After successfully graduating from veterinary school, it’s time to obtain the necessary licenses to practice. Many veterinary students take the national board exam after their didactic training is completed.
Aspiring veterinarians from all U.S. states (as well as Canada) are required to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.4 This exam is administered by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA). It consists of 360 multiple-choice questions that test your clinical competencies.4
In addition to passing this exam and obtaining national licensure, you will need a state license. Certain veterinarians employed by federal or state governmental agencies may not need a state license, although these represent only a small portion of the actively practicing veterinarians in the U.S.5
You will need to follow the licensing procedures established by the licensing board for the state in which you plan to practice. In general, you can expect to take another licensing exam, as well as submit proof of your eligibility to take the test. Be aware that because few states have reciprocal agreements with other states for veterinary licenses, you will likely need to take another licensing exam if you decide to move to another state and continue your veterinary practice there.
Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers the STEM education that aspiring veterinarians need to gain admittance to veterinary school. Two popular degree options are the Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine degree and the Bachelor in Biology With a Pre-Veterinary Medicine Degree Emphasis. Regardless of which degree you choose, you can anticipate graduating with strong competencies in math and science, as well as other important skills such as communication and ethical leadership.
Fill out the form on this page to begin planning your future at GCU.
1Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital. (2023). Are There Different Types of Veterinarians? Retrieved May 5, 2023.
2 VIN Foundation. (n.d.). I Want To Be a Veterinarian. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
3The GRE® General Test. (n.d). ETS. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
4NAVLE. (n.d.). International Council of Veterinarian Assessment. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
5Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (Feb 24, 2020). National Veterinary Accreditation Program. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
Approved by a biology instructor on July 11, 2023.