veterinarians can work in a wide range of environments. You could have your own clinic that you manage as the head veterinarian. You could also join a veterinary practice as a partner. Other vets work in diagnostic laboratories, research labs, or cattle ranches.
In fact, the USDA hires veterinarians more than any other single employer. USDA veterinarians are hard at work protecting the human population from animal diseases. For instance, veterinarians were instrumental in shielding the human population from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, otherwise known as Mad Cow Disease. You can also work in the armed forces; the Army and Air Force both own animals that serve the nation in various capacities.