Veterinary medical education is expensive. However, students in veterinary programs are often able to obtain guaranteed student loans from the Federal Government to help meet educational expenses. A small number of veterinarians receive their training in another country. To meet State licensure requirements, foreign-trained veterinarians must fulfill the English language and clinical evaluation requirements of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates. About one-third of all applicants pass this examination.
Most veterinarians begin as employees or partners in established practices.
Those who can afford the substantial investment needed for drugs, instruments, and other startup costs may set up their own practices. An even greater investment is needed to open an animal hospital or purchase an established practice. Newly trained veterinarians may qualify for civilian jobs with the U.S. Government as meat and poultry inspectors, disease-control workers, epidemiologists, research assistants, or commissioned officers in the U.S. Public Health Service. A license usually is not required for Federal employment. Job Outlook Employment of veterinarians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2000, primarily because of demand for veterinary services.