How to Become a Veterinarian: Education, Career Path and What the Job Is Really Like

Becoming a veterinarian typically involves completing college prerequisites, earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree, and becoming licensed. Veterinary school usually takes four years. Many students first complete a four-year bachelor's degree, making about eight years after high school a common path, but most U.S. veterinary schools do not require a bachelor's degree. There is also no required undergraduate major as long as you complete the prerequisites for the veterinary schools where you plan to apply. 

Key Points

• Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and help prevent health problems in animals, but careers also exist in research, public health, food safety, government, and other fields.
• Veterinary school generally takes four years and leads to a DVM or VMD degree.
• Most U.S. veterinary schools do not require a bachelor's degree, although many applicants earn one.
• There is no required pre-vet major; your major itself is not an admissions factor.
• Veterinary-school prerequisites vary by institution, so students need to research individual programs.
• Most U.S. veterinary schools require applicants to gain veterinary experience before applying, although most do not specify a required minimum number of hours.

If you love animals, becoming a veterinarian may sound like an obvious career choice.

But veterinarians need much more than an interest in animals. They diagnose disease, interpret tests, make treatment decisions, perform procedures, communicate with animal owners, keep medical records, and sometimes handle emergencies or difficult end-of-life decisions.

And not every veterinarian treats dogs and cats. Veterinary careers also exist in research, public health, food safety, government, wildlife, livestock medicine, and other fields.

So what does it actually take to become one?

What Do Veterinarians Do?

Veterinarians care for animal health and also contribute to public health. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, their work may include examining animals, diagnosing illnesses and injuries, ordering tests, prescribing medication, performing surgery, vaccinating animals, advising owners, conducting research, and helping protect the food supply.

Veterinary medicine also extends well beyond companion-animal clinics. Veterinarians may work with:

• pets
• horses and livestock
• zoo, wildlife, and exotic animals
• research and laboratory animals
• public-health and food-safety programs
• government agencies
• universities and other educational settings

AAVMC notes that veterinarians contribute to public health through disease control, food safety, research, and other work connecting animal and human health.

The type of veterinary career you pursue therefore affects both what you do and where you work.

How to Become a Veterinarian

There isn't one identical route for every student, but the U.S. career path usually includes these steps.

1. Build a Strong Foundation in High School

Veterinary medicine is science-intensive. AAVMC recommends high school preparation that includes biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, English, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Public speaking can also be useful because veterinarians need to communicate complex information clearly.

You don't need to build your entire veterinary-school application in ninth grade. Focus on developing strong academic skills and finding out whether science and animal health genuinely interest you.

2. Get Experience With Animals and Veterinary Medicine

Spending time around animals can help you learn whether animal-related work interests you. But prospective veterinary students should also gain experience with veterinary medicine itself.

AAVMC recommends animal experiences such as volunteering at shelters, farms, zoos, rescues, or other organized settings. It separately defines veterinary experience as clinical, agribusiness, or health-science experience completed under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Most U.S. veterinary schools require applicants to gain veterinary experience before applying for admission, according to AAVMC. Shadowing, assisting, or volunteering with a veterinarian can also help you understand what the profession actually involves before committing to veterinary school.

AAVMC also notes that most veterinary schools do not require a specific minimum number of veterinary-experience hours. The amount and type of experience expected can vary, so check each veterinary school's current requirements.

These experiences can help you answer an important question:

Do I enjoy veterinary medicine itself, or do I primarily enjoy being around animals?

3. Go to College and Complete Veterinary-School Prerequisites

You do not need to major in “pre-vet.”

AAVMC's 2027 applicant guidance states that your undergraduate major is not a factor in veterinary-school admissions. Animal science and biology are common among applicants, but students can choose another major as long as they complete the required prerequisite courses.

You also do not necessarily need a bachelor's degree. AAVMC says most U.S. veterinary schools do not require one, although completing a four-year degree before veterinary school is a common path.

The more important question is:

Can I complete the prerequisites for the veterinary schools I'm considering while pursuing this major?

Do You Need a Bachelor's Degree for Vet School?

Not always.

AAVMC states that a bachelor's degree is not required at most U.S. veterinary schools.

However, BLS notes that applicants typically have a bachelor's degree, often in a field such as biology.

So a four-year undergraduate degree followed by veterinary school is a common pathway—but not the only possible one.

4. Research Individual Veterinary-School Requirements

Veterinary schools do not use one universal set of prerequisite requirements.

Depending on the school, required coursework may include biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or statistics, biochemistry, writing, and other subjects. Schools may also have different policies for AP/IB credit, community-college courses, and online coursework.

AAVMC recommends using the Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR) directory and individual veterinary-school websites to check current requirements.

Research schools early enough in college that you still have time to complete the courses you need.

5. Complete Veterinary School

Veterinary-school graduates earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent professional veterinary degree, such as a VMD.

Almost all U.S. and Canadian veterinary medical programs take four years. The curriculum combines classroom and laboratory study with clinical training, and the later portion of the program typically includes extensive clinical experience.

Some veterinarians pursue additional training after graduation to specialize in a particular area of veterinary medicine.

6. Become Licensed

Graduating from veterinary school doesn't by itself allow someone to begin practicing independently.

Veterinarians must meet licensing requirements.

The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is required for licensure in veterinary licensing jurisdictions throughout the United States and Canada. 

States may have additional requirements, so veterinarians need to check the rules of the jurisdiction where they intend to practice.

How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Veterinarian?

About eight years after high school is a common path:

4 years of undergraduate education + 4 years of veterinary school = about 8 years

But eight years is not universal.

Most U.S. veterinary schools do not require a completed bachelor's degree, so some students enter after finishing the required college prerequisites. Others take longer because of gap years, additional coursework, or specialty training.

Veterinary school itself generally takes four years. The total time depends on your undergraduate path and whether you pursue additional training.

What Is Being a Veterinarian Really Like?

Loving animals is only one part of the job.

You work with people constantly. Veterinarians explain diagnoses, discuss treatment options, answer questions, and sometimes help families make difficult decisions.

The work can be emotionally difficult. BLS notes that veterinarians may care for abused or seriously ill animals, perform euthanasia, and support distressed owners.

Schedules vary. Most veterinarians work full time, often more than 40 hours per week, and some work nights, weekends, or emergencies.

The work can also be physical. Animals that are frightened, injured, or in pain may bite, scratch, or kick, and some veterinarians travel or work outdoors.

The profession therefore requires communication, decision-making, problem-solving, compassion, and physical as well as mental stamina.

How Much Do Veterinarians Make?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $130,100 for veterinarians as of May 2025.

BLS projects veterinarian employment to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,100 openings per year on average over the decade. Actual pay varies by location, employer, experience, and type of veterinary work.

What Can You Do in High School if You Want to Become a Veterinarian?

You don't need to build a perfect “future veterinarian” résumé. Use high school to determine whether the profession fits you.

Build your science foundation. Take biology, chemistry, physics, and math seriously. Enrolling in a STEM pre-college course is a great way to build your science skills in high school.

Get exposure to veterinary work. Shadow a veterinarian, volunteer with animals, or explore settings such as shelters, farms, zoos, or rescues when appropriate. AAVMC specifically recommends both animal and supervised veterinary experience.

Ask realistic questions. Talk with veterinarians about their typical day, difficult parts of the job, education, communication with owners, and what they wish they had known before entering the profession.

Explore the science behind animal health. Courses in biology, anatomy, genetics, or other health sciences can help you determine whether you enjoy studying living systems and disease, not only being around animals.

Students can also explore Prelum's pre-med and health-related resources for related science and health subjects.

Is Becoming a Veterinarian Right for You?

Veterinary medicine may be worth exploring if you enjoy animals and science, medicine, problem-solving, communication, hands-on work, and continually learning.

Don't choose the career solely because you love animals. Ask whether you are also interested in the realities of diagnosing illness, communicating with owners, making difficult decisions, and caring for sick or injured animals.

Job shadowing, volunteering, science courses, and conversations with veterinarians can help you decide whether veterinary medicine deserves your next step.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Veterinarian

Last reviewed by Ashley S. on 11/2/2026