What degree do you need to be a veterinarian?

A doctorate in veterinary medicine is the next step in a veterinarian's educational journey. You must complete your doctoral degree at one of the country's accredited veterinary medical schools. It typically takes four years to complete the full program.

The academic training consists of laboratory and classroom work. The last year of veterinary medicine school includes clinical work, a time when you get the chance to study, examine and treat animals firsthand.

Once you've entered your DVM program, you'll study subjects including:

• Veterinary practice

• Animal health and disease

• Veterinary psychology

• Gross anatomy and physiology

• Disease prevention

• Radiology

• Parasitology

• Pharmacology

Once you have your DVM degree, then you will need to get licensed. State laws require that you take and pass a licensing examination created by organizations such as the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. There are 360 multiple choice questions on the examination.

The maximum amount of time you have to finish the test is 7.5 hours. Areas covered on the test include analyzing injuries, treating diseases, laboratory procedures, and diagnostic imaging.