How Long Does it Take to Become a Veterinarian? 

Whether becoming a veterinarian has been a dream of yours since early childhood or an interest that sparked later in life, it’s likely rooted in a deep love of animals. That probably means you’re committed to working as a vet—no matter the requirements.

Still, the practical side of you may be wondering, “How long does it take to become a veterinarian?”

Timelines for completing veterinary school and joining the field as a licensed veterinarian can take anywhere between seven and nine years. However, your exact timeline may vary depending on your undergraduate program, whether you attend school full-time or part-time, and whether you choose to gain certification in a specific specialty. 

Fortunately, this article will go over everything you need to know about how much time you should expect to spend obtaining the veterinary education, licenses, and certifications you’ll need to start practicing. Keep reading to learn more.

The First 3 to 5 Years: Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree 

What education is required to be a veterinarian? Before you can apply for veterinary school, you’ll need to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Many students finish their undergraduate degree in four years, though the usual range is between three and five years.

While you can theoretically pursue any undergraduate degree ahead of vet school, you might be asking yourself, “What bachelor’s degree is needed for veterinary school?” The best bachelor’s degrees for potential veterinarians include:

• Pre-veterinary medicine
• Animal science
• Zoology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Instead of a bachelor's degree, after receiving your high school diploma or GED, you could get an associate's degree upon the completion of a 2-year American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program from a community college, college, or university. With this associate's degree, you could become a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician, but you will need a bachelor’s degree if you want to become a fully licensed veterinarian.

The Next 4 Years: Veterinary School and Licensure

A bachelor’s degree permits you to apply to any one of the 33 accredited veterinary schools in the U.S. according to the American Association of Veterinary Colleges. Once you’ve been accepted, you can earn your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) in around four years.

To graduate from vet school and earn the veterinary license you need to practice, you must also take and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Successful completion of this exam allows veterinary students to practice veterinary medicine in any U.S. state, as well as in Canada. 

Due to the difficulty of this exam, prospective veterinary students will want to spend plenty of time studying in order to avoid having to retake the exam and delay licensure.

Taking More Time: Optional Internships and Residencies 

After veterinary school, many graduates enter into an internship to hone their skills in a professional environment. Internships offer new vets the opportunity to learn various on-the-job skills. They typically last a year or more.

Vets who hope to specialize in a particular area of veterinary care may also choose to complete a residency. Residency programs typically take two or three years to complete. There are dozens of veterinary specialties to choose from; for example, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) lists programs like:

• Avian
• Canine and Feline
• Dairy
• Exotic Companion Mammal
• Reptile and Amphibian

If your veterinary profession path is leading you toward a specialization, keep in mind that many veterinary specialties require official certification from the ABVP. Obtaining a specialty certification can take up to three years, on top of your post-secondary schooling.