Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
All states and the District of Columbia require that veterinarians be licensed. To obtain a license, applicants must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine and pass a state board examination. The D.V.M. degree requires a minimum of six years of college consisting of at least two years of preveterinary study that emphasizes the physical and biological sciences and a four-year veterinary program. Most successful applicants to veterinary programs have completed four years of college. The majority of states allow an individual to apply for licensure upon receiving the D.V.M. degree without a residency and without completing a prescribed number of hours of practice. For research and teaching jobs, a master's or Ph.D. degree usually is required. Veterinarians who seek specialty certification in a field such as opthalmology, pathology, surgery, radiology, or laboratory animal medicine must complete a three-year residency program and pass an examination.

Job Outlook:
Employment of veterinarians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. The number of pets is expected to show a steady increase because of rising incomes and the movement of baby boomers into the 3459 year age group, for which pet ownership is highest. Pet owners may also more willingly pay for more intensive care than in the past. In addition, emphasis on scientific methods of breeding and raising livestock and poultry, and continued support for public health and disease control programs will contribute to the demand for veterinarians. Jobs will also open as veterinarians retire. It is estimated that there will be at least 58,000 veterinarians by 2005.

Sources of Additional Information:

For more information on careers in veterinary medicine and veterinary technology, write to: