Job requirements Companion Animal Veterinarian in the Toronto Region

Find out what you typically need to work as a companion animal veterinarian in the Toronto Region. These requirements are applicable to all Veterinarians (NOC 31103).

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

Ontario

If this occupation is regulated, you may need to get a professional license from a regulatory authority before you can start working. Licensing can be compulsory or voluntary, depending on the occupation.

  • If the licence is compulsory, you must be certified before you can practise the occupation and use the professional designation.
  • If the licence is voluntary, you don’t need to be certified to practise this occupation.

Find out if this occupation is regulated and contact the regulatory authority to learn about the certification process.

Do you want to work in another province or territory?

If you are already certified to work in a regulated occupation in your province or territory, it will be easier for you to have your certification recognized in another province or territory. See the Workers Mobility's website to learn more.

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