Veterinarian: bachelor's, 4-year DVM at an AVMA-accredited college, NAVLE, state license
Veterinarians must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college of veterinary medicine, usually after a bachelor's degree, then pass the NAVLE and get a state license. Most states add their own exam on state laws, and few accept other states' licenses.
For: Science-strong students who love animals and can handle long training and emotional cases.
Route 1: Bachelor's → DVM → NAVLE → state license Every state
Admission is competitive. Colleges require many science classes (biology, chemistry, animal science) and some prefer experience with animals on a farm, at a stable or in a shelter.
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Start here
High school: biology and chemistry
BLS
Veterinarians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Usually 4 years
Bachelor's degree, e.g. in biology
BLS
Veterinarians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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4 years
DVM at an AVMA COE-accredited college
About 3 years of classroom, lab and clinical work, then a final year of clinical rotations.
BLS
Veterinarians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
NAVLE
360 multiple-choice questions in about 7.5 hours; $825 in the U.S. and Canada; three testing windows a year.
NAVLE detailsICVA
Get Ready for Exam Day (NAVLE)International Council for Veterinary Assessment- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
State exam on veterinary law
BLS
Veterinarians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Goal
State veterinary license
Vets working for state or federal government may not need one.
Veterinary licenseBLS
Veterinarians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Route 2: Graduate of a non-accredited or foreign veterinary school ECFVG or PAVE
Graduates of non-accredited programs can sit the NAVLE through one of two equivalency programs.
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Start here
Veterinary degree from a non-AVMA-accredited school
ICVA
NAVLE Application ProcessInternational Council for Veterinary Assessment- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Equivalency
ECFVG (after the BCSE) or PAVE (after the QSE)
ICVA
NAVLE Application ProcessInternational Council for Veterinary Assessment- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
NAVLE, approved by a licensing board
$1,220 if tested outside the U.S., its territories and Canada.
ICVA
NAVLE Application ProcessInternational Council for Veterinary Assessment- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Goal
State veterinary license
BLS
Veterinarians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- Specialty certification
Optional · Voluntary - Shows competency in areas such as animal husbandry, health and welfare, and facility administration.
BLS
Veterinarians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.