Careers
Small Animal Veterinarian
What is a small animal veterinarian?
What level of school is required to obtain this career?
After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from an accredited veterinary school, veterinarians must obtain licensure, with the exception of some vets who work for state or federal government agencies. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all states require a passing score on the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. Many states also require passage of an additional examination that covers state laws and regulations, and some require a test of clinical skills.
Before beginning to practice, recent graduates might choose to undertake a 1-year internship, which can provide an opportunity to strengthen necessary skills and might lead to better paying positions later on. New veterinarians who wish to specialize in an area like internal medicine, dentistry, oncology or dermatology may opt to complete a 3- to 4-year residency program and then test for board certification in their specialties