How to Become a Veterinarian in Mississippi

Mississippi is a wonderful state in which to practice as a veterinarian. Many animals are here, and several veterinary establishments and research facilities constantly need qualified veterinarians.

Of course, the key word here is qualified, and to obtain such qualifications, candidates are expected to follow a few steps and meet a few requirements. In case you happen to be curious about what these steps are, the sections below have all the answers to your questions.

First, we begin by laying out the steps in the journey before focusing on the licensure and certification requirements. We also include a few prominent, accredited veterinary medicine programs that candidates may enter to acquire the necessary education to start their careers.

Steps to Become a Veterinarian in Mississippi

The following are the steps involved in becoming a veterinarian in Mississippi.

Spend 4 Years in College

After finishing high school, all aspiring veterinarians in Mississippi are expected to complete a regular college program. The goal in college for future vet students is to earn a bachelor’s degree and then secure admission into a veterinary school.

They are also advised to take advantage of their time here to build desired qualities, such as taking up leadership roles and building interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Spend 4 Years in Vet School

To receive the skills needed to practice as a veterinarian, candidates must spend 4 years in an accredited veterinary program. Candidates can enroll in programs anywhere in the country and even outside the country as long as they are credited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Veterinary programs ensure that candidates receive strong preparation in theoretical areas such as medical terminology and introduction to veterinary practice while also receiving hands-on training and real-world experience through clinical rotations.

Pass the National Licensing Examination

The national licensing examination for veterinarians is the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Future veterinarians must pass this exam before calling themselves professionals in the field.

The state jurisprudence examination, of course, is different from the NAVLE.

Specialize

Even though they don’t have to, specialization for veterinarians can open up career opportunities. Some prominent options to consider in this regard include small-animal veterinary medicine, large-animal veterinary medicine, zoo veterinary medicine, exotic-animal veterinary medicine, and more.

Consider Careers with Similar Paths:

• How to become a veterinary assistant in Mississippi

Licensure and Certification Requirements

Veterinarians in Mississippi who have completed the steps above can acquire a state license after paying a licensing fee of $200. They are to submit their application to the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine.

They should also be prepared to participate in a jurisprudence exam and provide proof of citizenship or alien status.

Once licensed, professionals are expected to maintain and renew their licenses annually by participating in 15 hours of continuing education.

Top Veterinary Schools in Mississippi

Currently, there are no AVMA-accredited training programs inside the state of Mississippi. However, aspiring veterinarians in the state may look to the following destinations for high-quality, accredited training.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinarian Schools in Tennessee

Salary & Career Outlook

Veterinarians in Mississippi who have just received their licenses earn less than those who have been on the job for some time. Currently, the highest-earning veterinarians in the state take home an annual average salary of $179,516, while the lowest-earning veterinarians take home an annual average salary of $89,201.

The most common, however, are those in the middle, with an annual average salary of $126,543.

Along with experience, other factors, such as location and specialty, play big roles in influencing how much a veterinarian in Mississippi takes home at the end of each year.

Focusing on location alone, we find that Biloxi is the city with the highest pay for veterinarians in the state. Veterinarians here earn an annual average salary of $149,938. Other notable destinations are Jackson, which has an average annual salary of $138,226, and Mississippi State, which has an average annual salary of $129,491.