A licensed veterinarian who has received additional training in a specific area of animal medicine or with a specific species of animal is known as a veterinary specialist. The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes 20 specialty organizations in the United States, including those for radiology, pathology, emergency medicine, and other fields. To become a veterinary specialist, you must first complete veterinary school, then continue your education with internships and residencies in the specialty area. Exams for board certification in the specialty area are usually required as well.
It can be difficult to be accepted into veterinary school. During your undergraduate studies, demonstrating a high level of achievement in pre-veterinary and other courses will help you gain acceptance to a school and, eventually, become a veterinary specialist. Interning, volunteering, or working with animals in a position such as a veterinary assistant or aide can help you stand out from the crowd when applying to schools. Most veterinary schools require admissions tests, and professor and job supervisor letters of recommendation are also required as part of the admissions process.
Externships allow you to gain experience in a variety of specialty areas while in veterinary school. Externships are typically short programs that give you hands-on experience in a specialty field and help you decide which area of veterinary medicine you want to specialize in. If you want to work with non-domestic animals, for example, you can apply for externships at zoos and other facilities with wild animal collections to gain experience.
After graduating from veterinary school, passing your board exams, and receiving your license as a doctor of veterinary medicine, you have a few options for pursuing a career as a veterinary specialist. You have the option of immediately entering practice and gaining experience as a veterinarian or applying to a veterinary specialty program. Admission requirements for veterinary specialty programs vary, but in general, strong grades in veterinary school and prior experience in the specialty area or with the animal species are required.
Completing a rigorous residency training program that has been approved the governing specialty organization is usually required for specialty veterinary education. Specialty programs have different requirements and lengths of training. Credentialing may include peer reviews of your published research works, your résumé and background, letters of recommendation, and other items, followed board testing, after training is completed. You will be recognized as a specialist in your veterinary discipline after you have passed your board exams.