What degrees you need to become a veterinarian

To become a licensed veterinarian in the United States, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary school, plus a passing score on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Before you can enter veterinary school, you must complete a four-year undergraduate degree with specific prerequisite courses. After graduation, you must pass state licensing exams to practice.

The path takes a minimum of eight years after high school: four years for your bachelor's degree and four years for your DVM. Many students take longer because veterinary schools are competitive and require strong grades and test scores in your prerequisites.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a four-year bachelor's degree with specific science courses (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and mathematics) before you can explore to veterinary school.
  • The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary school takes four years to complete and is required to practice as a veterinarian.
  • You must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and your state's veterinary board exam to receive a license.
  • Veterinary schools are highly selective and typically require a GPA of 3.5 or higher, strong performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and documented animal experience.

Your undergraduate degree and prerequisite courses

Your bachelor's degree can be in any major, but you must complete specific prerequisite courses that veterinary schools require. These courses include general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and mathematics (usually through calculus). Most students complete these courses within a biology, chemistry, or animal science major because the coursework overlaps.

Veterinary schools look at your overall GPA and your science GPA separately. Your science GPA—calculated from biology, chemistry, and other science courses—is often weighted more heavily than your overall GPA. Most successful applicants have a science GPA of 3.5 or higher, though some schools have different thresholds.

You should also gain documented experience working with animals during your undergraduate years. This might include veterinary clinic work, animal shelter volunteering, farm experience, or research positions. Schools want to see that you understand what veterinary medicine actually involves and that you have spent time around animals in a professional or semi-professional setting.

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree

The DVM is a professional doctorate that takes four years to complete at an accredited veterinary school. During the first two years, you study anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and other foundational sciences. The second two years focus on clinical practice—you work with real animals under supervision, rotating through different specialties like surgery, internal medicine, and dentistry.

Veterinary schools in the United States are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are currently 34 AVMA-accredited schools in the United States, plus several in Canada and other countries. Admission is competitive; schools typically receive thousands of applications for a few hundred spots.

The DVM curriculum is standardized across accredited schools, so the degree you earn from any AVMA-accredited program carries the same weight. However, schools may emphasize different areas—some focus on large animal medicine, others on small animal practice, and some on research or public health.

Entrance requirements for veterinary school

Before you explore to veterinary school, you must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Most schools require a GRE score, though a few have made it optional. There is no single cutoff score, but competitive applicants typically score in the 50th percentile or higher on the quantitative and verbal sections combined.

You will also need to submit transcripts showing your prerequisite courses and your overall academic record. Schools use an online process system called the Veterinary Medical College process Service (VMCAS), which allows you to submit one process to multiple schools at once. Each school then reviews your materials and decides whether to invite you for an interview.

Most schools interview candidates before making an admission decision. The interview assesses your communication skills, your understanding of the profession, and your motivation for becoming a veterinarian. Schools also consider your animal experience, volunteer work, and any research or clinical experience you have gained.

Licensing and state board exams

After you graduate from veterinary school with your DVM, you must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to become licensed. The NAVLE is a computer-based exam administered by the North American Veterinary Medical Education Comity (NAVMEC) and covers the full scope of veterinary medicine.

In addition to the NAVLE, most states require you to pass a state-specific veterinary board exam that covers state laws and regulations. Some states have their own exam; others accept the NAVLE score alone. You must check your state's veterinary board website to learn what exams are required in your state.

Once you pass these exams and meet your state's other requirements (which may include a background check or proof of good moral character), you receive your veterinary license. This license allows you to practice veterinary medicine in that state. If you move to another state, you may need to take that state's exam or explore for reciprocal licensure, depending on the state's rules.

Specialization and advanced degrees

After earning your DVM and becoming licensed, you can pursue additional training in a specialty area. Specialties include surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, cardiology, dentistry, and many others. To become a board-certified specialist, you typically complete a residency program (two to four years) and then pass a specialty board exam.

Some veterinarians pursue a master's degree or PhD in areas like veterinary public health, epidemiology, or research. These advanced degrees are not required to practice as a veterinarian but open doors to careers in research, government, or academia. A master's typically takes two years; a PhD takes four to six years.

Timeline and realistic expectations

The minimum time to become a licensed veterinarian is eight years after high school: four years for your bachelor's degree and four years for your DVM. However, most students take longer because they spend time building their process—taking prerequisite courses, gaining animal experience, and sometimes retaking the GRE to improve their score.

Many students also take a gap year or two between their bachelor's degree and veterinary school to strengthen their process, gain more experience, or save money for tuition. Veterinary school is expensive; tuition and fees at private schools can exceed $200,000 over four years, and even at public schools the total cost is substantial. Planning for this expense is part of the realistic path to becoming a veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to major in biology or animal science to become a veterinarian?

No. You can major in any subject as long as you complete the required prerequisite courses (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and mathematics). Many successful veterinary students major in chemistry, physics, or even unrelated fields. What matters is that you finish the prerequisites with strong grades.

Can I get into veterinary school without animal experience?

It is very difficult. Veterinary schools want to see that you have worked with animals in a professional or semi-professional setting. This might be veterinary clinic work, farm experience, animal shelter volunteering, or research with animals. Schools use this experience to confirm that you understand what the job involves.

How many times can I explore to veterinary school if I am rejected?

You can explore as many times as you want, but schools look at your entire process history. If you reapply, you should strengthen your process by improving your GPA or GRE score, gaining more animal experience, or addressing weaknesses from your previous process. Many successful applicants explore two or three times before being admitted.

Is a DVM from a Canadian or international veterinary school recognized in the United States?

A DVM from a Canadian school accredited by the AVMA is recognized in the United States. International degrees are more complicated; you may need to complete additional exams or a clinical year at a U.S. school. Contact your state's veterinary board for specific requirements if you have an international degree.

What if I do not pass the NAVLE on my first attempt?

You can retake the NAVLE. Most states allow you to retake it multiple times, though some have limits on how many times you can sit for the exam in a given year. Your state veterinary board sets the rules for retakes. Failing the NAVLE delays your licensure but does not prevent you from becoming a veterinarian.