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Veterinarians are physicians who care for animals.
Even though Veterinarians are licensed at the state level through the State
Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the exam required before applying for
licensure must be taken through the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
(NBVME). This eight-hour test that requires a 90% passing score is called the North American
Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). Most states also require successful completion of an
an additional jurisprudence exam.
Another requirement for licensure in all
states is successful completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD)
degree from one of the 28 schools in America accredited by the American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA), as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
Some of those institutions are:
University of California at Davis
University of Florida
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ohio State University
Michigan State University
Common coursework includes classes in biochemistry, animal biology, animal nutrition,
genetics and zoology. In most states, continued education is required for licensed veterinarians.
The AVMA does extensive research to help find new cures and treatments for animal
diseases, which becomes textbook material for students. Various states have
various other requirements.
One out of five licensed vets, according to the U.S. Department of Labor,
is self-employed. Many vets work for federal, state or city government.
Some of the government entities that hire veterinarians include the U.S. Armed Forces,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The National Library of Medicine,
The U.S. Public Health Service and State Fish and Game Agencies. In some cases,
working for the government allows for exemption from veterinary licensure.
