Today's people treat their pets like family. Pets are no longer home pets. People feed them, celebrate their birthdays, and care for them like their own children.
With this love comes responsibility. When a pet gets sick, every family wants the best treatment and care. This is where trained veterinary doctors play an important role.
If you are an Indian student aspiring to become a veterinarian, you must ask yourself the question of where you can build your career.
Should you study and work in India, or should you move to the USA or UAE?
The requirements, costs, exams and timelines for becoming a licensed veterinarian vary from country to country.
Let's look at the process in all three countries.
NOTE: Please be aware that licensing requirements are subject to frequent changes. When applying, please check with the official body of the country regarding the current requirements.
India
India has a simple process for students who want to become veterinary doctors and legally treat animals. The Veterinary Council of India (VCI) manages the registration process.
This is how it typically works:
- Complete a B.V.Sc & A.H. degree from a VCI-recognized university.
- Register with your State Veterinary Council.
- After state registration, apply to be listed in the Indian Veterinary Practitioners Register maintained by the VCI.
- Submit your degree certificate, mark sheets, ID proof and registration fee.
- Registration certificate is usually issued within around 30 days.
Compared with the USA and UAE, the process is usually easier for vets who complete their veterinary degree in India. India does not have a separate national licensing exam like the NAVLE in the USA. The primary qualifications are having a recognised veterinary degree and registration.
USA
The USA has a longer process for veterinary graduates from non-American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited schools, including most Indian veterinary colleges.
The usual path is:
- ECFVG or PAVE (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates or Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence) – verify the equivalency of veterinary education.
- Pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE)
- State License – Get a veterinary license from the state where you want to work.
- The ECFVG route also includes an English language test, BCSE exam, NAVLE, Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE), and state-specific requirements.
- This is expensive too. ECFVG registration costs about USD 675, and the Quality Assurance Program costs another USD 725. The cost of the CPE is more than USD 12,800.
- The total amount spent can be $16,000-20,000 or higher when you include documentation, English testing, visa, travel, and exams.
- It is the most costly and time-consuming of the three. However, it can lead to a long-term veterinary career in North America.
UAE
The UAE follows a different path. It focuses more on document verification and work experience than exams. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) manages the licensing process.
International students typically require:
- A recognised veterinary qualification
- Attested academic documents
- UAE degree equivalency
- Attested work experience documents
- Employer and visa documents
- The required MOCCAE licensing exam or process
Experience is important. It takes approximately 5 years of hands-on experience following graduation for non-UAE nationals to obtain a full license to diagnose and treat animals.
The UAE is much cheaper than the USA. The MOCCAE professional license costs around AED 2,500 for the first issue, with renewal costing about AED 500 per year. Other costs include degree equivalency, document attestation, translation, and visa fees.
The USA generally pays more, but with it come higher taxes and living expenses. The UAE has no personal income tax, which can make take-home pay attractive. However, housing, insurance, flights, and working hours should also be considered.
Conclusion
It takes a lot of planning to become a licensed vet abroad as compared to practice in India. There are different requirements, costs and rules in each country. India is good for new graduates, the USA is good for those who are ready for a lengthy licensing process and the UAE is good for experienced vets. It all depends on the position you are looking for in your veterinary career.
