The total path is 8 years of school after high school
To become a licensed veterinarian in the United States, you need four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of veterinary school. That is 8 years total after you finish high school. Some people take longer because they work part-time, change majors, or repeat courses, but the standard timeline is 8 years of full-time study.
The first four years are a bachelor's degree at any university. You do not have to major in biology or chemistry, but you will need to complete specific prerequisite courses that veterinary schools require — usually biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. The second four years are Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at an accredited veterinary school. After you graduate from veterinary school, you take a licensing exam called the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) before you can practice.
Key Takeaways
- Veterinary school requires four years of study after completing a four-year bachelor's degree, for a total of 8 years of school after high school.
- Your undergraduate degree can be in any major, but you must complete specific prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry.
- Veterinary schools are competitive and typically require a minimum GPA, scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and documented animal experience.
- After graduating from veterinary school, you must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to become licensed to practice.
- Some veterinarians pursue additional specialty training after their DVM, which adds 2 to 5 more years depending on the specialty.
What you study in your four-year undergraduate degree
Your bachelor's degree does not have to focus on a single subject. Many students major in biology, chemistry, or animal science, but others major in business, English, or completely unrelated fields — as long as you complete the prerequisite courses veterinary schools require. Those prerequisites are the same across most schools: general biology with lab, general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, and biochemistry.
Beyond prerequisites, you should take additional science courses that will prepare you for veterinary school material. Microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and genetics are common choices. You will also need to document animal experience — this means working with animals in a paid or volunteer role. Veterinary clinics, animal shelters, farms, zoos, and wildlife rehabilitation centers all count. Most schools want to see at least a few hundred hours of documented animal experience before you explore to veterinary school.
How veterinary school admissions work
Veterinary schools are selective. To be considered, you typically need a minimum undergraduate GPA (often 3.0 or higher, though competitive applicants usually have 3.5 or above), completion of all prerequisite courses, and a score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). You will also need letters of recommendation from professors or veterinarians who know your work, and you will write personal statements explaining why you want to become a veterinarian.
The number of veterinary schools in the United States is limited — there are 34 accredited DVM programs. Because demand is high and spots are limited, admission is competitive. Some schools are harder to enter than others, and some have preferences for in-state applicants. You can explore to multiple schools, and most people explore to several to increase their chances of acceptance.
What you study in veterinary school
The four years of veterinary school are divided into classroom study and hands-on clinical work. The first two years focus on foundational sciences: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and microbiology as they explore to animals. You learn how different animal bodies work, how diseases develop, and how medications treat them. You also learn about different species — dogs, cats, horses, cattle, birds, and exotic animals.
The second two years shift toward clinical practice. You work in veterinary clinics and hospitals under supervision, performing examinations, assisting in surgeries, taking X-rays, and learning to diagnose and treat real patients. By the time you graduate, you have hands-on experience with the work you will do as a practicing veterinarian.
The licensing exam and what comes after
After you graduate from veterinary school with your DVM degree, you cannot legally practice until you pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). This is a computer-based exam that tests your knowledge of veterinary medicine, surgery, pharmacology, and animal health. You typically take it within a few months of graduation. Most graduates pass on their first attempt, but if you do not, you can retake it.
Once you pass the NAVLE and obtain your license, you are a licensed veterinarian and can work in private practice, research, government agencies, or other settings. Some veterinarians stop here. Others pursue additional training called a residency in a specialty — such as surgery, dentistry, dermatology, or emergency medicine. A residency typically takes 2 to 5 years depending on the specialty, and after that you can become board-certified in that specialty.
Why the timeline varies for some students
While 8 years is the standard timeline, some students take longer. If you do not complete all prerequisite courses in your first four years, you may need an extra semester or year to finish them before veterinary school will consider your process. Some students work part-time while studying, which extends their timeline. Others change majors or repeat courses, which also adds time.
A small number of students attend veterinary school part-time, which stretches the four years into five or six, though this is rare. If you are considering a longer timeline, talk to the veterinary schools you are interested in about their policies on part-time study and how they handle prerequisite completion.
International veterinary degrees and U.S. licensure
If you earned your veterinary degree outside the United States, the path to U.S. licensure is different and often longer. You will need to pass additional exams and may need to complete a clinical year or additional training in the United States before you can be licensed. The exact requirements depend on which country your degree is from and which state you want to practice in.
Contact the veterinary licensing board in your state for specific information about foreign-trained veterinarians. Some states have reciprocal agreements with certain countries, while others require more extensive additional training. Planning ahead if you earned your degree internationally will help you understand what steps you need to take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a veterinarian in less than 8 years?
No. The minimum is four years for a bachelor's degree plus four years for veterinary school. Some students complete their bachelor's degree in three years by taking extra courses, but veterinary school is always four years. The total cannot be shortened below 8 years.
Do I have to major in biology to get into veterinary school?
No. You can major in any subject as long as you complete the required prerequisite courses — biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. Many successful veterinary school applicants majored in fields completely unrelated to science.
What if I do not get into veterinary school on my first try?
Many people explore multiple times before being accepted. You can strengthen your process by retaking the GRE, getting more animal experience, improving your GPA through additional coursework, or explore to different schools. Some people work in veterinary clinics or animal-related jobs for a year or two before reapplying.
How much does veterinary school cost?
Tuition varies widely depending on whether the school is public or private and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. Public veterinary schools typically cost less than private schools. Contact individual schools for their current tuition rates, as costs change year to year.
Can I work while going to veterinary school?
Most veterinary schools do not recommend working during the program because the coursework and clinical requirements are demanding. Some students work part-time during the first year or two, but full-time work during veterinary school is generally not feasible. Plan your finances accordingly before you enroll.