To become a vet in the US, you usually earn a bachelor's degree, then a 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at an accredited college, and pass a national exam and, in most states, a state licensing exam. In the UK, you complete a veterinary degree approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), which usually takes 5 to 6 years, and register with the RCVS.
The routes are different lengths but both are competitive. In the US, one licensing detail catches people out if they plan to move between states.
The US facts come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and the UK facts from the National Careers Service, both read on 26 October 2026. This is a careers guide about training and licensing, not animal health advice.
US and UK routes compared
| United States | United Kingdom (England) | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | 4-year DVM or VMD at an accredited college | RCVS-approved veterinary degree |
| Usual length of vet school | 4 years, after a bachelor's degree | 5 to 6 years full time; 4 years for some graduate entry courses |
| Entry | Competitive; many science classes required | Highly competitive; interviews and screening tests at most universities |
| Licensing | National exam, plus a state exam in most states | Register with the RCVS |
US pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $130,100 a year |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $73,920 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $215,700 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 91,100 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 9%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 3,100 on average |
Those US pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
The US route, step by step
- Earn a bachelor's degree, typically in a science such as biology, with chemistry and animal science classes. Most programs also want maths, humanities and social science.
- Get experience with animals. Some colleges prefer applicants who've worked on a farm, at a stable or in an animal shelter.
- Complete the 4-year DVM program: about 3 years of classroom, laboratory and clinical work, then a final year of clinical rotations.
- Pass the national exam, and the state licensing exam in most states.
The UK route, step by step
- Get the grades: usually 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English, maths and science, and 3 A levels including biology and chemistry.
- Build work experience with animals, which helps your application.
- Apply for an RCVS-approved veterinary degree. Many universities offer a foundation year first.
- If you already have a related degree, such as biomedical sciences, look at 4-year graduate entry courses.
- Register with the RCVS once you qualify.
The National Careers Service also notes that you can apply to join the Army Medical Service while at university and train as a veterinary officer.
The US detail most people miss: licences rarely transfer
BLS says few states accept licences from other states, so US vets usually have to take the exam for each state they want to practise in. Each state's exam covers its own laws and regulations. Vets working for state or federal government may not need a state licence at all.
So if you're likely to move, or want to work near a state border, budget time for more than one state exam.
What the job is like
- Most US vets work in private clinics and hospitals; veterinary services employ 83% of them.
- Vets who treat horses or farm animals travel to farms and ranches and work outdoors in all weather.
- The work can be emotionally stressful, and there's a risk of bites, kicks and scratches from frightened animals.
- Most work full time, often more than 40 hours a week, with some nights, weekends and emergencies.
If you're interested in the business side of practice, our guide to veterinary practice management software covers the systems clinics run on, and these ChatGPT prompts for vets help with client communication.
How to strengthen your application
Entry to vet school is competitive in both countries, so the application matters as much as your grades. Three things make a difference. Work experience with animals comes first: UK universities want it, and some US colleges prefer applicants who've worked on a farm, at a stable or in an animal shelter. Science grades come next, especially biology and chemistry. And in the UK, prepare for interviews and screening tests, which most universities use.
If you don't get in first time, the UK foundation year and the 4-year graduate entry route are both worth looking at, and in the US a stronger science record from your bachelor's degree can help a second application. More time working with animals helps too, whichever country you apply in, and it shows admissions teams you understand what the job involves day to day.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
My verdict
Becoming a vet is a long, competitive route in both countries: a bachelor's plus a 4-year DVM in the US, or 5 to 6 years of RCVS-approved study in the UK. The US median of $130,100 and 9% growth make it a strong career once you're through. Get hands-on animal experience early, because both systems value it, and if you're in the US, choose your state carefully, since licences rarely transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a vet?
In the US, usually a bachelor's degree plus a 4-year DVM. In the UK, a full-time veterinary degree usually takes 5 to 6 years.
What qualifications do you need to become a vet in the UK?
Usually 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English, maths and science, and 3 A levels including biology and chemistry.
Do vets need a licence?
Yes. US vets must be licensed by their state after passing a national exam, and UK vets register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Can a US vet licence be used in another state?
Rarely. BLS says few states accept licences from other states, so vets usually take the exam for each state.
How much do vets make in the US?
BLS reports a median of $130,100 a year for veterinarians in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Is there a faster route to becoming a vet in the UK?
If you already have a related degree, such as biomedical sciences, you may be able to take a 4-year graduate entry veterinary degree.
