Job requirements Small Animal Veterinarian in Canada

Employment requirements

This is what you typically need for the job.

• Doctor of veterinary medicine
• Two years of pre-veterinary university studies or completion of a college program in health science and a four to five year university degree in veterinary medicine and successful completion of an examination leading to a national certification are required.
• A provincial licence to practice is required.
• Veterinary specialists
• Completion of a degree in veterinary medicine and three to four years of additional postgraduate studies or residency program in the specialty of their choice are required.
• Veterinary specialists must be accredited by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) or the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). In Quebec, they must be accredited by the Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec and only 18 specialties are recognized.
• A provincial license to practice is required.
• Research veterinarian
• Two years of pre-veterinary university studies or completion of a college program in health science and a four to five year university degree in veterinary medicine and successful completion of an examination leading to a national certification are required.
• Entry into research positions may require postgraduate study.
• A provincial license to practice is required.

Source National Occupational Classification

Professional certification and licensing