Veterinarian Schools in North Dakota

Veterinarians in North Dakota must be able to diagnose and treat animals while also being proficient in prescribing preventative measures to ensure these issues don’t arise again. Some veterinarians may also dedicate time to researching diseases and devising innovative solutions.

Regardless of their career path, the state of North Dakota has specific requirements for anyone wanting to start a career as a veterinarian. In the following sections, we analyze all of these requirements in a way that is easy to understand.

We also examine possible annual earnings for veterinarians in North Dakota and projections for the field in the upcoming decades.

How to Become a Veterinarian in North Dakota

The following is an overview of how to start a career as a veterinarian in North Dakota.

Fundamental Preparations

Preparing to become a successful veterinarian in North Dakota begins in high school. Applicants must maintain a high GPA and choose electives in animal science and related courses. Maintaining a high score on the SAT or ACT exam is also important.

Completing an Undergraduate Program

Before they can enter a veterinary school, interested candidates must have completed an undergraduate program. Some veterinary schools are particular about the course a candidate chooses for their bachelor’s degree. They may be partial to students with bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry, animal science, zoology, or related fields.

Others don’t care.

Applicants are also advised to participate in extracurricular activities that may give them an edge during the admission process into vet school.

Completing Vet School

Veterinary schools can be completed in 4 years and contain all the instructions needed to become successful veterinarians. At the beginning of their studies and through the first three years, candidates will learn classroom instructions in animal physiology and anatomy, parasitology, ophthalmology, animal behavior, and more. Towards the latter end, they can participate in clinical rotations for hands-on experience.

Before they complete vet school, students are also expected to pass the national licensing exam known as the NAVLE — North American Veterinary Licensing Exam.

Career Placement

Lastly, veterinarians may choose to specialize in a particular field and receive supervised experience in this area before securing full-time job placement. Some popular specialty areas include small animal, large animal, equine, zoo, and mixed practice veterinary medicine.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a veterinary technician in North Dakota

Top Veterinary Schools in North Dakota

Below are some accredited training programs for aspiring veterinarians in North Dakota.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinarian schools in Montana

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners expects candidates who have completed an accredited program to receive a license before they can start working as professional veterinarians. They must pay a total of $165 in fees, which includes $75 for their application and $90 for the annual license fee.

Candidates must renew their license annually through 24 hours of continuing education in the past two years. The state also offers a temporary license that costs $205.

Applicants are expected to submit their transcripts and show proof of citizenship or alien status before they can be licensed, but they are not expected to provide professional references.

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of a veterinarian in North Dakota may be around $66,692. However, this figure only reflects those who are among the lowest-paid in the state and does not confirm what professionals will earn over their careers.

After starting at this point, many can scale their earnings through factors like experience and location. Ultimately, they are able to climb their way up to the median earners, who enjoy an annual average income of $98,552, and sometimes even up to the highest-paid, who manage an annual average salary of $145,633.

A survey of veterinarians in the state revealed that Fargo and Bismarck are where professionals take home the highest annual average incomes, with figures of around $99,003 and $82,037 per year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions for the career outlook are very positive. The organization expects the employment rate for veterinarians in the country to increase by at least 19% in the next 10 years.